Careers in Criminal Justice: Becoming a Security Officer

A security officer’s main objective is to protect both people and property. Security officers work in retail facilities, banks, museums, airports, or may even be employed by private citizens. They patrol and monitor facilities to protect assets and property, and ensure the safety of individuals in the particular facility.

 

Security officers also deter criminal activity, and protect against property damage (including fire and vandalism) and theft. Individuals who are interested in safety and who are willing to take on the task of being responsible for the safety of others may be interested in security officer jobs.

Security officers may work in a wide variety of settings, and job responsibilities depend on the severity and nature of the possible security threats to the particular location. Some officers are assigned to monitor a specific area, such as a store or manufacturing facility, and may work in shifts to provide "round-the-clock" security. Other officers are assigned to travel to different locations within a specific area to monitor activity.

 

Depending on the level of security of the location, officers may patrol for suspicious activity, or they may ensure that visitors to a particular area are authorized with security clearance. They act as a deterrent for individuals who come to a location with the intent of vandalism or theft of data or property.

 

In some cases, security officers may issue tickets for violations. They may also search individuals or vehicles for weapons, or to ensure that no individual is concealing stolen property. Security officers are responsible for contacting other emergency personnel in case of an incident, and writing reports documenting any incidents on properties they are assigned to patrol.

Most security officers make between $20,000 and $60,000 annually. Salary depends on experience and on the level of security needed to maintain the particular property. Additional training and certifications (such as certification and license to carry a firearm) can also lead to a higher salary.

 

Many officers choose security as a full-time career. However, some individuals choose security as a second job, as some positions require little training and require officers to work night or weekend hours. The salary for these part-time jobs is generally lower than for full-time and more experienced officers.

Different states have different regulations for security officers. Some states require certain levels of training and certification, while others have few to no requirements (with requirements set by the individual employers). Officer training varies based on the setting and the guard’s job responsibilities. Some jobs carry more responsibility, and therefore require more training. Officers must be certified and licensed if they are to carry firearms. More training is required for security officers dealing with national security, including those who work in airport security. Many jobs, especially those in areas where the officer will be protecting expensive assets or carrying a firearm, require a background check.

 

As in other jobs in criminal justice, security officers must be able to respond to various emergency situations. They must be willing to confront suspicious individuals while maintaining control of the situation. These responsibilities make a background in law enforcement desirable for security officers, though such experience is not always required.

Committed individuals can advance in the field of security. More experience in the field increases your chances for being hired to a position with more responsibilities, and possibly a higher salary. Advancement to a supervisory position is also possible with increased experience and completion of relevant training and certification.

 

Some organizations (the Transportation Security Administration, for example) have a set progression of job responsibilities for career advancement, and officers can move up this hierarchy with increased experience and excellent job performance. In addition, advancement is possible for those seriously interested in criminal justice careers, because the field sees a relatively high rate of turnover.

Criminal justice careers as a security officer are available in at the federal and state level, and in the private sector. Federal and national organizations and groups include: