Feature Opinion Read more online at www.securitymattersmagazine.com
The Last Word
Security personnel regularly assist Government and police
authorities by being first on the scene when incidents
occur. Their work is often embedded in our daily lives, but
with little thought afforded to who they are and what they
do. Mike Reddington outlines the route towards changing
that particular status quo for the better
66
There’s no doubt that the security
industry has witnessed some major
developments in 2020. The COVID-19
pandemic has seen security officers and
services recognised as key and critical
workers, while they’ve also been
mentioned in one of Prime Minister
Boris Johnson’s addresses to the nation.
In a bid to build on this appropriate
and deserved recognition, a major
industry campaign entitled ‘The Hidden
Workforce’ was launched. Run by the
British Security Industry Association
(BSIA) in partnership with The Security
Institute and The Security
Commonwealth, the goal is to raise the
perceptions of security officers across
the political and public arenas.
Support is growing exponentially as
other industries who employ the
services of security personnel duly
recognise how they assist in maintaining
safe and secure environments.
Managing a campaign like this is no
easy task and brings its own set of
challenges. The current public
perception of security officers needs to
be urgently addressed. According to a
recent YouGov survey, security officers
were viewed both prior to and during
the COVID-19 pandemic as being only
slightly ahead of traffic wardens in terms
of undertaking a critical role.
The key objectives of this survey were
to establish current public perceptions
and also unearth any additional issues
security officers may face including
potential lack of respect, recognition and
underestimation of their role. Less than
a third (31%) of the survey participants
deemed security officers fundamental to
keeping the UK safe and secure, with
41% of respondents indicating respect
for – and feelings of safety due to – the
work carried out by security officers.
When asked about these roles during
COVID-19, participants stated that,
sadly, security officers are not deemed to
provide an essential service.
Changing perceptions
Looking at some of the recognition
which takes place in our industry for
security officers, it’s easy to see why ‘The
Hidden Workforce’ campaign is keen to
change current perceptions and for the
public to know more about the work
transacted by security personnel.
Each year, the British Security Awards
realise a magnitude of entries in the
security officer categories leading to
recognition for officers who boldly go
above and beyond the Call of Duty in
their day-to-day activities.
For example, this year’s winner of the
Outstanding Act Award – namely Adam
Rich from Mitie – was nominated for
dealing with a violent shoplifter who
threatened and then stabbed him with a
shard of glass as he stood in the thief’s
way in order to protect shoppers and
other colleagues. Adam safely restrained
the perpetrator and awaited the arrival
of officers from the local police service.
2020’s Security Manager of the Year
Award was won by Babatunde Lawal of
G4S who uses his strong
communication skills and security
expertise to confidently lead his team
and provide a reassuring security
presence for the 2,500 daily users of
Caxton House (home of the Department
for Work and Pensions). Babatunde has
skilfully led his team through Brexit and
Extinction Rebellion protests, the
London Bridge terror attack and also a
stabbing incident at the Home Office.
The British Security Awards’
Outstanding Act winner in 2019 –
David Rutwaza, a retail security officer
with G4S – went on to win the
Outstanding Security Officer category at
this year’s Outstanding Security
Performance Awards. The citation states:
“David is the ultimate security officer.
His fearless and relentless desire to
protect everyone has seen him save a
disabled man’s life during a large fight,
talk down a young girl attempting to
commit suicide and intervene in an
attack on a PCSO where the culprit tried
to strike the officer with a hammer.”
Antiquated terminology
As well as changing perceptions, we also
need to change the antiquated
terminology used in this industry sector.
As of 16 October, the BSIA has
discontinued the use of the terms
‘security guarding’, ‘manpower’, ‘manned
guarding’, ‘security guard(s)’ and
‘Security Guarding Section’ across all of
its communication platforms. The
industry has evolved over the last
decade. It’s now more professional,
diverse and inclusive. We feel these
terms are now unrepresentative of the
services and skills on offer.
In place of these terms we will be
using ‘Security Officer’ and ‘Security
Officer Services (SOS)’ on our website,
for social media, in literature, on
agendas, application forms and
certificates and within e-mails. The
abbreviation for ‘Security Officer
Services’ – ie SOS – will be introduced
and can be used as and when required.
The language we use shapes the world
in which we live. It’s important for us all
to be using the correct descriptive
language within our own industry. This
will ensure that we’re highlighting the
knowledge, skills, ability and importance
of those operating in the Security
Officer Services Sector.
Now is the right time to embed the
term ‘Security Officer’ into the language
of our industry. This will positively raise
the profile and perception of our
business sector in the long-term.
Mike Reddington is CEO of the British
Security Industry Association
(www.bsia.co.uk)
/www.securitymattersmagazine.com
/(www.bsia.co.uk)
