How Event Security Guards Collaborate With Law Enforcement

A cohesive, communicative partnership between event security guards and law enforcement is essential in ensuring the safety and security of large-scale events. Both parties play a role in managing crowd control, preventing incidents, and responding to emergencies. In this blog, we’ll dive into how event security teams collaborate with law enforcement to create a safe event environment for attendees.

Blackbird Security event security guards collaborate closely with police officers at events

The Role of Event Security Guards

Event security guards are responsible for maintaining orderly conduct, enforcing venue rules, and ensuring events are safe for attendees and staff. Their duties can include performing bag checks, controlling access to event entrances, patrolling event property, and managing and directing crowds. Event security guards are the first line of defence for venues, identifying potential threats and taking action as needed to prevent issues before they escalate.

The Role of Law Enforcement

A local police presence will sometimes attend large-scale events, such as music festivals, or public events, such as community festivals, in order to ensure safety and provide an element of deterrence against misconduct. Police officers have the authority to make arrests at the scene, ensuring events are kept safe and laws are followed. At large events, they’re most often called upon to handle serious incidents such as criminal activity and violent altercations.

Communication and Coordination

Effective communication is critical for successful collaboration between event security teams and law enforcement personnel. Prior to the event, both parties typically communicate protocols, security plans, and establish lines of communication. During the event, security leaders maintain contact with law enforcement through phones, digital communication, or radios to ensure that information is relayed quickly.

Incident Response

In the event of an incident, security guards will assess the situation and, if required, provide pertinent information to law enforcement and secure the area until police arrive. For example, if security guards witness an assault, they may detain the suspect and/or immediately notify the police, providing a detailed description of the suspect. Once law enforcement arrives, the security guard will work closely with officers to relay information and evidence to allow police to make a report of the incident. This quick response helps to prevent further crime and ensures the situation is handled efficiently, professionally, and legally.

In addition to assisting with the police report, event security guards will create an internal report. At Blackbird Security, we use the reporting software Tracktik. Tracktik allows our clients to access real-time updates and information as they are reported in the field. These reports inform an event’s security strategy, allowing for a flexible approach to mitigate incidents.

Blackbird Security event security guards in Vancouver

Crowd Management

Large events draw significant crowds, which can present challenges to safety throughout an event. Security guards work closely with law enforcement to manage crowds, prevent overcrowding, and ensure that emergency exits and fire department access points are clear. In situations where crowd behaviour becomes unruly or dangerous, security guards and police officers may collaborate to safely disperse the crowd, de-escalate tensions, and prevent injuries.

Following the event, police officers may close nearby streets to traffic to allow attendees to safely access transit areas, parking lots, or taxi lines. Typically, large-scale events designate a single exit (usually the main entrance) for attendees to exit through at the conclusion of the event. When attendees begin to leave the event, event security guards will direct them toward the appropriate exit to ensure safety and order on the streets outside.

Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency such as a medical incident or fire, swift and cohesive collaboration between event security teams and law enforcement becomes even more critical. If law enforcement officers are not already at the event, security guards will be the first to respond to the incident, providing immediate assistance, dialling 911, and coordinating with first responders when they arrive on the scene. Their ability to quickly relay information, follow emergency protocols, and control tensions can make a significant difference in the outcome of the emergency.

Blackbird Security guards receive enhanced first aid training through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy. This allows them to facilitate first aid assistance for attendees prior to the arrival of first responders, providing potentially life-saving help in the event of a medical emergency. Learn more about how Blackbird Security guards provide first aid assistance in our previous blog, Security Guards As First Aid Safety Ambassadors.

Blackbird Security event security guards at community festivals

Partner With Canada’s Best Event Security Company

Ensuring a smooth and successful event involves a close partnership between hired event security guards and local law enforcement. Collaboration, communication, and coordination are all key to preventing and managing incidents. Through teamwork, both parties ensure that events are both enjoyable and safe for attendees and the general public.

Ready to partner with Blackbird Security for your next large-scale event? Get in touch with us through the form below to get started.

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