Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Hospitals & Medical Centers

The Debate over Arming Security Officers in a Hospital Situation

healthcare 3 responsive default
December 14, 2015

Should security officers be armed in a hospital situation? The place where people come to get better is also a high risk area open to the public. The webinar, The Debate over Arming Security Officers in a Hospital Situation, presented byJim Sawyer, Director of Security Services for Seattle Children’s, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of arming security officers in hospitals, how to provide authentic customer service and what it means to be “zero tolerance” versus “zero incidents.”

“Is violence preventable?,” Sawyer asked. “In most cases, yes, it is. Yet, only 1 in 5 employees report it.”

Sawyer discussed the relationship between alcohol and guns, that heavy drinkers are more likely to be violent. Yet, most people with gun permits are decent people, he noted.

The one mistake that is made about workplace violence is minimizing the potential for violence when it’s right in front of us, Sawyer said. “We don’t take it seriously. If you profile the average violent person, it’s someone who is a white male, is loner, may have drug history, who hates authority and boundaries, and who will drift from job to job. Is this always accurate? No, it’s not, but there are some characteristics that are common that you want to teach your staff.”

Sawyer also discussed the signs of violence, including pacing, finger pointing, sweating, and breathing changes, and again, urged attendees to teach staff these signs. He also discussed the Rule of 5, which is to use 5 words in a sentence and 5 letters in a word that he believes will de-escalate a violent situation.

Sawyer named verbal warning signs of violence, which includes:

  • Threat of suicide or self-harm
  • Intimidating others
  • Commentary about hurting animals
  • Talks of seeing red
  • Boasts about prior violence

Nonverbal warning signs include:

  • Finger pointing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Making fists
  • Sweating
  • Standing toe to toe
  • Staring at you
  • Flaring nostrils

“Look for clusters of these behaviors,” Sawyer said, “Four or five of them, and if see that cluster, take action.”

While Seattle Children’s does not arm its security officers, Sawyer discussed the advantages of arming them in a hospital situation. “Advantages include stopping an active shooter, as active shootings have gone up; the fact that an armed presence can increase staff confidence; and if done right, you can build high-quality security officers.”

However, Sawyer said that disadvantages include the liability that is associated with arming officers, the possibility a gun being stolen, high training costs, and increased record keeping. “Your training for security officers will have to rival that of police officers,” he said.

“In addition to 300 hours annually of training, you must provide de-escalation training, as well, because if you hand someone a gun it changes the environment’ it can intimate a patient or it can anger them. Look at the crime around your area, and consult with your local law enforcement. Talk to area local hospitals and your peers, do a risk assessment, hire carefully and look at paying those armed security officers better,” he said. “Finally, have your legal counsel vet your training program and your policies and procedures.”

What can be done instead of arming an officer? “Take a zero incidence philosophy; or consider a mix of policies such as having a licensed police officer on site, particularly within the ER; and develop strong 911 ties,” Sawyer said. “If you do arm your security officers, consider the parking lot and the ER, as crime in those two areas is on the increase.”

Read Jim Sawyer’s 12 Methods to De-Escalate Violent Situations here. 

View the webinar on demand here. 

KEYWORDS: healthcare security hospital security security officer

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Logical Security
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    New Security Technology
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

November 17, 2025

SECURITY 500 Conference

This event is designed to provide security executives, government officials and leaders of industry with vital information on how to elevate their programs while allowing attendees to share their strategies and solutions with other security industry executives.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Howard Knee

    Wage War: The Fight Over Security Officers' On-Call Compensation

    See More
  • Unarmed Security Officer

    The role of unarmed security officers in active shooter response

    See More
  • Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, Indiana - Security Magazine

    Is Armed Security the Key to Better Hospital Safety?

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • Physical-Security-and-Safet.gif

    Physical Security and Safety: A Field Guide for the Practitioner

  • security book.jpg

    Security Investigations: A Professional’s Guide

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing