The core concept of StaffMinder is to prevent attacks and defuse hostile situations. Designed in partnership with some of our major clients, we were asked to provide a solution for customer facing staff who may experience unease when dealing with particular customers - well known offenders, for example.
Put simply, StaffMinder is a security concept that allows us to see, listen & talk to the premises.
So How Does It Work?
A StaffMinder Suspicion Button is installed on site in an easily accessible location. This button, when pressed, will activate the on site cameras and speakers associated with this button. An alarm is raised and is picked up by the ARC; experienced operators immediately connect to the premises and monitor the situation.
After a reasonable time, and depending on whether anything is seen, the ARC operator will make an announcement to site, asking if assistance is required. Experience has shown that if there is someone on site planning an attack, this can stop them in their tracks. Knowing that events are being monitored and recorded off site can be key to deterring would be offenders.
And of course, if the situation does develop into a full blown attack our operators will immediately contact the Police and report exactly what is going on.
StaffMinder Button vs Personal Attack Button
Let's make this very clear: StaffMinder is not designed to replace Personal Attack buttons on site. PA buttons play a major part when it comes to an armed robbery for example.
StaffMinder Suspicion buttons are there to be pressed when staff feel uneasy but do not have sufficient grounds to activate the Intruder Alarm Personal Attack button. A StaffMinder Suspicion button has been deliberately designed to look very different to a Personal Attack button - it is vital that the two are not confused....
Staff Comfort
The additional benefit with a StaffMinder system is that staff can feel reassured that if they feel uneasy believing that certain people on the premises are likely to cause trouble, particularly if they are working on their own, they can press the suspicion button and let experienced ARC operators monitor the situation and make the decisions.
This extra staff comfort can reduce staff turnover, thus reducing costs of recruitment and training, and can enable retailers to open their stores at all hours whilst protecting staff - it can even alleviate need for on site security.