14 Nov Becoming A Security Operative – 6 Qualities You Will Need?
The duties of security personnel today extend well beyond what would traditionally be termed “guarding” – and so are the skills and qualities needed for success.
Security personnel are often in a position of high leverage within the businesses that deploy them. They are right there at critical interaction points (moments of truth) with clients and customers – at the point of entry, at the point of departure and at points of conflict. How each of these is handled impacts on how the business is perceived by their customers and the general public.
This position at the forefront of a business makes it imperative that security operatives understand their potential impact and bring the skills, qualities, values and behaviour that enable them to reflect and promote the values of the business deploying them. The days when security positions would be filled by “muscle” alone are long gone. Nowadays, even standard security operatives should have a much broader range of skills and attributes.
Communication Skills.
Every aspect of the security role involves an ability to communicate. Welcoming customers, preventing entry for some people, asking people to leave, demanding they leave, intervening in a drunken brawl, writing reports, calling for back-up, building rapport with other staff, giving direction – all involve the security operative to communicate clearly and efficiently. Today, communication is as essential to the role as physical capability … maybe even more essential.
In fact, in the resolution of any conflict, communication is a pivotal tool for reducing the risk of negative outcomes for everyone. The application of these particular skills is often call de-escalation.
Your physical appearance is an important part of the “message” you’re sending – that is, it forms part of your communication content. Presentation and grooming are a high priority and security operatives should always be conscious of how they “look”.
Alertness.
Security operatives need to be ready to handle any situation that may arise. This often means being able to anticipate issues and take preventative measures before they escalate. Situational awareness is essentially about being alert to, and aware of, what is happening in your environment and then being able to determine the implications for both the present and future. There are training modules available to hone your skills in situational awareness.
Clear Thinking.
Every situation and every potential situation requires a decision – the business you’re representing needs those decisions to be “good calls”. The process of scanning, analysing, assessing and deciding action is happening continuously for the on-duty operative – it all requires thinking that is both clear and logical.
Empathy & Respect.
At some point every security operative faces a critical issue with serious implications – deciding how much strength or force needs to be exerted in a physical confrontation. When approaching a situation needing physical resolution, having empathy and respect for others can be very helpful in increasing the likelihood that everyone – guard, offender, innocent onlookers, the business itself – can emerge from the situation without damage or injury.
Of course, empathy and respect are powerful tools in all circumstances but in those critical moments, when things are “on-the-line”, retaining both empathy and respect may just save everyone from outcomes that no-one desires.
Understanding Teamwork.
As a security operatives you will often be required to work alone or with a partner. However you are almost always part of a much bigger team – especially in larger venues. It is vital for everyone that you understands how the team works and your role in bringing success to the team … and therefore the venue.
Strength & Fitness.
There is always the possibility that you will need to take action that requires either strength or fitness … or both. While modern security protocols often demand negotiation (or “de-escalation”) skills, there remains a requirement to be physically capable. Keeping yourself fit and healthy is the first step.
Security operatives today are a far cry from how they were once seen. Understanding your role at the venue and the value – or potential value – you can offer the business helps raise the overall standards and perceptions of yourself and all security personnel. If you want to know a bit more about why Exact Security believes businesses should invest in quality security have a look at Exact Security White Paper – Premium Security.
If you’re interested in security operative positions with Exact Security you can contact us by:
- Send an email to info@exactsecurity.com.au or
- Completing and submitting the form on the Contact Us page.
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