Training, Career and Life as a Security Officer

The world has become an increasing scary place. It is a jungle out there. Take the wrong turn, walk into the wrong alley, take the lift alone, walk to your car in an isolated car parking lot, and that is all it takes to be the target of criminally minded. The work of a security officer is about executing protection, a seriously grueling occupation, and it is not just about walking in the park, sitting in front of a bank, or following celebrities or businessmen operating in the upper tiers of the financial strata. Naturally, the ingenious and physically capable make it up to the upper rank of the trade since ultimately, this profession requires brain going hand-in-hand with brawn.

No, big is not always better. While big may look impressive, but lack of competency could be costly. Competent is the key.

Some people thought that security officer came from gangster or criminal background. The truth is far from it. Established security corporations would never hire a thug or ex-gangsters for the job.

Qualification of a Security Officer

A security officer must be willing to risk life on daily basis to keep the client out of harm at all times. When situation calls for it, he should be able to reach for his weapon in a split second. With such a high demand in mental and physical competency, most security companies require the individual to possess the following qualifications and qualities before employing an individual for the task:

1. Physically Fit

2. Good Vision and hearing

3. Possess appropriate travel documents

4. Passed the mandatory pre-employment screening or full health check-up

5. Clean of crimes and misdemeanours

6. Clean of liabilities such as defaulted loan payments

7. Able to work independently and as a team

8. Able to recognize potentially dangerous situations

9. Remain calm under pressure

10. Strong sense of discipline and dedication

11. Possess good interpersonal and communication skills

12. Willing to work long hours, nights, weekends and overtime

Not mandatory, but security companies normally look for military, law enforcement officer, or private investigator for obvious reasons that they come equipped with some of the fundamentals of the jobs - weapons training, combat experience, tuned to perform under duress and a great sense of discipline. Their experience in all types of warfare is a plus.

Training a Security Officer

Any security officer candidate has to go through a series of training so as to come out worthy of protecting lives. Their driving, swimming and running skills will be tested. A security guard shared that his employer has asked him to run 3.5km and swim 2km. All the training is tailored to the demands of the clients. If the client can’t swim, you had better make sure you can.

Not limited to the following, but the basic training can include :

1. Fire training

2. First aid training

3. Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

4. Armed and unarmed training

5. Defensive and Offensive Driving

6. Social Etiquette

7. Protocols of the royalty, the wealthy , country’s leaders and businessmen

8. Close Quarter Battle (CQB)

9. General knowledge such as locations of nearest hospitals, building layout, roads, etc

10. Law of the country

11. Differences between self-defense and assault

12. Pressure drills which include plenty of sprinting, running without being able to see

13. Scenario exercises

The training that comes with the job is also designed to ensure that the security guards never infringe any law. They should not cross any lines or commit any acts that are illegal, or obstruct justice in any way.

The initial training may be short, but security guard need to maintain what he learns in the training, in order to survive in the job at all times.

These moden martial arts are geared towards sport than self-defence, hence learning karate or taekwondo will not be enough for self-defence. The better training for self-defence are Muayfit or Krav Maga .

Good security cost money. As security gradually becomes a serious threat, more and more corporate and household budgets have included security costs. People are spending money on security guards, gated communities, CCTV or home alarm system.

Life as a Security Guard

Security guard requires alert mind and active body at all times. It is a dead serious occupation where mistakes could lead to loss of lives. Given the nature of the job, it is almost impossible for a security guard to get insurance.

Endurance and stamina plays a vital role since working hours can sometimes stretch from 6am to midnight. In the public eyes, security guard’s job is all about protecting his client from any form of threat. In actual fact, the job scope covers much more than that. They need to be trained and educated for crowd control and how to handle emergency situations. When they are confronted, the first thing they need to do is to move the client as far away from the danger zone as possible.

Planning plays the main part of the job. The routes taken by the client from secure locations to destination and back need to be planned, with plan B and C, as contingencies. Assessing the safety of clients’ vehicles and the routes taken is utmost priority to make sure that there is no security breaches, hidden camera or listening devices which can compromise the clients’ safety in any way. Trials run are made several times before the arrival day of the clients.

Security guards are also made to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Similar to Secret Service, they are not supposed to reveal what they see or hear. Often than not, security guard’s job includes protecting the client’s reputations.

Who hires the security guards ?

Business tycoons, figures of authority and members of royal families are concerned for the welfare of their loved ones. security guards are often called to bring these people from their home to social functions and public events. They are also hired to protect their homes and business interest such as office buildings, factories, plantations, shipyards, vessels and so on.

Security has gradually become an area of concern for most of the population, not just the rich, important and famous. Anyone who needs extra security could hire a security guard for protection.

Copyright

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© Ingenira 2012