How to become a security guard
April 25, 2017
In the UK there are certain criteria you need to meet in order to become a professional working security guard. The first step in this process is for you to be licenced by the SIA- the Security Industry Authority who regulate and license the private security industry throughout the UK. Without this license it is illegal for you to work under the pretence that you are a professional security operative or officer. You are however able to work for clients who wish to directly employ you but this equally does not mean you are an official security guard.
In order to obtain a licence you will need to complete a training course with a recognised SIA provider. Once you have passed the course you will then apply for a licence which will be valid for three years and will have to pay a fee of £220. After three years you will be able to automatically renew this and will just have to pay the fee. You will also receive an official SIA badge which can act as a more physical embodiment of your licencing.
All of the above should not be an issue on the basis that you are eligible for a licence and so it is important that you are aware of the terms and conditions before starting training. You can go online to the SIA’s official website to check your eligibility formally but there are other aspects to consider to assess if you are personally ready. As a standard eligibility check, you have to be over 18 and eligible to work in the UK but you must also be mentally ready for the job. It can be long and tedious with the standard shift being 12 hours and within that time you need to constantly be vigilant to everything going on around you. Whilst you may work on premises that have a constant stream of workers it is still a lonely job as most would recommend that you keep a distance from other staff. Your job is partly to protect them but equally to be aware of their actions and behaviour, if you become too close you may find yourself in trouble with your boss if they feel your judgement has been compromised.
What exactly are the roles of a security guard?
In terms of what is expected of a security guard there are three main activities that you should expect to carry out whilst on duty. The first is to guard the premises to ensure that there are no unauthorised personal can have access to the property and to ensure there is no disorderly behaviour on the premises/damage done. The second is to ensure the premises and its property are guarded against damage and destruction and are not stolen or obtained under false pretence. The final role of the security guard is the guard and protect individuals on the premises against injuries or being assaulted by those acting unlawfully.
Whilst these are the basic duties of a security guard there is often more to the job than you would think. There can be a lot of surveillance work involved particularly if you suspect someone of plotting to commit theft or you think an individual on the premises is acting suspiciously. In these situations you will need to remain calm and composed, not letting on that you are aware of their actions in order to catch them.
Without doubt it is an intense job both mentally and physically and these are things to be considered before delving into the profession.