Upfront, i must say i do not like security guards, BUT there is a need for them. they lack training in law enforcement and subdueing criminals. not that’s said, lets go to your question.
I was the head of security(part-time) for a large department store. this store only used off-duty police officers and not security gurards. a very bad neighborhood.
Next door to my department store was a grocery store. the secuity guard there and i had become pretty good friends. i knew he had not had the proper training for the job he was doing for $9.00 an hour. his main duty was to keep shoplifters from running out the front door with beer and meat. one night, there was a lot of commotion at the grocery store. i could see my security guard friend standing in the parking lot. he was pale and had peed in his pants. i asked what happened? he said a man and woman ran out the front door with an armload of steaks. i ran after them. the man pulled a gun on me and pointed it at my chest. he pulled the trigger twice, but nothing happened. they escaped. this man was scared to death and quit that night.
This is just one case of security guards not being paid enough and not having enough training to attempt to stop thieves.