The short answer
Hospital security works best when responsibilities are defined before an emergency. Clinical staff lead patient care and treatment decisions; security manages assigned protective functions such as access, scene safety, communication, and response under facility policy. Law enforcement handles criminal investigation and exercises public authority. A private security officer does not gain police powers merely by working in a hospital.
What to know
The facility should establish a clear chain of command for behavioral emergencies, weapons, missing patients, threats, evidence, domestic violence, and incidents involving persons in custody. Joint drills and briefings help staff understand who calls 911, who meets responders, who preserves video, who maintains access to care areas, and how clinical information is shared lawfully. Officers should give police accurate observations and preserve evidence without offering medical conclusions or unnecessary protected information.
OSHA recommends including law enforcement in a healthcare facility’s overall security plan as appropriate and integrating security into a comprehensive workplace-violence prevention program. Arrow officers should also know facility emergency codes, radio channels, and escalation contacts. After a significant event, clinical, security, risk, and law-enforcement partners should conduct a documented review that protects privacy and identifies improvements.