"Professional security begins with professional conduct."
Patrol Techniques and Observation
Instructor Sele: A guard who sits at their desk is not a guard — they are a receptionist. Patrolling is active security. It is how you deter threats and detect problems before they become crises.
Section 1 — The Purpose of Patrol
Patrol achieves three things simultaneously: it deters would-be criminals who see an active security presence; it detects hazards, breaches, and suspicious activity; and it demonstrates to your client and to occupants that the post is actively protected.
Section 2 — Types of Patrol
Foot patrol — most common; allows close inspection of areas, doors, windows, and equipment. Vehicle patrol — used for large sites, perimeter checks, and quick response. Static observation — guarding a fixed point (entrance, vault, VIP area).
Section 3 — Patrol Principles
Vary your route and timing — a predictable patrol is a useless patrol. Criminals observe patterns. Use all your senses — look, listen, and smell (smoke, gas, chemicals). Check everything — doors locked, windows secure, lights working, hazards clear.
Use the SALUTE model when observing and reporting: Size, Activity, Location, Unit/Uniform, Time, Equipment.
Section 4 — Night Patrol Techniques
At night, use your torch to check shadows and blind spots. Walk quietly to maximise what you can hear. Do not silhouette yourself against light sources — this gives your position away and makes you a target. Stay alert. Fatigue at night is your biggest enemy.
- •Always vary your patrol route and timing to prevent predictability
- •Use SALUTE to structure your observations and reports
- •Check all access points, lights, and hazards on every patrol
- •Use all your senses — sight, hearing, and smell
- •Night patrols require extra discipline; never allow fatigue to lower your guard
"One of my best guards once smelled diesel fuel during a routine night patrol. He followed it and found a fuel tank with a slow leak next to a generator. If he had been walking and staring at his phone, that site could have burned down. Patrol with all your senses — not just your eyes."
Why should a guard vary their patrol route and timing?