Many responsibilities come with being a security officer. From preventing incidents like theft and break-ins to keeping people and assets protected, security officers deal with a lot on a day-to-day basis. Because of this, security officers must have certain qualities. Failing to support those qualities can be detrimental not only to the officers but everyone around them. Let’s look at the top attributes that make a good security officer.
Be Ready and Prepared at All Times
The roles of security officers vary depending on the industry (we have an entire blog series dedicated to the different industries), but it is important that all security officers can remain alert and prepared always. An officer never lets their guard down and is ready for any situation or incident. They can notice when their environment has changed and can indicate any potential threats. A good security officer observes every case and decides whether it can be dismissed or if action needs to be taken. Staying alert and addressing any threats will make sure that those involved are safe in any setting or situation.
While most security officers are dedicated to the safety of those around them, it can be hard to keep them motivated. Many reasons can cause demotivation like feeling underappreciated or unacknowledged. However, demotivation can be avoidable by enhancing their work conditions. It all starts with their employer. For example, introducing software that was built to improve security operations will empower officers to do more.
Everyone needs to receive acknowledgment for their hard work, and it is no different for security officers. Though, without a way of tracking their performance, it can be difficult to recognize the outperformers. Implementing a software solution that can track guard activity will indicate the top performers as well as those who aren’t doing their job. Recognizing and rewarding security officers for their hard work can be the driving factor that keeps them motivated.
Honesty and Integrity—The Most Important Assets
A lot of the times officers are working alone, and it can be tempting to take shortcuts which is why working as a security officer comes with a high level of accountability. A security officer must have integrity. Without integrity, security companies can’t trust that the officer is doing their job and following the correct protocol.
Lacking in integrity can put the officer and any situation at risk. From not completing post orders to skipping out on guard tours, the most prominent point of tension between the client and a security company is when an officer isn’t doing their job. It could also lead to a security company losing a contract.
Holding a security officer accountable and proving their integrity can be challenging without any insight into their work. To ensure that officers are doing what they are supposed to, companies should find a way to track and monitor their daily activities. That way, officers can be held accountable.
Communication is Key
We often see security officers working alone so we might think that there is no need for them to be good communicators, but that’s wrong. Think about it; security officers need to be able to communicate well both verbally and written since they interact with people in many situations. Written communication is important because their employer and their clients require detailed incident reports and not to mention what is required by their insurance companies in case a claim is filed.
Having excellent communication can also be a factor when dispersing a situation. For example, if there is an altercation between two people, an officer who can communicate well will be able to dismantle the situation by merely using their words, preventing the issue from escalating further.
Let’s face it, communicating can be challenging for anyone, and that includes written communication. One way to alleviate this is to provide officers templates that can be used to report incidents. With templates, it takes little effort for the officer to fill them out properly and satisfy their supervisors.
Constantly Being Motivated
Whether its new threats or new technology that is being introduced, the security industry is always changing. Security officers must have a willingness to improve and quickly adapt to any changes. The quicker a security officer can adjust to new changes, the better chance they will have of keeping everyone safe and advance their careers.
Keeping people and premises safe is a big responsibility that not many people can accomplish which is why Trackforce offers solutions that help officers better prepare for incidents and improve their communication while holding them accountable to ensure officer integrity. If you want to learn more about how Trackforce can make your officers more productive and appreciated, visit Trackforce.com or contact us for a demo.