The rent-a-cop diaries

• Source: Global Times
• [22:51 November 18 2009]
• Comments

Fan Xiangzhong stands guard at AU's front gate. Photo: Courtesy of Fan Xiangzhong

By Pan Yan

Security guards are as ubiquitous as the gates they're posted to; seemingly almost every structure in China is flanked by youngsters standing sentry, forced to brave the midnight cold, endure tedium ad nauseum, and deal with snubs from self-important snobs on a daily basis.

Add on low wages and spartan accommodations, and its no wonder why most spend their time thumbing mobiles while donning that standard-issue blank security guard stare.

Although not sounding like an ideal career track, the life of the flashlight flatfoot piqued the interest of Fan Xiangzhong, a 22-year-old sophomore at Anhui University (AU), inspiring him to write an investigative report about the life of a security guard from "behind the badge"

"I come from a village in Fuyang, Anhui Province, and many of my fellow-villagers are now working in cites as guards. I always heard stories about their life, which got me interested in what being a security guard is like,"Fan explained.

In order to get a real insight into the security experience, Fan, a library management major, decided to work as a campus security guard at AU for a year, compiling his experience into a report to enter into next year's Academic Challenge, a nationwide scholastic competition, with the hopes of representing his school.

"My university takes part every year and I wanted to have a try at it, "said Fan

Not only does Fan explore the life of a security guard, but also offers analysis on the inadequacy of security guard training and the apparent class discrimination they face, while at the same time the business potential in the industry.