What does it take to become a security officer?Duties of security officers vary by the assignments they are given. Some key duties for all security officers that you need to consider to determine if you are a good fit are:
Some security officer posts will require that you work in various weather conditions such as snow, heat, rain and foul weather. Other security officer posts will allow you to work in an interior environment with business professionals. Most important traits for good security officers or security guards are the ability to be polite and courteous when interacting with distraught, often emotionally upset individuals. |
Security Services
Primary services provided by Security Guards or Security Officers:
1. Preventative patrol – Uniformed officers is to deter criminal activity on the business property. Officers ensure they are highly visible to the patrons and public by monitoring ingress and egress areas.
2. Protection of Life and Property – officers engaged in the provision of security services protect the well-being of individuals on the property and safeguard property on the premises to which they are assigned. This duty could entail simple tasks such as providing escorts to employees/patrons, monitoring premises for potential hazards and initiating corrective action or providing an initial response to crimes in progress.
3. Documenting incidents – Officers complete written reports of incidents, log activities and/or summoning appropriate personnel to a scene. Reports may entail completing written reports of individuals injured on the premises, reports of criminal activities, and written reports of maintenance issues that need correction to maintain the safety and security of the premises.
4. Investigating suspicious individuals or property – While on an assignment officers need to maintain a high level of awareness to their surroundings, being observant of the facilities and activities of others. In situations that are suspicious the officer must be inquisitive as to the presence of individual; why property was left in a specific location; how someone would commit a crime and how to prevent a crime from being accomplished.
5. Work after swearing or subscribing to a security officer code of ethics - Security officers are expected to follow a higher work ethic than many of their counterparts. Officers are to exhibit honesty and integrity in all of their duties. Here is an example Security Officer Code of Ethics.
Depending on specific duty locations and assignments, security officers and guards can monitor warehouses, track individuals accessing the property to make deliveries, accompanying employees as they move valuables, money throughout the property.
Security Guards or Officers provide a number of primary methods for providing security services:
Uniform and “Plain-Clothes” - in retail establishments, security guards and officers may wear a uniform taking posts near primary entrances to increase visibility. In addition, guards or officers may work wearing clothes to conceal their identities to potential thieves. Plain-clothes officers are able to position themselves to observe shoplifters, or employees engaged in acts of theft.
Armed and Unarmed Security Guards and Officers - Officers may be armed, in uniform, to provide protective services against robberies. Businesses that are desirable targets for armed robberies often employ armed security guards. Businesses located in areas prone to illegal drug activity may employ armed security guards as well to protect customers and patrons against robbers.
1. Preventative patrol – Uniformed officers is to deter criminal activity on the business property. Officers ensure they are highly visible to the patrons and public by monitoring ingress and egress areas.
2. Protection of Life and Property – officers engaged in the provision of security services protect the well-being of individuals on the property and safeguard property on the premises to which they are assigned. This duty could entail simple tasks such as providing escorts to employees/patrons, monitoring premises for potential hazards and initiating corrective action or providing an initial response to crimes in progress.
3. Documenting incidents – Officers complete written reports of incidents, log activities and/or summoning appropriate personnel to a scene. Reports may entail completing written reports of individuals injured on the premises, reports of criminal activities, and written reports of maintenance issues that need correction to maintain the safety and security of the premises.
4. Investigating suspicious individuals or property – While on an assignment officers need to maintain a high level of awareness to their surroundings, being observant of the facilities and activities of others. In situations that are suspicious the officer must be inquisitive as to the presence of individual; why property was left in a specific location; how someone would commit a crime and how to prevent a crime from being accomplished.
5. Work after swearing or subscribing to a security officer code of ethics - Security officers are expected to follow a higher work ethic than many of their counterparts. Officers are to exhibit honesty and integrity in all of their duties. Here is an example Security Officer Code of Ethics.
Depending on specific duty locations and assignments, security officers and guards can monitor warehouses, track individuals accessing the property to make deliveries, accompanying employees as they move valuables, money throughout the property.
Security Guards or Officers provide a number of primary methods for providing security services:
Uniform and “Plain-Clothes” - in retail establishments, security guards and officers may wear a uniform taking posts near primary entrances to increase visibility. In addition, guards or officers may work wearing clothes to conceal their identities to potential thieves. Plain-clothes officers are able to position themselves to observe shoplifters, or employees engaged in acts of theft.
Armed and Unarmed Security Guards and Officers - Officers may be armed, in uniform, to provide protective services against robberies. Businesses that are desirable targets for armed robberies often employ armed security guards. Businesses located in areas prone to illegal drug activity may employ armed security guards as well to protect customers and patrons against robbers.