Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SECURITYOFFICER TRAINING
VERSION HISTORY
It is important to keep track of changes and developments of this training manual. Please note
below when any change is made and what the change consisted of.
Page 2 of 22
PSC Training Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1.0 Exterior Patrol – Bike Patrol...........................................................4
2.0 Maintenance of Bicycles...................................................................4
2.1 ABC Quick Check.................................................................................................................................... 4
3.0 Crashes...............................................................................................5
3.1 Avoiding Motorist Errors....................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Instant Turn.............................................................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Quick Stop.................................................................................................................................................. 7
5.0 Nutrition..........................................................................................12
6.0 Rules of Patrol.................................................................................12
7.0 See and Be Seen...............................................................................14
8.0 Protecting Your Bicycle Against Theft..........................................15
9.0 Exterior – Vehicle Patrol................................................................15
9.1 Patrol Vehicle Rules.............................................................................................................................. 16
9.2 Parking Areas......................................................................................................................................... 18
9.2.1 Handicapped Zones........................................................................................................................................ 18
9.2.2 Service Areas and Deliveries...................................................................................................................... 18
9.2.3 Trash Compactors........................................................................................................................................... 18
9.4 Traffic Accidents.................................................................................................................................... 19
Page 3 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 4 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Make sure that your crank bolts are tight; lube the threads only, nothing else.
Check your chains for wear; 12 links should measure no more than 12 1/8 inches.
If your chain skips on your cassette, you might need a new one or just an adjustment.
4. Quick is for quick releases
Hubs need to be tight in the frame. Your hub quick release should point back to ensure
that nothing catches on it.
Inspect brake quick releases to ensure that they have been reengaged.
5. Check is for check it over
Check for bicycle cleanliness, condition of flag, reflectors, lights and reflective lettering.
Take a quick ride to check if derailleurs and brakes are working properly.
Inspect the bike for loose or broken parts; tighten, replace or fix them.
Pay extra attention to your bike during the first few miles of the ride.
3.0 Crashes
If you spend a lot of time on bicycle patrol, especially if you are around automobiles in the mall
parking lot, you will probably encounter a situation where you have to stop quickly, make an
evasive turn, protect yourself from being harmed by a motorist, or avoid a pedestrian.
On average, 60% of the time, motorists are at fault when there is a crash between a bicycle and
an automobile. Therefore, it is essential that you take great care to keep yourself safe. You
should know and practice the following tactics for avoiding a crash with a motorist.
Page 5 of 22
PSC Training Manual
3. Crossing
Motorists may not recognize a cyclist's right to the road and pull out in front of them.
Do not ride so far to the right that you are not in the motorist's normal scanning area.
Announce your presence loudly to try and get a motorist's attention before they move.
4. Prevention
Always wear your properties approved bicycle patrol security uniform to make
yourself more visible day and night.
Learn to recognize when motorists will turn and when they will wait.
Ride predictably where you will be seen and always wear a helmet.
PSC policy requires that you always wear a helmet when on the bicycle.
5. Assert yourself
Plan to take your right of way, but be prepared to act to avoid collision.
Use hand signals, your voice, lights, anything to get the attention of motorists.
1. Emergency
If a car turns right while you are next to it, you will have to turn, stop, or hit it.
If you don't have your hands on the brakes or just can't stop, you must turn.
The Instant Turn is faster than a normal turn but requires practice.
2. Handlebar Jerk
The first move is to quickly jerk your handlebar LEFT for a split second.
This sudden move will make the bike lean to the right and set up your turn.
It's important that you do not turn to the left, only your handlebar should move
briefly.
3. Turn
After your bike is leaned to the right, you must lean in and initiate the turn.
Remember that there might be an obstruction around the turn; pay attention.
Coming close to the car is OK as it would result in only a glancing blow rather than a
full-fledged wreck.
Page 6 of 22
PSC Training Manual
4. Pedal position
Your right foot should be in the 12, 3 or 9 o'clock position to avoid hitting a pedal.
Pedal position is personal preference; make sure you are confident in your position.
Leaning hard on the outside pedal will help you maintain traction in the turn.
5. Avoidance
Avoiding this circumstance is the best way to ride safely.
Remember to take the entire lane if it is too narrow to share safely; your safety is up
to you.
You should learn and practice the instant turn and quick stop with your supervisor.
Page 7 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 8 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 9 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 10 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 11 of 22
PSC Training Manual
5.0 Nutrition
Your body needs fluids, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates to work. While riding, your body
needs more of these than it can store. Replacement of energy that you have used is necessary. A
balanced diet will do wonders for your body both on bike patrol and in your everyday life. You
will want to drink a lot of water when you expect to be on bicycle patrol because you will lose
more water during exertion than during normal activity.
Before your Bike Patrol, you should eat a low-fat, regular portioned meal such as a bowl of
cereal or a sandwich. You will also need to hydrate by drinking at least one 16 oz. bottle of water
before the patrol. In addition you will want to perform warm-up stretches for at least five
minutes prior to beginning your Bike Patrol.
During your Bike Patrol, you should maintain your body's water level by drinking water often;
one water bottle per hour. Consume low-fat snacks such as fruit or energy bars, and avoid eating
a big meal during the ride. Also stay away from any caffeinated drinks as they will act as a
diuretic and will result in you dehydrating much faster. Do not consume food in the view of the
public.
After your patrol shift, you should continue to hydrate; your body will be working overtime for
up to 24 hours.
Exterior patrol of the property and premises is a visual deterrent to potential offenders and
reassuring to mall patrons. The security bicycle allows you to cover large areas quickly.
Page 12 of 22
PSC Training Manual
When leaving the bicycle unattended, it should be parked in a safe place and locked
securely. Check with your Supervisor for correct locking procedures.
The security bicycle is never to be used as a pursuit vehicle, and you are never to
involve yourself in a chase for any reason.
o If you are found to be in disregard of this policy, you may be subject to immediate
disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The bicycle should not be
taken off the paved roadway or off the center property onto public roads without
authorization from the Security Director or center management personnel.
The bicycle is to be kept clean at all times. It is a visible representation of the Security
staff and you are encouraged to take pride in its appearance.
In order to avoid becoming distracted, officers should not consume food or beverages
while patrolling on the bicycle. Security officers must stop the bicycle to consume
water or food while patrolling on the bike. Food (nutrition/energy bars) may only be
consumed with the Security Director’s approval. Food may also not be consumed in
view of the public.
Do not attempt to use your radio while moving. Stop out of the path of other traffic
before attempting to radio base.
You are not allowed to carry a cell phone while you are on patrol.
Do not ride or patrol together unless specifically assigned to do so by the Security
Supervisor or center management. It is not PSC’s policy, nor practice, to allow any
riders on the bicycle for any reason.
You should frequently change your patrol routes and not establish a set pattern.
Predictable patrol habits invite criminal activity in other areas.
Riding a bicycle is an effective way to expand and enhance the basic exterior patrol activities at
your mall. You must always remember that you share the road with cars, trucks, pedestrians, and
other cyclists. Since accidents can turn a bicycling patrol into a bicycling tragedy, here are some
tips to help make your ride a safe one.
Protect your head.
Wear a helmet. Professional Security Consultants require that you wear a helmet
whenever you are on bike patrol.
Studies have shown that using a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 85%. Select a
helmet that has a snug, but comfortable fit. Look for the helmet labels that show that they are
Page 13 of 22
PSC Training Manual
recommended by either the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial
Foundation.
Page 14 of 22
PSC Training Manual
6. Fix It Up
Make sure that your bicycle is adjusted properly.
Your bicycle should be correctly adjusted to fit you; your feet should rest on the
ground while sitting in the seat.
Before using your bike, check to make sure that all parts are secure and working.
The handlebars should be firmly in place and the wheels should be straight and
secure.
7. Stop It
Check brakes before riding.
Control your speed by using your brakes.
If your bicycle has hand brakes, apply the rear brakes slightly before the front brake.
Remember to ride slowly in wet, slippery weather, and to apply brakes earlier since it
takes more distance to stop.
8. Don't Flip Your Bike
Wheels should be securely fastened.
Check wheels before every ride, after every fall, or after transporting your bicycle to
be sure that they are fastened and secure.
Make sure that tires are properly inflated.
Page 15 of 22
PSC Training Manual
of carrying additional equipment that potentially might be needed. Remember that the "zero
tolerance" policy for the property extends to the parking lots and parking decks.
NOTE: Supervisors should always assign zones when multiple vehicles are on patrol.
Page 16 of 22
PSC Training Manual
if available. Security officers shall not have food, beverage or tobacco materials in the
security patrol vehicle, except bottled water is allowed.
10. Security officers shall not have any personal cell phone present in the security patrol
vehicle nor use such while operating a security patrol vehicle.
11. Security officers shall not have personal electronic devices – personal stereos, music
players, computers, palm pilots, etc. – present in the security patrol vehicle nor use such
while operating a security patrol vehicle.
12. Security officers shall not operate the security patrol vehicle’s console radio while
operating the security patrol vehicle.
13. Security officers shall not have personal reading materials present in the security patrol
vehicle nor use such materials while operating a security patrol vehicle.
14. Security officers shall in all instances avoid driving the security patrol vehicle in reverse.
15. Security officers shall in all instances avoid dividing attention between driving the
security patrol vehicle in motion and other activities including, but not limited to,
surveillance, talking on the security radio, reviewing forms and documents.
16. Security officers must without exception make immediate notification by conversation to
the officer in charge or other department personnel up the chain of command of any
accident involving the security patrol vehicle.
17. Patrol security officers must deploy a department issued traffic cone approximately 6 feet
in front the vehicle and another approximately 6 feet behind the vehicle, except when the
vehicle is parked in a mall designated parking stall in a parking aisle. Parking cones must
be deployed whenever the security patrol vehicle is parallel parked or parked in a dock
area or along a curb. In the event of an emergency situation, the officer does not have to
deploy the cones when parking.
18. When parking a security patrol vehicle, security officers shall position the vehicle so that
it can be driven forward as opposed to reversed when operation of the vehicle is resumed,
unless the vehicle is parked in a mall designated parking stall in a parking aisle.
19. Security officers who operate patrol motor vehicles shall participate in and successfully
pass a security patrol vehicle Ride Along driving inspection conducted by a department
leader or Field Training Officer once during driver safety training as part of course
completion, once each month for the 2 months following this training to equal 2
additional Ride Along and then 1 time each year afterwards.
Page 17 of 22
PSC Training Manual
20. While on patrol in the security vehicle, no two (2) vehicles will be found together in
conversation unless authorized by Supervisor.
Page 18 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Page 19 of 22
PSC Training Manual
Fishing
Swimming
Boating or ice skating on retention ponds
Off-road motorcycling or ''four-wheeling" on peripheral property
Roller skating, skate boarding on sidewalks
Go-carting, mini-bikes, scooters, or other unlicensed motor vehicles in parking areas or
on peripheral property
Solicitation of any kind, including merchandise sales, posting or distribution of handbills,
etc.
Dumping of any kind.
Please be aware of:
Your mall's rules regarding pets
Your mall's code of conduct and prohibited activities
If you observe unauthorized activities on the mall property, you should check with the mall
office to see if permission has been granted for such activities. Otherwise, you should request the
participants desist promptly and refer any questions or objections to mall management.
Page 20 of 22
PSC Training Manual
LEFT TURN
STOP
RIGHT TURN
Page 21 of 22
PSC Training Manual
SNUG
Choose a helmet that fits snugly all around your head and use the inside pads to adjust for fit and
comfort. Your front and rear straps should form a “Y,” just below each ear. Your straps should
be pulled until tightly but comfortably up against your skin (able to slide a finger under the
strap).
LEVEL
Your helmet should be level, not tilted forward or backward or more on one side or the other.
Take a look in the mirror to check that it is level.
LOW
Your helmet should sit squarely on your head with the front of the helmet low on the forehead,
just above your eyebrows.
Check your helmet and fit by looking in a mirror. Gently rotate the helmet on your head, front to
back & side-to-side, noticing the skin in your brow area. If the fit is comfortable, and the skin
moves with the helmet, you have a proper fit.
Page 22 of 22