At Pikes Peak Security, we take pride in ensuring our team is ready for any security situation. Our officers are highly trained individuals who are prepared for whatever comes. As a veteran-owned-and-operated company, we’re proud to serve the Colorado Springs and Denver areas. We offer in-depth training including gun safety classes and AVERT classes. Becoming a qualified security officer requires dedicated training and thorough education. For first-time security officers, we have compiled a list of our top tips to help you prepare for your first job.
Plan Ahead
One of the best things you can do for any job is to plan ahead. As an on-duty officer, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone on-site. Plan ahead and think through potential scenarios. If you identify a threat, neutralize it. Make a plan on what you would do in different scenarios, and visualize various situations you might encounter.
Security officers don’t always have much time to react to a dangerous situation, so imagining possible scenarios is immensely helpful in quickening your reaction time. Your plan should include building safety protocols, exit locations and exit strategies, and possible risks based on where you’re working.
If you are on-site as a team, make sure everyone understands their roles. Work together to create an action plan. Security teams require clear communication and thorough planning to be able to mitigate any risks that occur. Planning ahead is integral in creating a safe, secure environment.
Check Your Equipment
Your equipment helps keep you safe while working. It’s a good habit to check all of your gear before every shift and ensure everything works smoothly. In order to perform your job properly, your security gear needs to be functional. Some of the equipment you may want to check includes:
- Gloves
- Eyewear
- Communication Equipment
- Protective Equipment
- Flashlights
- Pepper Spray
- Handcuffs
Throughout your shift, make sure you have any additional tools close by. This will help make sure you can handle things efficiently, if and when a threat occurs.
Know Your Surroundings
If it’s your first time being posted at a location, make sure to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Carefully patrol the entire location, making note of exits and entry points. Engage all of your senses, and make a mental map of the environment. As you carefully look around the entire premises and get to know your surroundings, you will be able to note if anything seems out of place. As you’re patrolling, make a note of any inconsistencies you come across.
Often, it could be a small inconsistency that alerts you of or a potential threat. It is crucial to be completely focused while at work. This allows you to have quick response times and could be the difference between catching a crime before it happens, or after. Give yourself enough time to react by staying alert and knowing your surroundings.
Vary Your Patterns
One of the best things a security officer can be on-site is unpredictable. Being a security officer means safeguarding specific places and checkpoints. Having predictable movements gives someone the opportunity to take notes on when you will–or will not–be at certain locations, increasing your vulnerability. One of the best ways to deter crime on-site is switching up your patrolling routes.
When you vary your pattern, you have a better chance of discouraging potential criminal activity. Be sure to vary the routes you take, the time it takes you to complete them, and how often you stop to make note of your surroundings. Once you’re familiar with your surroundings, you should be able to easily change patterns and take other routes to each checkpoint.
Know Your Limits
As a first-time security officer, it is important to know your limits and be aware of what you can and can’t do. Security officers need to know when to call local authorities instead of handling a situation themselves. Suspicious packages left unattended, for example, should be handled by the authorities. If you are unsure what your specific limitations are, speak with a supervisor to receive a clear job description and answer any of your questions. Being aware of your limits helps you react quickly to any emergency situations you encounter
The Best Security In Colorado | Pikes Peak Security
Pikes Peak Security is veteran owned and operated, founded on over 18 years of military service and more than 8 years of experience in the security industry. With our dedication to training and education, we ensure excellence in everything we do. Our goal is to keep communities safe, while also keeping our officers safe on the job. We are proud to serve and protect the people of southern Colorado. If you are interested in security services for your workplace or for an upcoming event, contact us today!
