Armoured Car Escort - Career Advice - Transport and Travel

Armoured Car Escorts provide armed escorts for transportation and delivery of cash and other valuables. Future Growth Very Strong The guards drive armoured vans or trucks, wear bullet proof vests and carry firearms to ensure security. They collect the moneybags, receipts, the daily guide sheet and schedule from the vault worker, load these bags of cash and valuables such as jewellery, precious metals and expensive artworks, into the armoured-cars at banks and premises of other customers and issue receipts. Some guards stand at the ready while the valuables are loaded and unloaded at predetermined destinations and they guard loads while they are in transit to prevent theft. One or more guards generally assist the drivers of armoured-cars.

Guards make pick-ups at ATM machines and businesses and drop off at banks. Armoured messengers usually ride as passengers in the trucks and use radio communication to talk to the dispatchers and other drivers on the crew, directing the armoured vehicle drivers during scheduled runs and making the actual deliveries and pickups when the truck reaches its destination. The armoured guards also provide security for the armoured messengers, who pick up and drop off the cargo once the driver reaches his location. Drivers may follow or lead the messenger into the business or bank while he hands over the cargo to another individual.

Armoured Car Escort
(Source: Armaguard)

Drivers keep detailed records to document their deliveries and pickups - they record the information, such as the number of items received, the destination, the contents of the packages and the delivery time at the scheduled stops, on the daily guide sheet. Moneybags, receipts, the daily guide sheet, the change box and money are deposited with the cashiering department.

Armoured truck guards, like all security personnel, have difficult jobs. Most of the time, nothing extraordinary happens. But when an emergency occurs, such as a robbery, guards must calmly respond in line with employer protocols and local laws. If they don’t, they put themselves and the public at risk.

ANZSCO ID: 442212

Alternative names: Armoured truck driver, Armoured car driver, Armoured guard, Armoured messenger

Specialisations:

Cash in Transit Operator - A cash in transit operator drives armoured vehicles carrying cash and other valuables. They provide surveillance, manually handle cash, operate Automated Teller Machine (ATM) combinations and service ATMs. They operate vehicle security and emergency communication devices and handle firearms and other personal protection devices. Cash in transit operators usually require a security guard licence, a firearms licence and a first aid certificate.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Keen understanding and following of safety protocols and security procedures
Understanding the exact processes behind unloading vehicles
Training against robbery
Knowledge of the established routes
Good communication skills
Good risk assessment skills
Firearms knowledge
Physically strong
Requires driving
Likes to work outdoors

Armaguard
(Source: Armaguard)

Duties and Tasks

Cash in transit [CIT] security guards generally take care of multiple responsibilities while carrying out their regular CIT operations. Cash in transit involves professional security personnel transporting cash either on foot or in armoured vehicles. Besides money, the guards may also carry other valuables like jewellery, bullion, financial instruments, etc. CIT operations include not only protection of money during transport, but also servicing and maintenance of automatic teller machines.

Picks up and ensures the safe delivery of cash, payroll and valuables
Drives armored van to transport money and valuables, and guards money and valuables during transit: Loads and carries bags of cash, coin, and other valuables into and from armored van at protective service building, bank, or customer establishment.
Drives armored van along established routes to transport valuables to destination.
Guards bags of money and valuables during receipt and transfer to ensure safe delivery.
Issues and receives receipts from customers to verify transfer of valuables.
May drive truck along established route and collect coins from parking meters.
To drive an armoured car or van and make cash collections in order to deliver them to clients
Guarantee the secure collection as well as delivery of money and other valuables as a crew member or the drive
Immediately report to the manager any changes or variances taking place in the way that a job is normally handled
To provide business partners with top notch customer service
Establish good communication with manager or supervisor for relating issues that require professional resolution
Protect company property from all kinds of threat
Report criminal activities as soon as possible according to company procedures
Maintain the provided equipment including those meant for personal use
Ensure a fair working relationship with stakeholders and customers and assist clients who are in need of help
Applying first aid
Control aggressive people simply with empty hand techniques
Prepare and furnish security reports and documentations
Deal with security risks using firearms
Undertake loading as well as unloading of cash even in unsecured environments

In addition to the above mentioned duties, cash in transit officers must also be aware of potential risks, which include armed hold-ups, hostage situations, worker stress, exposure to variations in temperature, slips, falls, trips and injuries associated with manual handling.

CIT professionals must undertake suitable, targeted risk assessment and hazard identification as well. They generally do so by considering a wide range of factors that include usage of marked & unmarked vehicles, working time, peak traffic periods, cash moved in every transfer, crew support & exposure levels, efficiency of the communication systems, condition & suitability of the vehicles used, firearms, environmental factors (such as dark, wet, hot or cold) and regularity of customer runs.

Armoured Truck
(Source: Your Career)

Working Conditions

Hazards
Armoured truck robberies occur about 70 times a year, according to the book “Introduction to Private Security,” by John S. Dempsey. Violence is common during these robberies. Compared to bank robberies, which involve violence just five percent of the time, armored truck robberies turn violent 54 percent of the time, according to Dempsey.
Emergency Protocols
To prepare themselves to handle robberies and other dangerous situations, armored truck guards must undergo extensive training. For example, an armoured truck company might have a detailed response policy it expects all of its guards to follow, including instructions for how to react to a gunman in the event of a robbery, how to help a wounded colleague and how to notify law enforcement.
Firearms Training
Armoured truck guards also must know how to handle firearms. Depending on local laws and the day’s assignment, guards often carry defensive weapons. To handle dangerous situations appropriately, guards undergo extensive law enforcement-based firearms training. Armoured guards also wear bullet-proof vests for protection.
Transporting Valuables
Armoured truck guards must handle valuables, typically cash, in accordance with employer protocols. For example, a typical assignment involves transporting cash from local retail stores to a bank. One guard enters a store, signs for the cash and returns to the truck. Outside, the other guard stays on watch. Generally, the goal is to pick up the valuables and leave the area as quickly as possible.
Transportation
Guards must be able to operate the armoured truck, following basic traffic rules in addition to being able to handle route changes to minimize security risks. For example, to discourage robberies, armoured trucks might change their routes often to avoid being predictable. Guards also must be prepared to handle attempted robberies while in transit, which might require special training to avoid posing a risk to the public.

They often work in pairs, sometimes more; during the unloading of goods at each destination, at least one worker is required to stand guard.

Armoured car guards and drivers usually work set hours, as most of their destinations are commercial and operate during business hours. Their work is largely outdoors and involves frequent traveling between stops and physical exertion, including heavy lifting of goods and, in the event of a robbery or emergency, self-defense training. Their job requires minimal interaction, but clear communication between guards is essential, and quality customer service with clients is also expected.

Tools and technologies

Firearms; Armoured Truck; Walkie-Talkie

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an Armoured Car Escort without formal qualifications, however, a certificate II or III in security operations may be useful. Employers usually prefer that applicants have a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as a driver's license and clean driving history.

Employment Opportunities