I work as a mall security officer and I believe that i am not a loser. I'm 19 years old and a college student, with no plans on becoming a cop. On the other hand, the public feels that we are a fat, lazy, cop-wannabe losers. The public does not respect security officers/guards and never will. States do not give private security firms any legal authority, which means we have no real authority to do anything. We cannot legally arrest anyone, we don't carry guns or batons. All we have is our voices and intimidation, thats about it. This is why private security companies spend so much money on making us look like cops, it's b/c intimidation and our voices is all we have. If we decide to pepper spray or put someone under citizens arrest, we are liable for our own actions, which means we may get sued directly and it comes out of our own pocket. Everyone i work with has grown to hate his/her job and distrust the people you work with. Everyone feels that the job is pointless, dangerous, degrading and a shame. You grow irritated knowing the fact that you are in no position of authority and your pretty much the people's *****. Hollywood with its recent movies on mall security has convinced the younger generation to hate, disrespect and laugh at security guards. Don't get me wrong I believe our job is an important one, but there is nothing in it for you, no incentives. Low wages, no authority, abuse by mall patrons, no training, no self-defense equipment, no legal protection, no nothing! I don't plan to work in mall security for a long time. I'm only their until i get my bachelors degree, then I move onto medical school or graduate school for higher education to guarantee that i will find a job. Trust me, what i do know is go to work, punch-in, then punch out at the end of the day. I stay away from trouble, i mind my own business, and i try to get through the day. The job is just not worth it