What is the Role of a Security Officer?
The role of a security officer involves the primary goal of protecting the property of the employer. These security officers are frequently positioned as the first line of defense for businesses and homes against external threats, intrusion and vulnerabilities to the property and its dwellers. However, security guards wear many hats, as there are a number of responsibilities they must fulfill that private security company managers should note. While the specific responsibilities can vary depending on the employer, there are some common duties that help to define the roles of security officers. Here are a few to consider.
1. Security Issue Prevention
2. Observation and Reporting
3. Incident Response
4. Communication
5. Collaboration and Cooperation
The major responsibility of a security officer should be prevention BEFORE an incident/offense occurs. Thus, a security officer should be highly visible. By being seen, the security officer may discourage anyone who might be considering theft, damage, or personal injury. A security officer’s job focus should be PREVENTION. To do the job well, the security officer MUST: ➢ Be alert ➢ Listen ➢ Watch
The decision on how the security officer should react to any given situation is at the discretion of the security officer’s employer. What is a sign that a security officer is doing a good job? The absence of incidents or offenses (crimes) is one sign that a security officer is doing a good job.
What should a security officer do if an incident or offense occurs? If an incident/offense occurs, a security officer should not immediately intervene. Instead, the security officer should: ➢ Stay calm ➢ Observe and remember events ➢ Report to the police/or the security officer’s supervisor (follow the employer policy).
The above direction is a suggestion and is at the discretion of the employer. Some employers may want their security personnel to be more proactive as long as they stay within the parameters of what is lawful regarding private persons (citizen’s) arrest.