While running errands and going through your day-to-day, you can't help but see the uniformed, professional security officers working to keep you and public property safe and secure.
Providing excellent customer service and being aware of their surroundings and posts, they are one of the first responders to ensure you are given peace of mind in knowing that you are safe and worry-free when issues may arise.
How to Become a Security Officer Most individual state laws require you to obtain certification while completing your security training program.
Adhering to your state's training requirements will inform you with some of the basics in how to become a security officer including what types of security is available to train for including warehouse security, personal security, correction officers, theft prevention, physical security or alarm and access security, information security, parking lot and traffic control and crowd control.
A good place to start if you are looking to become certified is by researching the requirements of your state or call your local security officer training center for further information.
Understand that the expected responsibilities of a security professional and their demands may not be a good fit for everyone.
Some of the most important responsibilities include such duties as to guard and watch for security threats, watch for theft opportunities and deter violence and prevent property damage.
The most important responsibility of an officer is prevention BEFORE an offense occurs.
Thus, a security officer should be extremely visible around their post or assignment.
By being well noticed, they may deter anyone who might be planning theft, damage, or personal injury.
Roles and Responsibilities A security officer is assigned to protect specific people and/or property.
This may include detecting some of the same offenses that would cause a peace officer to act, such as physical altercations or theft.
However, that would not include other offenses such as traffic violations or prostitution.
For example, if you were on duty at a plant gate and you observed two teenagers having an auto race down a public road, you would not try to arrest them.
You may decide to report it to the police if a telephone is nearby.
But you were hired to protect the plant -not to arrest speeders.
The officer's concern is to protect persons and prevent damage or destruction to property.
Again, PREVENTION is the key goal.
As another example, if you noticed a group of people attempting to scale a fence to enter private property, you should instruct them to stop or turn on the lights.
Do anything within the law, that would discourage their trespassing, do not wait until they cross the perimeter so that you can arrest them.
Another typical situation might be: A person intends to steal from a store, but suddenly sees a uniformed security officer on patrol.
The person leaves the store without stealing anything.
The officer, simply by being in uniform, has prevented a crime.