Global Courant
San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Security guards play a crucial role in protecting property and people, but what happens when those who are supposed to keep order are involved in violence?
The recent case, which occurred three weeks ago and was recorded on video of a security employee who shot an industrial engineer several times in a shopping center in San Pedro Sula, sets the standard for the danger of leaving a weapon in the hands of a person subjected to stressful or impulsive situations.
Thus, several events can be enumerated that implicate private security personnel in the homicide of citizens who came to carry out procedures at banking institutions, to deliver to restaurants or to provide assistance in shopping centers and other activities.
The results shed light on the fine line between security and excessive violence.
In records of the Public Ministry (PM) who met LA PRENSA Premium there are a number of 22 security guards prosecuted for homicide (17) and murder (5) between 2017 and 2022. Four of these participated in events that occurred in San Pedro Sula and three in the Central District, the rest occurred in 14 more municipalities.
In this same time period, the Police captured 175 security guards nationally, most between San Pedro Sula, the Central District and El Progreso; all men and the majority between the ages of 28 and 44.
A prosecutor explained to this media outlet that the number of those arrested and the defendants do not match because, despite the police capture, there was probably no witness who observed the event and there were no elements linking the guard to the event.
In many of these cases, the guard was ordered released within 24 hours and no prosecution or accusation was filed because he acted under the protection of a defense of liability such as the legitimate exercise of his trade or even in legitimate personal defense when it is attacked in attempted robbery.
The most recent event dates from May 24 of this year, when an engineer, in charge of maintaining a store’s air conditioning, was shot at by a security guard who was waiting for him annoyed outside a shopping center in San Pedro Sula, after allegedly reporting it to his superior and for fear of being fired.
Another case of impact occurred on September 8, 2022, after arguing with a citizen, a pharmacy guard was captured in the Central America West neighborhood of Tegucigalpa.
While on June 1, 2022, a vigilante killed a merchant outside a cafeteria near the National Autonomous University of Honduras in the Sula Valley (Unah-vs) after apparently having a verbal confrontation. The case continues in impunity, because although an arrest warrant was issued, the guard fled.
dangerous situations
Violence in the workplace is a growing concern in various professions or trades, and security guards are no exception.
The combination of a hostile workspace, inadequate training, lack of resources and security measures, unfair treatment, and constant exposure to external violence can trigger violent responses from these workers.
A not isolated case is that of a security guard found dead and in mysterious conditions on June 1 on the ground floor of a commercial building in San Pedro Sula. Through a video it was verified that there was no entry of armed individuals and, although it was initially managed that he could accidentally detonate his weapon, it was verified that it was he himself who intentionally pulled the trigger, collapsing to the ground and dying immediately.
“Who dares to argue with an armed person? weapons empower anyone”: Rigoberto Fernández, private security specialist
Rigoberto Fernandezwith more than 35 years of experience directing security teams in the country, raised in an interview with LA PRENSA Premium the difficulties they experience as an industry and detailed that of the total number of security guards nationwide, 75% reached a sex degree and most are over 35 years of age.
The specialist emphasized that the security guard has been overloaded with customer service and is considered in many cases the last rung in a company, reducing it to the minimum.
“We are not going to defend the guards, but who argues with an armed person?” Martínez wondered, while recalling that “someone with a weapon is very different when they are unarmed; that is, the weapon empowers anyone, in addition to the lack of tolerance and emotional intelligence that exists ”.
The violent events reported in recent years have led the industry to worry more about training security managers and guards at the level of institutions, neighborhoods and neighborhoods, among other spaces.
Fernández clarified that, as in any field, security also has its informal environment, in this case, many of those who work guarding closed residential areas. He also mentioned that as an item they are looking to cover all their labor rights, including a fair salary; however, he said he was aware that companies find it difficult to pay accordingly. He pointed out that in his market there is a 24 x 24 work norm: “The public sees it badly, but the guard not so much, and although it seems inhuman, we must understand that we have to go for a regime like the Police or the Army , we cannot work eight hours”.
Between the lines, the businessman did not avoid referring to the trail of deaths that occurred at the hands of vigilantes. “It is such a misfortune that this weapon works when it is against a citizen and not against criminals. In the end, it seems to me that there should be tolerance between both parties,” he concluded.
pressures
One of the first patterns to identify to profile guards with a greater potential for violence is their conduct, as explained by the criminologist seyda gonzalez.
“From the moment you look at that person’s eyes or hear the greeting, you already have an idea if they can be sociable or aggressive, but if we look at a different behavior it is better not to enter into conflict,” he exemplified. The forensic academic also regretted that a large part of the guards have a low level of education, which in her opinion easily results in violence.
50,000 people work as security guards in Honduras, according to industry estimates.
“While it is true, they are hired to protect property, employees and visitors in establishments, many receive instructions about not letting certain poorly dressed people enter, for example, when it is not correct,” he said.
González questioned that in Honduras there are no risk mitigation strategies that protect these employees. “In part, the low pay they receive, the rent burden where they live, and extended families to support keep their nervous systems on edge,” he added.
”Not just anyone is given a weapon. Guards can develop various disorders”: psychologist Fabiola Lagos
the psychologist Fabiola Lagos He attributed these violent reactions to factors such as frustration, internal anger, and the country’s social and economic situation. Personality disorders, a picture of depression, behavior problems and associated changes in mood may develop.
“Dialogue must prevail, the problem is that the client also lacks respect and the guard is like everyone else, he has emotions. Do not think that it is easy to be in the heat of San Pedro Sula, loaded with debts and with many other problems at home”, said the mental health expert.
Lagos recommended that security companies carry out psychometric tests to find out their personality traits, sensitize the guard, allow them to develop soft skills to face daily life. He also advised improving communication, emotional intelligence, tolerance, customer service, respecting the value of life, and civil rights.
So far in 2023, one death involving a security guard has been recorded, as well as the capture of at least six private security employees.
