Optimizing Guard Patrols
Security patrols, most commonly performed by foot patrol, are completed to maintain the security and safety of the premises, as an act of due diligence and for compliance purposes.
Patrols have designated checkpoint areas that the security guard must check/inspect in any order along their route. These checkpoints will dictate the guard’s path on the patrol, ensuring an effective sweep of the premises.
Guards will look for a variety of elements and circumstances, including:
Water leaks or damage
Safety hazards such as slipping & tripping hazards, obstructed stairwells etc.
Breach of access control
General housekeeping
Odour
Noise levels
Proper lighting
Fire stopping
Deficient or obstructed electrical panels
Suspicious activity
And more….
Patrols are a vital component of a security guard's role, but they can take up a lot of time so you’ll want to ensure that the process is as optimal as possible.
Optimization – the action of making the best or most effective use of a situation or resource.
With this in mind, how can guard patrols be optimized?
The checkpoints along a guard’s patrol can be quite extensive — digital solutions can help manage and ensure the checkpoints are visited and inspected. Digital inspections tools provide an overview of real-time inspection statuses so you always have a pulse on your facility's inspections, including those that are near-due, due, or overdue. Inspectors are also provided a full review of the remaining checkpoints to ensure that none are missed. The remaining checkpoints allow the guard to keep track of locations they still need to visit, allowing them to change up the patrol route so they’re not memorized by outsiders, while at the same time, ensuring that no locations are missed.
If any deficiencies are found along the patrol route, inspectors can submit detailed notes and photos, and the appropriate personnel are instantly notified through automatic workflow and escalation, enabling a quick resolution.
Inspections of the checkpoint locations are time stamped, dated and indicate who they were performed by, contributing to sound documentation and due diligence; this also helps supervisors with performance management as it’s easy to see performance of individual contributors such as those who frequently miss checkpoints.
Additional benefits of digital inspection tools for guard patrols include:
Assistance finding locations through maps and pins, helping guard navigate large complexes or hard-to-find locations such as sub-levels
Inspection guidance so guards know what needs to be inspected at each location
Insights on patterns and trends through analytics — this can be helpful in identifying high-traffic areas, areas that require additional attention or may pose a threat, seasonal issues, and can even help with identifying when to schedule additional staff
The documentation process during patrol and post-patrol are significantly optimized by digital inspection tools and provide many added benefits that pen & paper or ‘pipe systems’ cannot provide, allowing for more time to be spent on critical responsibilities that enhance the safety of the facility.
If you think your guard patrols can be optimized by a digital solution, contact us at customerservice@tapreport.io for more information.
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