What are the Core Duties of a Tactical Security Guard?

Tactical security guards protect high-risk locations and serve as beacons of community support and safety for those they protect. These security guards receive specialized training to handle a wide variety of scenarios and challenges while building trust in the communities they protect. Tactical guards work closely with local businesses, residents, and law enforcement to create safer environments for everyone. In this blog, we'll explore the core duties of tactical security guards and how they help maintain safety while building community connections.

What is Tactical Security?

Tactical security guards provide a higher level of protection for high-risk environments and locations requiring additional security measures. These guards wear distinctive uniforms, including full vests and gear, creating a strong presence that serves as a strong deterrent to potential criminals. Tactical security guards receive specialized training that enables them to provide a more robust level of protection than standard uniformed security guards. At Blackbird Security, our guards prioritize peaceful, verbal conflict resolution with an emphasis on de-escalation. 

1. Protecting and Supporting Communities

Tactical security guards are an important presence in community support and social programs, particularly programs located in areas that experience security challenges or programs that serve vulnerable communities. In addition to preventing and responding to incidents within community programs, tactical security guards actively support outreach teams and help connect individuals with available resources and services. 

We at Blackbird Security are proud to partner with community organizations, including the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Market, Ontario’s Operation Sharing, and BC Housing, to provide tactical security services and help marginalized community members. The additional training undergone by tactical security guards equips them with the tools they need to support both staff and community members at organizations like the ones listed above. 

2. Protecting Retail Businesses

Tactical guards often serve as retail security guards, providing enhanced protection while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Typically, tactical security guards are used in stores that experience a higher rate of incidents or are located in areas with high crime rates. 

Tactical guards respond swiftly to aggressive or violent incidents to protect staff, customers, and merchandise. Their uniforms and equipment provide a visible deterrent to potential criminals. When necessary, they follow procedures and protocols to conduct safe arrests while working in collaboration with other loss prevention security guards to prevent theft.

In retail environments, tactical security guards are often the first people customers and site staff see upon entering a store. At Blackbird Security, all of our security team members prioritize a customer service approach to security, ensuring they function as an extension of our clients’ teams. Throughout our training process, we emphasize professionalism, communication skills, and techniques for calmly handling situations. 

3. Prevention and De-escalation

While tactical security guards wear full vests and gear that visually communicate authority, their primary focus is peaceful conflict resolution. Blackbird Security guards will always choose to de-escalate a situation as much as possible before using physical measures as a last resort.

Security guards often build a rapport with the communities they protect and real relationships with the individuals within those communities. Building relationships, rather than relying on intimidation and force, can help tactical security guards proactively prevent incidents from escalating and help lead positive community change. 

4. Collaboration with Law Enforcement and First Responders

Tactical security guards often work closely with local law enforcement to maintain community safety. When serious incidents take place. security guards are often the first to dial 911. From there, they coordinate communication and provide detailed documentation and evidence to support police investigations. 

Additionally, all Blackbird Security guards receive Standard First Aid training, allowing them to provide potentially life-saving help before first responders arrive on the scene. When EMS crews arrive, tactical security guards will ensure bystanders clear the area and will support medical teams as needed. 

The Blackbird Security Advantage

Beyond the standard security training required to obtain a security license, and on top of the additional training undertaken by all Blackbird Security guards, tactical security guards undergo additional specialized training through our in-house Use of Force course provided by Blackbird Academy. This course teaches tactical guards to handle a wide variety of potentially dangerous security situations. 

Through our Use of Force course, tactical security guards learn a wealth of peaceful verbal de-escalation techniques as well as Canadian Law, which is critical when handling high-stakes scenarios as a security guard. While peaceful de-escalation is prioritized in real-world scenarios, tactical security guards learn physical techniques, including handcuffs and baton usage. This training equips them with the skills they need to provide top-level security services for our clients while protecting businesses and communities across Canada. 

Tactical security guards also take Blackbird Academy courses, including First Aid Training, Report Writing Excellence, Fire Safety Training, Customer Service Excellence, and more. Through this comprehensive training approach, our guards learn to handle high-risk situations professionally while prioritizing safety and community support. 

Partner With Canada’s Number One Tactical Security Service Provider 

We’re proud to safeguard businesses and community programs in top Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary. Whether it’s a store, a community feature, an event, or a construction site, our tactical security guards provide top-tier security services while fostering communities based on safety and support. Use the form below to contact us and learn how we can enhance your security strategy.