The short answer
Hire armed guards only when a documented risk assessment and operating environment justify the added capability and responsibility. Unarmed officers are often appropriate for visible deterrence, access control, patrol, customer assistance, rule enforcement, observation, documentation, and calling emergency services. Armed coverage may be considered where credible threats, high-value assets, prior violent incidents, remote conditions, or other elevated risks are present.
What to know
The decision should account for more than the perceived seriousness of the property. Consider the officer’s actual duties, public contact, proximity to children or vulnerable people, law-enforcement response, client policies, insurance requirements, weapons restrictions, and the consequences of introducing a firearm into the environment. An armed officer is not a substitute for access control, cameras, lighting, emergency planning, or well-written post orders.
In Arizona, an armed security guard must meet the state’s applicable registration and firearms-training requirements. Both armed and unarmed guards remain private citizens rather than peace officers. Arrow offers both staffing models, so the recommendation should follow a site assessment instead of a one-size-fits-all rule. The final plan should document why the chosen model fits the risk, what authority the officer has, and when police or emergency services must be contacted.