When it comes down to it, security officers have two primary responsibilities: to patrol and to recognize potential issues. The point of patrolling areas is at least partly to be on the lookout for possible thieves, as well as keep a home or building safe in general. But what about the times when possible thieves are merely local teenagers out on a binge, or someone’s dad trying to get back in the house after losing his keys?
While being a security officer can be a rewarding experience, it’s not always easy being the first line of defense in protecting a property or groups of people. Before our security team is given their first assignment, they will be trained on how to do the job most effectively…which includes brushing up on the “soft” skills required to demonstrate the difference between being merely a good security officer and being an Elite Guard security officer.
- Remain Calm, Think Clearly – Among the most important lessons is how a situation can and should be diffused before it escalates. Remaining calm allows us to think clearly to find the best solution to the problem being faced. While they may only have a few seconds to determine the best course of action, the Elite Guard training will help them make the most of that time so they can respond before the situation becomes threatening.
- Situational Problem Solving – While the training helps, not every problem is going to have a textbook solution. This is why we focus our hiring on security professionals who have demonstrated the ability to rely on their skills and instincts. Do they know how to read the cues in someone’s body language or tone of voice? Can they de-escalate when the situation requires it, or know when to escalate based on their experience? Officers have to face problems either alone or with a small team, which is why Elite Guard ensures the right professionals are in the right positions.
- Honesty is More than Policy – We’re here to protect our clients and their property from dishonest/untrustworthy people. How do we do this if we are not being honest and dependable ourselves? When someone trusts us to protect their family or property, we cannot abuse that trust and expect to remain in business. The Elite Guard team is trained to be both honest and dependable. They show up on time, they complete their assignments thoroughly, and they treat the customer like their employer, which just happens to be true.
Communicate (like the job’s at stake) – Our security officers are trained to offer exceptional communication with everyone…coworkers, the general public, and even with potential threats. They must be able to clearly communicate any need for backup, in addition to writing clear reports that the rest of the team can read and evaluate. They will communicate directly if they see someone acting suspicious or simply need to leave the premises. They are able to clearly communicate any events they saw or heard in case they are called to be a witness in court. The bottom line, if they cannot give clear directions or be helpful, they do not represent Elite Guard.
