Selecting the right security officers for your business can be a difficult but extremely important task as you're essentially entrusting your property and safety to the officers employed. For this reason, it's vital to ensure you have officers that possess the needed qualities to optimally perform each task. This article highlights important qualities to look for in the security officers you hire. 

Uniformity/Professionalism

The appearance of a security guard is going to be the first attribute people notice. Seeing a security guard who looks lazy and unkempt, may make individuals feel unsafe while others are more confident of committing a crime. On the other hand, uniformed and licensed officers enhance security by deterring crime. Less incidents are likely to occur when professionally uniformed security officials are present. Security officers need to have an appearance that emanates an individual who is well-trained and ready to take action if need be but also know what is acceptable with the uniform and what's not. For instance, a professional security officer doesn’t typically have longer hair or wear jewelry such as rings or necklaces as these items can be used against security personnel. Therefore, being visibly professional is one of the ways by which a security officer prevents theft, damage, personal injury, and other incidents. 

Trained and Licensed 

An essential quality should be that the officers are extensively trained and licensed to work in the field. Make sure the company you're consulting with provides only well-trained and licensed security officers. Without a professional company facilitating the officer, you would not have the needed affirmation that the officer will be capable of doing the job correctly and offer the services you require. Therefore, licensed security officers will be able to ensure proficiency and expert security services so you know that you’re hiring a true professional, well capable of protecting your property and residents. When speaking with a company make sure their security officers are trained, licensed and are required to pass an extensive background check.  

Good Communication Skills/Honesty

Security officers are there to assist if and when an incident may occur. For this reason, a good quality to look for is a security guard who knows how to effectively communicate verbally as well as through written documentation. Good Communication skills allow the officer to clearly and concisely document each and every incident, as well as properly communicate the needed information to the right people. Security personnel also works closely with staff as well as patrons within the business, therefore an officer with people skills and a friendly manner is important.  

For instance, effective security officers can become brand ambassadors as well as added customer service reps as they offer patrons needed information about your business. On the other hand, an officer lacking the needed communication skills, can deter patrons away from your business if they seem too aggressive or are unwilling to assist when asked. 

Ability To Lead and Follow

A security officer needs to possess the quality with the confidence to lead. When an incident occurs, people will be looking to security personnel to take charge and resolve the issue quickly. It's also common for the multiple security officers to work as a team, which means they need to work together and know in situations when to follow and when to take the lead. To ensure everyone's safety, it's important they are able to work together and take charge not only to follow the rules set by their client but also do what's best for the common good. An officer who is confident working in the field and does what's needed to uphold the most effective security, is most certainly a quality you should require in the security personnel hired for your business. 

Physically And Mentally Fit

For a job that requires diligence and endurance, it's clear the people filling the role should have a high physical fitness level. Someone who is physically fit will be more effective at handling issues such as catching a burglar, detaining a individual or quickly making it to an emergency that may be on the opposite side of the business.

Physical fitness is important but so is mental strength. If an emergency occurs, security officers need to be the ones who keep a level head and effectively come up with the best solution to ensure overall safety. Being a security officer takes strength from the body and mind to be constantly alert and aware of the surroundings. An unobservant officer might unintentionally overlook something that could risk patrons' safety, or miss out on witnessing a criminal or thief in action.

United Security Incorporated | Security Officer Staffing

We know every client’s risks and business objectives are different requiring customized approaches, policies, procedures and requirements. Our management and field personnel work with you to develop security officer staffing solutions for either armed or unarmed officers that cost-effectively address your challenges while supporting your business.

Download the checklist below to know exactly what you should be looking for when hiring security officers.