Pre-shift
Arrive 15 minutes early. Uniform check, radio check, key/BWV check, handover from the outgoing officer. Read the site diary — anything unresolved lands on your shift.
First four hours
Static positioning, access control, first patrols. Set the tone with visitors — polite, present, procedural. This block sets whether the shift stays quiet.
Middle of the shift
Breaks (that you actually take), report writing, tenant/contractor liaison. Real risk usually surfaces here as focus dips — deliberate patrols keep it in check.
Last four hours
Fatigue climbs. Structured patrols, hydration, radio check-ins. The end-of-shift handover is the second-most important comms of the day after any incident.
Handover and post-shift
Handover in writing not just verbally. Log outstanding actions. Debrief incidents while fresh — the paperwork is easier now than tomorrow.