What Is an Unarmed Security Guard?

If you're a business owner looking to protect your business or someone considering a career in security, it’s crucial to understand what an unarmed security guard actually does.

Unarmed security guards are one of the most common and versatile types of security personnel and for most businesses and events in Sacramento, they're all you need.

What Is an Unarmed Security Guard?

An unarmed security guard is a trained security professional who protects people, property, and assets without carrying a firearm. They maintain a visible presence, monitor for suspicious activity, control entrances and exits, and respond to incidents using communication and de-escalation skills rather than force.

Despite not carrying weapons, unarmed security guards play a significant role in deterring crime, maintaining order, and providing a sense of safety for employees, guests, and the general public.

What Do Unarmed Security Guards Do?

Unarmed security guards handle a range of responsibilities depending on the client and environment. Common duties include:

• Patrolling locations - conducting regular foot or vehicle patrols to monitor for suspicious activity
• Access control - managing entry and exit points, checking credentials, and preventing unauthorized access
• Surveillance monitoring - watching security cameras and reporting anything unusual
• Incident response - responding to disturbances, accidents, or emergencies and contacting law enforcement when needed
• Guest assistance - providing directions, answering questions, and maintaining a welcoming but secure environment for patrons and visitors
• Documentation - writing detailed incident reports for accurate event recall

The common thread across all of these duties is prevention over enforcement. Unarmed guards are trained to observe, de-escalate, and alert, not to physically intervene beyond what is safe and legally permitted.

Where Do Unarmed Security Guards Work?

Unarmed security guards work in a wide range of settings. In Sacramento, common environments include:

• Bars and nightclubs - crowd control, ID checking, and managing disruptive guests
• Corporate offices - access control and monitoring building security
• Retail stores - loss prevention and deterring shoplifting
• Residential communities and HOAs - patrolling neighborhoods and monitoring entry gates
• Events and festivals - crowd management, perimeter security, and guest safety
• Schools and conferences - maintaining order and ensuring participant safety
• Weddings and private events - providing a professional security presence without disruption, especially in the presence of alcohol

If your business or event involves people and property, especially if there is alcohol on location, unarmed security guards are the right fit and sometimes required to be present by the law.

Unarmed vs. Armed Security Guards: What's the Difference?

The most obvious difference is the firearm, but the distinction goes deeper than that.

Unarmed security guards:

• Rely on presence, communication, and de-escalation
• Create a friendly atmosphere, better for customer-facing environments
• Are typically less expensive to hire
• Are the right choice for most businesses, events, and venues

Armed security guards:

• Carry a firearm and are trained in its use
• Are appropriate for high-risk environments and high leverage situations like banks, cash transport, or government facilities
• Require additional licensing and training in California
• May create a more intense atmosphere not suited to all settings

Do You Need Unarmed Security Guards for Your Business or Event?

Here are some situations where hiring unarmed security guards in Sacramento makes sense:

• You're hosting a public or private event with a large number of attendees
• Your business experiences theft, vandalism, or disruptive behavior
• You need someone to manage access to your property or building
• You want to provide a safe, professional environment for employees and customers
• You're running a bar, nightclub, or venue with alcohol service

If any of these apply, professional unarmed security guards can make a significant difference. Get a free quote and we'll put together a security plan that fits your needs.

How to Become an Unarmed Security Guard in California

If you're looking to start a career as an unarmed security guard in California, here's what you need to do:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Pass a criminal background check through the California DOJ and FBI
3. Complete the required 8-hour BSIS training covering Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force — this must be done before applying
4. Apply for your guard card through the BSIS BreEZe portal at breeze.ca.gov
5. Complete Live Scan fingerprinting using the official Security Guard Request for Live Scan Service form
6. Complete an additional 32 hours of training within your first 6 months on the job

For a full breakdown of the 2026 BSIS requirements, read our California guard card requirements guide.

Get Started in Security with Securing Communities

At Securing Communities, we offer in-person guard card training in Sacramento that satisfies the full 8-hour BSIS requirement in a single day for just $80. After completing training you can apply immediately through BreEZe and start your path to becoming a licensed unarmed security guard in California.

We also hire guards who complete training with us. If you're looking for work after getting your guard card, check out our open positions.

Hire Unarmed Security Guards in Sacramento

Securing Communities provides professional unarmed security guards for businesses and events throughout the greater Sacramento area - including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, and Roseville.

Our guards are BSIS-licensed, trained in de-escalation and emergency response, and experienced across a wide range of environments from nightclubs to large-scale conferences and events.

Get a free quote and let us build a security plan that fits your specific needs.