Security guards, usually unarmed, that are hired by companies and rented out to agencies for things such as concerts or school security.
My school is full of rent-a-cops, armed with nothing tougher than their cell phones. Safe, it ain't!
by Fat Tony January 13, 2004
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(offensive, disparaging) A private security guard, bodyguard or armored car guard. Used as an insult.
(rent-a-cop)
by Shelmac May 21, 2015
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A slang term for a Security Guard (known as Security Officer in the business).

There are several kinds of people attracted to this work:

1.) The "Lifer": A loser in life who cannot do anything other than be a waste of space. These are the ones that make it harder for other people to perform a simple job of making sure a client's property doesn't burn down or get ransacked. They are insecure, lazy, and mentally slow. They think that they are somehow like Police or the Military. These tend to be in their late 30's and higher but you can see this sad excuse for existence in some 20 somethings that really fail at life. .

2.) College students: A lot of the younger guards you will run into who seem intelligent are usually in this class. Often this occupation allows for ample study time if done covertly. The pay rate is much better than most college jobs so they play it smart and do these kinds of jobs.

3.) Retired people: Surprisingly enough not every old guard you see will be an idiot. Often these are guys and gals who have retired and in order to have a supplemental income, they take on this job. They are often articulate and fairly intelligent for the most part.
816 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin has a really bad Lifer at night. Go skate there in the alleyways to watch his dumbass in action. He's a real Rent-a-cop!
by Coca-Cola Kid December 20, 2009
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University security. They drive around looking for trouble, but when it gets dirty, the call the real cops.
The public safety aka rent a cop had to call the city cops because the party was too big.
by webmasterhcharlie September 4, 2006
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someone who's a rented cop. usually a security guard at schools or events.
yo that rent-a-cop can't do shit. he doesnt even have a badge.
by ALeN BaLeN April 29, 2003
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A state certified and trained person who is essentially a private police officer. Used when 24hr police coverage can not be provided. Depending on the state, a "Rent-a-Cop" has arrest powers and carries a weapon. They can easily put you in as much trouble as a "real" cop. Most are Ex-Police/Milatary. Depending on the contract, the pay is actually better than local law enforcement.
::While setting in a cell: "Yo, G, I cant belive I gots arrested by a rent a cop"
by Slinger646 January 2, 2006
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1.) The ULTIMATE security guard;

2.) An agent of uniformed or assumed authority who is contracted out by others who shit on them as a means of cost-efficient, cheap-ass, under-qualified, ego-driven, completely useless substitute for actual law enforcement with the mundane task of performing substandard security services (w/ a smile) in a place of total unimportance without any hope of actual recognition for the half-assed job they are expected to fufill;

3.) Any security guard (contract or in-house) that has been retitled "Public Safety" for the sake of some ego-inflated management in order to complete some sense of delusional importance
Lemme see your badge, Rent-a-COP. Do you even have a gun, Rent-a-COP?
by Deputy Donkey May 17, 2011
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