Security Guard Job Profile
A Security guard job description, on the surface, appears fairly straightforward and simple.
However, the responsibilities and job description of a security guard differ and depend on the specific type of security guard in question. A close protection officer has a job description different from an estate security guard or a nightclub bouncer.
As with any vocation, the security industry has stepped up its game since 2002, and where once there was a series of blurred lines and zero prior screening or qualifications, now the industry only takes the most qualified and suitable candidates.
Some areas within the role of a security guard generally apply to all categories of security guards, so let’s take a look at what is required in the general sense.
Job Requirements And Qualifications
The physical requirements to be a security guard can be found in our related article accessed via the hyperlink. In summary, you must be physically fit, injury free and not have any pre-existing conditions that would impair movement, standing stationary for long periods, walking long distances on a parameter patrol, or the ability to spring into action when the situation presents quickly.
Security Officer Qualifications
To be employed as a security guard in 2023, you must have the appropriate CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations.
Security Guard & Crowd Controller
“The CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations qualification provides you with the skills and accreditation you need to work in the security industry as a non-armed security guard or crowd controller. It will give you the skills to manage the security and safety of others in a variety of circumstances, including guarding and patrolling a privately owned property. You’ll also be qualified to provide security at a licenced venue, including tasks such as screening customers on entry, monitoring the behaviour of patrons, and escorting people off the premises when required.
In addition, the CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations serves as a gateway to further training for more specialised professional security roles, such as:
- Armed guard/Cash-in-transit
- Close personal protection
- Operations in control rooms
- Handling guard dogs
Skills Training College’s CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations is accredited throughout Australia. However, licensing requirements vary from State to State, so it’s always worth checking your region’s local security licensing regulations.”
Security Guard Equipment
There are some items it pays to personally own when you become a Security Guard. From Static or Roving Patrol Security Guard, Armed Guard, C.P.O., or Crowd Controller. Let’s start with clothing and uniforms.
Clothing: Security Guard Clothing is one of the most important things a Security Guard must own and consists of the following subcategories where they are applicable to the type of security being undertaken:
- High-Visibility Clothing is needed to increase the Security Guards’ visibility. This is for your safety, public identification, and to alert any possible criminals that may plan to break into the location being patrolled or guarded.
- Spend money to buy the best quality boots you can afford. Boots are an investment in your physical comfort and capacity to undertake the role, especially if the role involves standing for prolonged periods or walking long distances, such as around the levels of a shopping mall, or the perimeter of a large, fenced complex. Comfortable, supportive, and padded gel insoles in your boots make all the difference. You must be able to run and chase potential trespassers, so they should be worn in before being put into active use to prevent blisters on the job.
Uniform
Employers will generally provide their staff with a company uniform in most cases. The exception is for casual staff hired sporadically to temp for another staff member or if your security role requires suits or dressy casual clothing in an undercover capacity. In the latter case, the company should provide an allowance to purchase and maintain the look required.
Temp or casual staff may be asked to wear a specific type or colour of shirt and trousers/cargo pants with a high-vis vest. Companies will have individual uniform demands.
Flashlight
Flashlights used to be bulky, oversized, and heavy. These days, L.E.D.s have changed the game, and it is about the lumen count for intensity and brightness, not the size. A powerful torch with the ability to cover a long distance and change the beam aperture size from panoramic down to a pinpoint is essential to any Security Guard not employed in a static position role.
A flashlight is useful when working the dayshift to view the inside of a dark room, peer down long corridors or skim across multi-surface areas in recess or shadow.
The stereotype ultra-long black security guard torch is also considered a form of self-defence weapon if needed in much the same way a police baton would be employed.
Defence Equipment
This is where things get tricky in Australia. Without the correct licences and current certifications, it is illegal for the general public to own some of the items a Security Guard can carry, wear, and use for personal protection and self-defence, or that enables them to subdue and hold a person captive until help arrives.
The type of security role you are qualified to perform will also dictate what personal protection and weapons, if any, you are licensed to carry, operate, and use in Australia. Armed guards require an extremely vigorous set of rules that includes a mandated quarterly live fire on a range, and the appropriate licence and facilities to contain a handgun, ammunition, and parts, all in separate locked containers within one location. The red tape and additional licencing requirements to carry a weapon in Australia are genuinely painful, frustrating, officious and ultra-expensive.
Those who manage to pass the vetting process and get their Category H Firearms licences tend NEVER to let the licences or licence conditions lapse as they are a costly nightmare to get back once expired or infringed in any capacity. Honestly, I cannot stress how difficult or officious this security role and that of a Close Protection Officer (C.P.O.) is to acquire and maintain. This has to be considered a long-term employment option, and you will need deep pockets to keep renewing your mandated licences.
The use of handcuffs and a bulletproof vest is also illegal to anyone without a current security licence, and some are even so specific as to be only deemed legal in the State the licence is issued, meaning you cannot carry them across the border even with a current Security licence if the two States do not match. Misuse of a prohibited/illegal item can result in legal criminal charges and loss of all security licences and employment with the potential for incarceration.
Digital Camera / Smart Glasses
The constantly evolving world of Technology seems to be focusing on the sector that controls the mass populace with increasing ferocity. Some form of tracking covers every second of a day and every metre of ground, be it CCTV, Ring cameras on houses, G.P.S. satellites or people with the latest iPhone making Tik-Tok or YouTube videos. The invention of smart glasses keeps advancing at an alarming rate and will likely become part of the mandated kit within a decade as they provide a range of live-feed information, can switch to Night vision mode or thermal imaging mode, and can do a ton of truly scary things the average person is not aware of that assist both the criminal element and law enforcement.
A digital camera could be your best friend during the patrol if a guard works at locations with no security cameras installed. You can use it to record a notable event, take pictures of people and items, and capture video of vehicle movements or any kind of suspicious activity in his area. You might even capture a ghost or shadow person if you are lucky or unlucky.
Notepad, Pen, Phone
Security guards need to keep notes of every shift. They have to remember any aspect of a completed shift and the actions undertaken. Unless you have a photographic memory, it is impossible to recall details of a shift the month prior with detailed accuracy from memory. Some form of note annotation is required to write reports about their daily actions and any observations they might have made.
Two-Way Radio
Close protection officers and security guards working at events or in retail should always carry a two-way radio, which is important for communication with the control room or other security guards. Communication systems constantly evolve to Bluetooth devices and cloud-based innovative applications and systems. Generally, the employer will provide specific operational equipment to do the job but having a backup two-way never hurts. Sometimes the old systems are the best, and a two-way unit does not need Wi-Fi to work, only batteries.
Mobile Phone
Cell phones are crucial for making a quick call to emergency services or for backup. You can put all the important contacts on speed dial for faster access and retrieval.
Webbing Belt
A heavy-duty webbed security belt is the conclusion of all the above equipment for a Security Guard. Its role is to provide a hands-free area that holds pockets for all the security equipment to be stored and accessed while on the person’s body but frees up the hands. For a more detailed overview of the essential equipment, read our blog article titled: Security Guard Equipment.
