Type of Guard Tours Systems

There are two types of guard tour systems in use:

Watchman's Clock System

The "watchman's clock" is the oldest type of guard tour system in use and has been around since the middle of the 19th Century. The watchman's clock is a circular device about eighth-inches in diameter and has an analog clock face on the front of it. The Watchman's clock is usually provided in a leather carrying case with shoulder strap which allows it to be carried by the security officer when on patrol. Inside of the watchman's clock is a circular paper dial. This dial is printed with markings that indicate each of the 24 hours in the day.

At Various along the patrol route, "key Stations" are installed. Each key station contains a large metal key that looks something like a skeleton key. Each key has a unique key number. The key is usually fastened to the key station using a metal chain to keep the key to be stored whennot in use.

When on patrol, the security officer stops at each station along the route, removes the key, and inserts it into the watchman's clock. Doing this causes the key number to be printed on the paper dial located within the clock. The key number is printed next to the marking on the dial which indicate the present time. This provides a record of which keys were used and at what times.

At the end each day, the paper dial is removed from the watchman's clock and replaced wiith a new one. The paper dials can be examined by the security manager or supervisor to determine if patrols were completed on time and that all stops along patrol route were properly made. The paper dials can be field away to provide a long-term record of all patrol activity.

Advantages of Watchman's Clock System

• Least expensive type of system
• Simple and easy to use

Disadvantages of Watchman's Clock System

• Limited number of key station can be used in system (usually 30 or less)
• Watchman's clock is fairly large and bulky to carry
• Paper dial must be changed every 24 hours
• No ability to create automatic reports
• No ability to provide incident codes to indicate abnormal conditions
• Long term storage of paper dials can be a problem
• Does not provide real-time reporting of officer's activity

Electronic Guard Patrol System

Electronic guard tour systems are similar in function to the watchman's clock system except use electronic rather than mechanical components. An electronic data gathering device, called a "wand", is used in place of the watchman's clock. The physical shape of the wand varies depending on the manufacturer, but is usually a small hand-held device in the shape of a pen or small PDA. The wand is carried by the security officer when on patrol.

"Checkpoint stations" are used in place of key stations. These stations contain some typeof device that can be read electronically and are in place of the mechanical key. Depending on the manufacturer and type of system used, a barcode, magnetic strip, or memory button may be used in the checkpoint station. Like key stations are installed at various points along the desired patrol route.

When on patrol, the security officer stops at each checkpoint station and scans it using the wand. This causes the location of the station as well as the current time to be recorded in the wand. Most electronic systems also allow the security officer to make a record of any abnormal conditions found at or near the checkpoint station. For example, if a checkpoint station was located at a door, and this door was found unlocked when checked by the security officer, he or she could enter a code indicating that the door was found unsecured. Depending on the system, this code can be entered either on a keypad located on the wand itself, or by scanning the appropriate code in an "incident booklet" that is carried by the officer.

At the conclusion of the tour or at the end of each shift, the security officer places the wand into a "docking station". This docking station is connected either to a printer or personal computer and is used to download information from the wand is downloaded into a computer database. This database can then sorted and various types of activity reports can be displayed on the computer screen and/ or printed.

Advantages of Electronic Guard Tour Systems

• Wand is smaller and easier to carry than watchman's clock
• Large or unlimited number of checkpoint stations possible
• Small size of checkpoint station allows them to be placed almost anywhere
• Provides ability to enter incident codes to indicate abnormal found when on patrol
• Much more complete and advanced reports can be created. Easier to indentify missed stops and abnormal patrol activity
• No need to store paper dials - system can store many months or years worth of activity on computer
• No need to change paper dial every 24 hours - data is downloaded automatically when wand is placed in docking station
• Ability to create random patrols with wand telling officer which checkpoint station is next patrol route (some systems)