There is a lot of misconception as to what it really means to be a security guard, what a security guard’s role is and what it really takes. The truth is there are many varied roles undertaken by a security officer and each requires a different set of skills, attributes and training

HOLLYWOOD PORTRAYAL VS REAL WORLD

In Hollywood movies like Night at the Museum, Mall Cop and Run Fat Boy, Run, security guards are portrayed as almost a gimmick; they’re the butt of the joke. Overweight, under skilled, often tripped up and foiled in a myriad of obstacles and comedy.

In the real world it’s not all jokes and gags. Security officers are in their roles to protect people and property and this sometimes means being in dangerous and life threatening situations.

Security officers exist in a variety of roles including crowd control and event security, loss prevention in the retail industry, cash in transit officers, mobile patrols, aviation and maritime security, critical infrastructure protection, mobile patrols and general guarding.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SECURITY GUARD

THE RIGHT TRAINING

Becoming a security officer is not just something you can fall into as a back-up plan as it may appear in the movies. To obtain a security officer job, you need to have the right training and accreditations. There are industry standards that must be adhered to and employers are increasingly looking for intelligent, quick-thinking and highly trained security officers in their teams.

Security officers not only need to understand their job they also need to understand what they are guarding and in many cases undergo training by the client in order to guard their property and staff effectively. Whilst not direct officers of the law, top security officers must have a strong legal knowledge and technical skillset. When dealing with criminals, often their actions and statements will be evidence in court.

The security industry offers not only a job as an officer but opportunities for those committed to their work to move up the ranks into team leader and management opportunities.

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR THE RIGHT POSITION

You don’t become a security guard simply by having a qualification; you need to have the right attitude for the job. Security officers need to be highly focussed and committed to their work. They need to be calm under pressure, able to follow orders and able to work autonomously. A security guard needs to be incredible vigilant and able to adjust in high stress situations such as a robbery, lost child, assault or perhaps even an armed hold up.

More than that, it’s important that the right officer be placed in the right security role. The attitude, personal and professional qualities of a security officer that is best placed for a crowd control and event security role are quite different from that of a maritime security officer and again from a loss prevention retail security officer. When the right person is placed in the right position they can be effective in protecting lives, property or information.

If you want to be a high performing security officer, high quality and accredited training is vital to your success. With a variety of national qualifications and tailor made courses, RAY MANCINI Group can help you be the right person for that security officer job. Contact RAY MANCINI Group on 1300 841 871 to commit to your career in the security industry today.

RAY MANCINI

CEO – RAY MANCINI GROUP International