The Public and Business Image of Security - Its time to Step Up.

In our Australian media, NSW has recently identified the risk posed by untrained or poorly trained security guards in the industry. Our own licensing people in Darwin appear to be ignoring the issue hoping it will go away.

Despite guards wearing flash uniforms or paramilitary uniforms, this is not an indicator of a well-trained guard force.  Poorly trained guards are a danger to the community and themselves.

I'd love to set a quick test of guard knowledge to see how many Territory guards can read, write and speak English to a standard that meets current AQTF standards and pass a simple test of security law and operational techniques.

Adverse media reports of crowd controllers and security guards devalue the work done by well trained and skilled security practitioners working at the coal face in the industry.  Criminals working in the industry, scam qualifications issued by unscrupulous training providers and crowd controllers who are more hotel employees than security that have exceeded their powers on many occasions bring the security industry into disrepute. 

Crowd controllers, in the main, use the power of force whilst well trained security officers use the power of psychology, well-tuned interpersonal relationship skills, security technology, rules of engagement for security, the force continuum and the law to carry out their role.

The security industry is not well understood in Australia by all levels of society, even our political leaders. This has to change.  The industry has been constantly evolving over time and Australia has reached the stage of having security professional status for those that meet stringent criteria similar to other professional groups in Australia, yet it operates in the dark where it comes to public or political awareness.  ASIAL have accredited trades personnel certified in security technology yet the general awareness in Australia is severely limited. 

Security is a profession, having a body of knowledge, education and training standards and a code of ethics. Our guards are at the first stage of their career that can evolve into being recognised as being a professional within the industry, after gaining the experience and educational qualifications.  Even our own Australian police are moving towards attaining that goal but have not reached it as yet.

Its up to our security officers guards and other practitioners in the industry to excel in their role, choose ongoing learning as part of developing their skills and knowledge and perform their duties in  professional manner. We don't all have to reach Registered Professional status but we should all strive to be the best at what we do.

We may not get rid of the cowboys and bullies that seem to gravitate to security guard or crowd controller jobs but each individual has the potential to change the attitude of their client employer and the general public through exceeding client expectations.

Yes I am a Registered Security Professional having done my time as a guard in a range of different contracts, been involved at the middle and senior roles in national security in government agencies and have been accepted as a professional in the US, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and China (not to mention Canberra and other capitals around Australia). I have trained Australian and Chinese in security and crime prevention, have been active in international working groups developing international standards affecting security so trust me; this is not bull shit. We either raise the standard of our industry or be prepared to be relegated to the status of the lowest end of employment in Australia.

Its up to each and every one of us in the security industry to drive change and enshrine professionalism as a byword of security.  There are more security guards out in the coal face than specialists working in the field but it will take the will and personal drive of all to make the necessary changes.