What are the duties and responsibilities of a security guard

Do you want to protect people and property from damage? You may consider a career as a professional security guard. Security guards play an important role in protecting what matters most. Security guards can be found in retail establishments, construction sites, hospitals, or guarding VIPs and high-ranking executives.

If you are considering a career in security, you probably have many questions about the typical duties and responsibilities of security guards. The truth is that specific tasks vary depending on the needs of the client. In general, security works as a deterrent. Their job is to prevent crime from being committed by actively looking for suspicious behavior, mitigating risks when they occur, and contacting the appropriate authorities in the event of an incident. Simply put, security guards keep people, property and other valuables safe.

Key responsibilities of security personnel

Become a visible deterrent

Criminals are less likely to commit crimes such as theft, vandalism or physical assault when security is visibly present. Only the presence of security personnel can prevent thieves, robbers and thieves from trying to harm people or property. Your visible presence will prevent criminals from doing anything illegal on your site. When criminals see security personnel, they may change their minds and plans.However, if you see someone committing a crime, you should give important information to the police. This helps them catch criminals and stop crime while it is happening. You should take good notes when the incident occurs or as soon as possible so that the notes can be used as evidence in court.

Contact and communication with authorities

In the unfortunate event of an emergency, security guards act as an experienced resource and point of contact for the authorities. Security personnel are trained to observe and gather information that fire or law enforcement agencies need in their work. Security guards act as partners for business owners, the police and firefighters.

Track access to assets

One of the most common threats to businesses is unauthorized access to assets. Hospitals, construction sites, schools and other major organizations understand the need to closely monitor their entrances and exits. Security guards can check login details and keep records of visitors, vendors and employees.

Identify suspicious behavior

While your employees are busy with their work, criminals may be at work doing their job. Companies benefit greatly from having a dedicated team that monitors and identifies irregular and suspicious behavior. Business owners cannot expect their employees to be able to recognize when something is wrong. Security guards have the training and skills to recognize when there is a smell, sound or sight that is not normal and requires attention.

Access control and use of alarm systems

Security guards must routinely control the movement of people, vehicles and materials entering and leaving their post. While “in” material may require a delivery order and “out” may require a gate, these items are authorized documents that you should review carefully. If you want to control the movement of people, you may need to control their identity. Sometimes the customer is worried that the staff will steal things that you might need to check your luggage. The security guard must know how to use the alarm system and other surveillance systems such as CCTV cameras and others.

Actions in emergency situations

Security guards have the skills and training to respond to any emergency as soon as it occurs. As a dedicated watchful eye, security personnel are often the first to know about a security situation and the first to act. They can assist in evacuations and other major security incidents. Maintaining good public relations Maintaining good relations with the public is also an important duty of security, as you will often be in contact with the public while performing the service. Your customer always expects you to provide information to the public. People can turn to you when they have a problem, so you need to act professionally in these situations.

Traffic control Direct

Traffic management may be part of your job in some locations such as shopping malls, party areas, etc. In areas with heavy traffic, you can work as a dispatcher in the parking lot. In an emergency, you may be asked to direct traffic and assist the police in a public area.

Crowd control is the proper management of large groups of people. If there is a dispute on your site, you need to manage the audience and handle it very carefully. If you are on duty at large public places such as fairs, music festivals, stadiums, and public demonstrations, you should be involved in crowd control.

How to become a security officer

If you are interested in becoming a security officer, you are required to get a PLRD Security Officer License in 3 simple steps.
Let’s take a look on the steps to become a security officer:

1. Apply for a Security Licence

To become a licensed security officer, you will need a Security Officer License from the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD) if you are to be employed to perform any of the following duties (Singapore Police Force, 2020):

a. Patrolling or guarding another person’s property (including cash in transit) by physical means (which may involve the use of patrol dogs) or by electronic means;
b. Keeping the property (including cash in transit) of another person under surveillance, including for the purpose of preventing theft thereof;
c. Acting as a bodyguard or bouncer;
d. Performing any function of screening individuals, as part of your regular duties, seeking entry into public place or other premises; and
e. Regulating traffic under the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276)

Click here for a step-by-step guide of Licence Application.

2. Complete 3 Basic Security Courses with KnowledgeTree

If you don’t have prior experience or exemptions by PLRD, you will need to complete the following 3 courses under the Basic Licensing Units (BLUs) to be eligible for a security licence and become a licensed security officer in Singapore (check with PLRD for any exemptions before applying for these courses)

a. PGPS – Guard and Patrol (Provide Guard and Patrol Services)
b. HSIS – Incident Response (Handle Security Incidents and Services)
c. RTT – Threat Observation (Recognise Terrorist Threats)

*SkillsFuture Credit or PSEA may be used on top of existing government course subsidies to pay for a wide range of our approved skills-related courses.

3. Make Your Security Pass

Every citizen has their IC to identify themselves. Security Officers also need to have security pass to identify themselves! The final step to becoming a licensed security officer is to make your Security Pass!

14 days after your final assessment date, you may proceed to make your Security Officer Pass at the Union of Security Employees (USE).
*There will be a processing fee of $22.50 for this application

USE Customer Service Centre location:
Textile Centre
200 Jalan Sultan #03-24
Singapore 199018
Contact: 6334 6393

USE Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Every last Tuesday of the Month: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays

Click here for directions to USE.

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