Unarmed security is often the best step for businesses and properties that need deterrence and basic compliance support. Most of the time, visibility will keep incidents low. When should businesses reconsider their approach and promote to commissioned security officers (CSOs)?
Unarmed vs. Commissioned Security
Commissioned officers are trained and licensed to operate in moderate-to-high risk environments. They are best when there is a higher likelihood of confrontation, escalation, or immediate danger.
These officers are trained to respond to aggressive or disruptive behavior. They can expedite the removal of disruptive persons by taking appropriate and lawful emergency action.
When It’s time to Escalate from NCSO to CSO
Many organizations start with unarmed security and later realize they need more protection. That transition often happens when the environment shifts from routine monitoring to active threat management.
Here are the most common scenarios where upgrading to CSOs is justified.
1. Repeated Trespassing Issues
If your site experiences repeated trespassing — especially after warnings — you’re no longer dealing with a “presence” issue.
Frequent unauthorized entry can lead to:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Property damage
- Confrontations with staff or residents
- Increased liability if someone gets hurt
Commissioned officers are trained and equipped to enforce boundaries more effectively and remove trespassers when needed.
2. Aggressive Individuals or Disorderly Behavior
When aggressive behavior becomes a pattern, the risk level shifts. The signs of escalation can include verbal threats, individuals refusing to leave, and escalating disputes in public areas.
A commissioned officer is trained to assess threat levels and intervene appropriately to protect others and reduce the chance of legal exposure.
3. Prior Incidents or Credible Threats
If an incident has already occurred, you can’t treat security as routine anymore.
This includes:
- Past violence or assaults
- Theft patterns
- Vandalism that escalates
- Threats against staff or leadership
- Harassment or stalking concerns
- Suspicious individuals returning
Prior incidents are often the strongest indicator that security needs to move from prevention to response readiness.
Read Our Blog: What Is a Threat and Vulnerability Assessment?
Why “Seconds Count” Matters
In moderate-to-high risk environments, you don’t always have the luxury of waiting.
When something escalates, time becomes the most important factor:
- How quickly can someone intervene?
- Can they lawfully remove a threat?
- Can they stabilize a situation before it becomes an emergency?
Commissioned Security Officers are trained for those moments when seconds count — the moments that can prevent injury, property loss, or large-scale disruption.
CSOs are trained to respond to higher-risk situations with professionalism and control. To learn more about how this service works and where it fits into a risk-based security plan, contact our office and see if high-risk protection is right for your operation.