What Security Officers Need to Know

Below is a real-world incident with important lessons for security officers, supervisors, and company leadership, especially those working in hospitals and other controlled-access environments.

What Happened

Early Monday morning at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, two private security guards were arrested and charged with obstruction of governmental administration. They had prevented NYPD officers from entering a psychiatric ward after an officer inside the unit called for assistance.

According to reports, one of the guards refused to open the secured doors until he received approval from a supervisor. Both guards were arrested and later issued desk appearance tickets.

Why This Matters

This incident highlights a tough reality many security officers face every day. Sometimes, doing exactly what you were trained to do can still put you at legal risk.

Security officers are expected to control access, protect vulnerable populations, and follow post orders. At the same time, law enforcement expects immediate access during emergencies, especially when another officer is in distress.

Adding to the challenge, there has been increased tension nationwide around law enforcement access at hospitals. In a separate incident less than two weeks earlier, NYPD detectives reported being denied access at another New York hospital after allegedly being mistaken for federal ICE agents. With heightened ICE enforcement activity, officers at entry points are often unsure who they are dealing with, making split-second decisions even more difficult.

The result is a high-pressure environment where hesitation, even when well-intentioned, can be viewed as obstruction.

What Security Officers and Companies Can Learn

Clear Rules for Law Enforcement Emergencies

Post orders should clearly spell out when security officers must grant immediate access. This should include officer-in-distress calls, credible threats to life, and confirmed emergency responses by law enforcement. In these situations, emergency access should override normal verification and approval steps.

When the rules are clear, officers are not left guessing.

Real-Time Support and Technology

No security officer should have to handle an emergency alone.

Access control systems, cameras, and communication tools can help verify law enforcement credentials quickly. A Security Operations Center can monitor events as they unfold and give direct guidance to officers on the ground. This removes pressure from individual guards to make high-risk judgment calls without support.

Technology is not about replacing officers. It is about backing them up when seconds matter.

Supervisor Access and Decision Authority

Supervisors must be reachable at all times. Just as important, officers should be given limited authority to act during emergencies when supervisors cannot be reached immediately.

Officers should never feel trapped between following post orders and being accused of blocking law enforcement. Clear escalation authority protects everyone involved.

Training That Reflects Reality

High turnover in the security industry makes deep scenario training difficult. That means training has to be practical, simple, and reinforced often.

Decision guides, mobile tools, and quick-reference procedures can help officers navigate emergencies when stress is high and time is short. Training should focus on what to do when things do not go according to plan.

Coordination Before an Incident Happens

Many of these issues can be reduced through coordination ahead of time.

Security companies should work with their clients to align expectations around emergency access. Local law enforcement should understand facility-specific procedures. These agreements should be documented and reflected in post orders so officers are not caught off guard during real incidents.

Legal and Employment Considerations

Incidents like this can create serious exposure for both officers and companies.

Criminal charges may fall outside standard liability coverage, but companies should confirm that their insurance includes a duty to defend against claims related to hiring, training, or supervision. If officers are disciplined or terminated after following company policy, there may also be employment-related risks.

Strong documentation of training, post orders, and coordination efforts is often the best protection.

The Bottom Line

Security officers are working under more pressure than ever at access points across the country. With limited training time and growing uncertainty around law enforcement interactions, clear guidance and real-time support are essential.

When emergency procedures are not clearly defined and officers lack immediate backup, companies risk legal action, lost clients, and damage to their reputation. Most importantly, officers are left exposed while trying to do their jobs.

At CBI Security, protecting our officers means giving them clear rules, the authority to act when needed, and the support to make the right call under pressure.