Security - 1 or 2 Officers Opening & Closing Bank?

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Question:

We have suffered 2 robberies in less than 1 month. As security officer I had a robbery expert from our local police department conduct security assessments on our branches. One of his recommendations was to ALWAYS have at least 2 individuals present to open and close the bank. Our current practice is to allow just one officer to open and close. I agree with the officers recommendation, but this was voted down 5 to 1 by our senior staff against making this policy change. Can anyone tell me why one officer would be safer than 2 or more individuals?

Answer:

Security officers have always recommended two individuals open a branch, not one. But reality and staff cut-backs have resulted in more one-person openings taking place. If you are truly blocked from instituting a two person opening, I suggest you explore the safest opening possible for one. For instance, utilize cell phones. Before getting out of the car on arrival, the one person opening the branch should get his or her "Buddy" on the other end of the phone and be talking to that Buddy the whole time the employee is going through the opening procedure. When the office has been checked, and the opening employee is locked in and the all-clear sign posted, then the conversation should end with a code that lets the Buddy know that everything is OK. Cell phones can be used by any other employee coming in - also with a code - so that later arrivals can determine whether or not the opening all-clear signal is genuine. Think "out-of-the-box" for branch opening procedures, to make them as safe as possible. As for your senior staff - if any one of the 4 who knocked down your policy change had a daughter or a son working in that branch, my bet would be you'd get your two person opening.

First published on BankersOnline.com 10/17/2005