NCJ Number
170760
Journal
Security Management Volume: 41 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 23-24,26
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The increasing use of security volunteers along with paid security employees and contract security for major events requires that security managers handle volunteers with care and ensure that they feel like respected team members.
Abstract
Major events ranging from a church festival to the Olympic Games can rarely be successful without the assistance of volunteers in all phases, including security. The successful use of volunteers requires that security managers make the experience as pleasant as possible for the volunteers. Managers should streamline the orientation process to show volunteers that each person's time is valued. The company should give volunteers good-quality uniforms and equipment. Uniforms become keepsakes; volunteers also appreciate tokens with the organization's logo. Excellent volunteers can be recruited from school groups, senior citizen organizations, and other service-oriented organizations. Volunteers include corporate-sponsored volunteers, persons with a previous association, enthusiasts, and those with special training or experience. Each type should receive different recruitment, training, uniforming, and deployment. Security managers must consider the experience, age, physical abilities, and time available when employing and training volunteers. Volunteers should receive meals and breaks on time and not be overworked. Volunteers who are properly recruited, uniformed, trained, and led will work hard. However, they will quit, sometimes in family units or groups, when their time is wasted or they feel unappreciated. Illustration