here's a question for you..Security Officers...?

Question

Okay, we all know that TV always shows security guards as old retired man sitting in a gatehouse or sat in a hut on a building site or they are younger guys who are "wannabe policemen" and are usually thicker that a plank of wood.

Sadly, in 905 of security, this is true. But there are exeptions.

Consider that since the introduction of licencing, the wannabes and diddery old men are becomming a thing of the past.

Just check your local shooping centre and you will see a professional team of dedicated staff, who are well trained and probably detect more crime than your average bobby.

Since the police no longer routinly attend intruder alarms on buildings, offices factories etc, some companies rely on private security to respond to an activation. That officer has to go and check for intruders, secure premises, preserve evidence and so on.

So come on, lets have a cheer for Security Guards and next time you see one, say thankyou...

Just for info, I too am a Security Officer and although I am only 34, I enjoy my job with a passion.

I work for a very large company as a Mobile Response Officer attending alarm activations, keyholdings, escort duties and site visits (including manned sites)

So, Frankturk, no, this is not a joke. It is just an observation. I have seen in the past 5 years or so a completley different type of security. It is fast becoming an industry worth working in. Ok, the pay may still be low, but the jobs we do are getting more and more complex.

No longer are we just seen as "old men in huts" but a real and valued service provider.

And before you say it, no we will never take the place of the Police. Nor would we want to. But I am sure that most Securitystaff are more than willing to help the Police in any shape way or form. After all, the Police are there for us, so why shouldn't we be there for them???

Answer 1

Thank you for having pride in your profession. It's people like you that make our profession as security that give guards a good name. We still need a few improvements on the industry, but we've come a long way from retired men with a flashlight taking a nap in the guard house and high school grads beating up everyone they see just to try and earn their badge some respect.

As for those who think this is a joke or don't respect security guards, remember those little comments you have about guards when they are the only ones there to help you out in your time in need. No one respects security until a problem arises. When disaster strikes, firemen, policemen, medics are all seen as hero's. No one looks to thank the true first responder, the security guard. I'm no wanna be cop, if I wanted to be a cop I would be, I got more then enough education to easilly get a job in any department. Like it was said, we're not trying to be cops, I don't want their job. Instead of taking their job, I'll stick to my profession and continue to improve the reamwork between public servants and private security.

Answer 2

Well now, I have been on both sides of the coin. I was policeman for 29 years and a security officer at our local hospital for the last 4. I am not quite doddery as an older man, but with luck I will make it there.

Many of the old doddery men were probably policeman in the past and this is how they get their health insurance. I'm not knocking the professional because, unfortunately, I see more whack jobs, drunks, fighters, psyches and wired people now than when I was on the streets. I usually know them also.

However, when I was a Policeman, we always answered alarms at homes and businesses. Most businesses would go through a company that had their offices in a distant town. So, by the time we got a call from the alarm company and got to the call, it had been anywhere from 10-30 minutes.

Couldn't convince many businesses or home owners to tie directly into our own dispatch so it could immediately be put out. I don't knock security at all. Many are very good. ( most all security jobs in this town are done by off-duty police or retired ones)

Cheers for security guards

Answer 3

The Security Officer is the the most present guy in a company. He can never be late for somebody is always at the post. He can not leave unless he is officially relieved.

He is the person that is always available for any undertaking. When a job is not in anyone's Job Description, call the security. When it is too heavy call the security. In other other words, as an emergency man the security can do anything. He can be the phone operator, mailman, driver, whatever. All this with out any complaint.

He is the man who does a job in confidence. If the client can not trust you, you can not be in the industry. Risk is what you get and the other alternative for the client is insurance.

Security as a profession, provides that sense of being free from fear, uncertainty or doubt about you personal safety and that of your life, liberty or property. It also ensure that you continue to enjoy of the same.

Cheers!!!!

Answer 4

As a Licenced Security Officer thank you. i am 33 & not old fuddy duddy sitting in a hut/gatehouse. nor am i a wannabe police officer, the career of Security has had a lot of Bad Press in the past but now the SIA licence has come into effect this has weeded out most of the undesirables. i have done Security for over 5 years now & have seen a big change.

As Security we are pretty much the front line Defence for company's so are often assulted or worse. (latest incident with the Door Supervisors)
or we are seen as nobodies until the trouble starts & we are Required.
Long hours & low Wages are our thanks.
but we will still do our Job with Pride.

Answer 5

I think security guards should be given consideration for the job they do and the very long hours and low pay, even though I think its the worse job out for a human being - I got up at 5am to travel to a site to collect husband take him home, go to my full time job and then tonight take him back to do a 12 hour shift and then there's the weekend when he can do a 24 hour shift, he seems to like it, URGH! I hate it and - to toon.army01- you forgot the most important part of a security guards job and that is to Observe & Protect ( I could sit the SIA exam and pass with flying colours)

Answer 6

A typical duty list for a security officer,me.

1 Receptionist take all phone messages.
2 Meet and escort all visitors to their contact on site.
3 Make up and issue site passes to contractors/visitors.
4 Make sure all contractors/visitors have seen and understand site induction DVD.
5 Check all loads and paper work of vehicles leaving site.
6Check all loads and paperwork of vehicles coming back on site.
7 Confirming and altering all drivers delivery notes on PC.
8 Stock count of all cyls in yard.
9 Hourly site patrol.
10 Using weighbridge to weigh all tankers on and off site.
11 Being ready to administer first-aid if required.

This is just a sample of my duties and this is for one man over 12 hours.Notice there is no mention of any breaks.I eat as i go,all this for £6.40 per hour.No this is not a joke.

Wannabes?Wannabe what?I don't wannabe anything but what i am.I am happy and like my job.What i don't like is people who don't work in the industry and just assume we sit round reading papers and watching TV all day.Come and do a 12 hr shift in the winter when its snowing with me.When you have to climb on a snow covered artic with maybe 500 Cyl's on and you have to check to make sure the load is correct.Don't forget,one day you may need our help.

To Jackie M.I did not forget,what i gave out was a Sample list of my duty's.I did not want to bore people with everything i do.Just wanted to give them a brief outline.20+ years in the industry so i have a little knowledge of a security mans duty's.

Answer 7

Most cops feel that security officers tend to be more hindrance than help.
A good Loss Prevention operative can gain a modicum of respect from cops.
Lots of security guards are too darn pushy with cops.

Answer 8

Big cheers all round for the guards...and think about it most have taken that job after doing 3/5 years in the army so dont mess with them they aint playing..

Answer 9

In view of the absence of uniformed police on our streets, it is comforting to see security officers in public places.

Answer 10

I used to be one, now I work in a shop and we have a team of professionals on the centre that the shop is in. Hooray!!