In some countries, armed security isn’t just an option – it’s a requirement.
In much of the UK even the police aren’t armed let alone security. They have specially trained firearms officers, otherwise much of the police is gun free.
In Ontario, it is illegal for private security to carry a gun. Unless you’re with the police, security is required to be unarmed.
For the most part, the rest of the world shakes their heads in disbelief that security wouldn’t carry a firearm let alone all police officers.
Some people don’t believe they’re secure without a weapon as backup. Therefore if they’re hiring close protection security, they better stay close and they better be armed.
Now let’s think of it this way…. Say you’re someone of importance, or somewhere that you feel you need protection. What if something happens? There are a couple of options. Would you rather have your close protection officer – the person hired to keep you safe and protect you from harm – engage when trouble arises? Embarking on a battle with guns blazing and bullets flying? You’re no longer their main focus. This has shifted to their new targets which are the “bad guys”. They’re focused on returning fire or what have you from whatever direction it is coming from.
Or – would you prefer this person ensures you safe passage. Grabs you and takes you to safety. Dodging bullets but guiding you to where there is no danger. Maintaining you as their main priority, leaving the back up or the police to deescalate the situation.
You can’t really have it both ways. Short of James Bond protecting you, the odds of having someone engage a threat while maintaining you as their prime focus of concern are pretty slim.
While some people will assure you that they are experts in multi tasking, returning fire and running for safety while protecting someone else is a fairly tall order.
Watching all of the violent blood soaked scenes of Hollywood will hopefully not be your reality. Firstly – if you are what they are after and you’re removed from the scene, odds are things will deescalate fairly quickly on their own once you’re gone.
Second, even if things continue to heat up, if you’re not there, you don’t have to worry about being in further danger. A comforting thought for you and your family alike I’m sure. This sounds like getting your money’s worth.
You really would need to evaluate your priorities. While the thought of being in a fast action Hollywood type of situation may sound exciting, the reality is it seldom works out like it does in the movies.
There is a reason that Ontario does not allow security to carry firearms.
Security is there to do their job. Ensure locations – properties, buildings, venue, and people are secured. Everything and everyone is safe and secure.
Should the situation arise where a threat occurs or risks are encountered, Securities prime focus remains on the task they were hired for. Maintain the safety of individuals and get them to a secure location. Leave the retaliation and apprehension of the threat to law enforcement. Very much a you do your job and I’ll do mine sort of scenario.
If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, or course there are other job options you could pursue. Or perhaps moving to another country where the laws differ would work for you.
Or relish in the fact that if you’re tasked with ensuring the safe evacuation of someone, chances are greater that you too will enjoy another sunrise and sunset. Something that someone who is required to take action does not always have the luxury of having.
With every positive there is usually some drawbacks and with every negative there’s a silver lining. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.
For the time being, if you’re looking for security in Ontario, you can rest easy knowing that when you hire a security company – you’re hiring someone who will maintain you as their top priority. Regardless of what happens, whether it be nothing, or a high level action packed take down, your Close Protection Officer will maintain you as their prime focus.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent. She currently is on maternity leave and providing daily close protection for a baby and a toddler and spending time with her husband who is a Police Officer.