How To Complain About A Security Guard Incident

Written by Holly Savage

19th July 2021

Security companies often have strict guidelines for employees, and they will train them fully to ensure that they know how to effectively handle a number of different situations. And while most security guards follow the rules and their training, there may be the odd instance where they do not.

So, what should you do if you have to deal with a badly behaving security guard? Are you allowed to make a complaint about them? We’ll be discussing this and more such as how you should handle a security guard situation, and how to complain about a security guard incident.

How Do You Handle A Security Guard Situation?

If you do get caught up in an incident with a security guard, it is important to stay calm and walk away where possible so as not to get involved in an altercation. If you believe that a security guard has acted inappropriately, it is important to try and take note of the security guard’s name, badge number, or description so that you can make a complaint.

Can I Make A Complaint About A Security Guard?

Many people wonder if it is actually possible to make a complaint about a security officer, and the short answer is yes. If you feel like a security guard has not behaved as they should, it is important to put in a complaint about them so they can be held accountable.

how to complain about a security guard incident

How To Complain About A Security Guard Incident

There are many different ways that you can complain about a security guard incident. One way is through writing a complaint letter which can be sent to the SIA or business that has hired the guard. Another way to complain about a security guard incident would be by filing a form – which can be done through directly contacting the SIA themselves on their website.

How To File A Complaint Against A Security Guard

When you are filing a complaint against a security guard the best place to file your complaint would be the SIA themselves. When you are writing a complaint it is important that you include as much information such as when the incident happened, the security guard’s badge number, and what the guard did or said that made you uncomfortable.

One way you can do this is by contacting them on their website. If you already have an SIA online account, then you can easily make your complaint by clicking on the button to contact the SIA, and then selecting the make a complaint or request information section option.

If you don’t have an SIA account – you still will be able to make a complaint about a guard. Instead, you will have to use the SIA’s contact form to speak to them. You can also file a complaint to the SIA by writing a letter and posting it to them.

Complaint against security guard

How Do I Write A Complaint Letter About A Security Guard?

When you are writing a complaint letter about a security guard, it is important to remain factual and sincere, so that you get your complaint across without giving too much detail or repeating yourself too much. When starting the letter, make sure that you address who you are writing to – whether that be the head of the security firm, the business that has hired that guard or the SIA themselves.

When you are writing the letter make sure to include the date of when the incident happened, the name or a description of the security guard involved, and a clear step-by-step description of what happened, including anything that was said or any actions by the security guard in question. It is also a good idea to include the impact that the security guard had on you and what you would like to be done as a consequence of this incident.

It is also important that you include your contact details and full name, so the organisation that you are complaining to can respond to your complaint once they have completed their investigation or contact you if they have any further questions.

Who You Should Complain To

There are four main places that you can complain about security guards to – the Security Industry Authority, the security firm that the guard works for, the police or the business that has hired the guard. We have listed how to complain to each of these places in more detail.

 

Complaining To The SIA

If you, however, believe that a guard who is an SIA licence holder has acted out with the law, the SIA should be contacted as they actively want to know this. This information is used as evidence and is used to investigate the individual or individuals involved in accordance with the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) 2001.

Once the investigation has occurred, the SIA has the power to hand out enforcement actions if it feels that it is appropriate. Actions are communicated directly with the security staff involved, with the SIA not feeding back to the initial complainant. You can complain to the SIA by letter or through their website.

 

Complaining To The Police

If you are a member of the public and you believe that a guard has broken the law and has caused harm through assault or abuse – then you should contact the police themselves. The police will be able to investigate the criminal offence through the British legal system.

When you are contacting the police, it is important that you provide them with as much information as possible such as when the incident happened, what the guard looked like and what the guard did that you felt wasn’t right.

 

Complaining To The Business That Has Hired The Guard

If no crime has been committed, but you are still unhappy with the conduct of an individual security guard, then it is important to complain to the business that has hired them. You can easily contact a business via email or by ringing them and asking to speak to the manager about the guard.

 

Complaining To A Security Firm

You may complain to the security company directly, if you believe a guard has not performed their job correctly, or if they have used too much force and acted inappropriately. All security companies will have guidelines and standards that all employees must follow. If they are informed that a security guard has not met these, they will investigate and respond accordingly to ensure that their reputation stays intact and that they do not lose any important customers.

The best way to contact a security company to make a complaint would be by directly ringing them, emailing them or contacting them through their website. When you are speaking to the security company try to provide them with as much information as possible about the incident.

How to file a complaint against a security guard

How To Report A Security Company

Sometimes your issue might not actually be directly with a guard but with a security company instead. The best way to complain about a security company would be to contact the SIA themselves. This can be done through writing a letter or filing a complaint on the SIA’s website.

If you are reporting a security company to the SIA, you will need to believe that they are either breaking the law, they are committing a crime, or that they have staff working for them without a security licence.

Why Would You Need To Complain

There are many different reasons why you might need to make a complaint against a security guard or firm. Some of these are:

 

  • A security officer has acted badly.
  • A guard is using a licence that is out of date.
  • A guard is using a licence that has been stolen.
  • If a security firm has fake credentials.
  • If a security company states that they are on the Approved Contractor Scheme when they are not.
  • If a security firm lets guards still work when they have had their licence removed.
  • If a security company has employed a security guard who doesn’t have a valid licence.

So, How Do I Complain About A Security Guard Incident?

Overall, there are many different ways to report a security guard. If you believe a security guard has been threatening or has broken the law then it is important that you report them to either the police or the SIA.

If a guard hasn’t broken the law, but you are unhappy with the way that they have treated you it is important to report them to either the security firm they work for or the business that has hired them. When you are making a complaint, it is important that you provide as much detail as possible such as what exactly happened, what the guard did to make you feel uncomfortable, when it happened and a clear description of what the guard looks like.

If you are interested in reading more of the latest security guard news why not head over to our blog? Where you can find articles about what security guards are allowed to do and what they are allowed to carry.

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