A security guard or security officer is usually a privately and formally
employed person who is paid to protect
property, assets, and/or people. Often, security officers are
uniformed and act to protect property by maintaining a high visibility presence to deter illegal and/or inappropriate actions, observing (either directly, through patrols, or by watching
alarm systems or
video cameras) for signs of
crime, fire or disorder; then taking action and/or reporting any incidents to their client, employer and
emergency services as appropriate. Since at least the
Middle Ages in
Europe, the term watchman was more commonly applied to this function.
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