correct me if im wrong but i also thought "mall ninja" extended not only to private security officers/guards, but also civilians who go everywhere with their "tacticool" stuff.
someone who:
-wears 5.11 stuff everywhere they go
-wears tac boots with his outfit
-has Oakley or Wiley-X sunglasses
-dresses in black, OD green, desert tan, coyote brown, or a certain type of camouflage
-can't wear a regular backpack, even if its just to carry books to school. spends more money on a Oakley, BlackHawk, LBT, or other name brand tactical 3-day pack.
-always has at least 1 'tactical' folder on him at all times
-always has at least 1 flashlight, a la SureFire, Streamlight, ASP, etc.
-probably CCW'd if the state allows it
-probably carries pepper spray
-probably carries an impact weapon of some sort
-brings something made of ballistic nylon everywhere he goes
-probably has a carabiner, even if it just to hold his house and car keys
-has a backup weapon of some sort secreted on his person, like on an ankle
-has a cellphone or in some cases, a radio, if his fellow mall ninja buddies are nearby, so he can call for backup
-may have a police scanner in his car
-defintely a backup flashlight in the vehicle, maybe even a vehicle mounted spotlight a la police car
-maybe a push bar a la police car
-definitely aftermarket lighting, strobes in all colors that are legal and resemble a law enforcement vehicle (amber, for example).
-weapons rack, even if no weapon is in the car.
-a seat organizer, like the Safariland Pursuit Box, even if there is nothing in there except:
-a map like a Thomas Guide or a Mapsco
-a metal clipboard that opens up for secret storage
-a vehicle code, even though it's never been read
-these items in the vehicle will be left in a very conspicuous place so that passers by will look inside and think it is a cop car
-and oh yeah..has a Camelback or at least a Nalgene bottle.
-maybe some MRE's in the car too.