Here at Churchill Support Services, we’ve long been an advocate for getting the right people in the right roles. It’s not only conducive to better business practices and more corporate success – it’s all part of cultivating an environment and a company where people are proud to work, and proud to give their all for.
It’s for that reason that we’re writing this article today. We’re incredibly passionate about what we do. We want to nurture that same level of enthusiasm in everyone we bring on board, and that all begins with our security officers. They’re the lifeblood of all we do, and we’re keen to provide an experience and a working culture that really helps them thrive.
Today, we’ll be exploring why deciding to become a security officer could be the right fit for you, and what you can expect working for a truly amazing company. Alternatively, if you’ve already set your heart on a role in our beloved sector, check out our complete recruitment page here to kickstart your journey today!
Of course, while there’s so many reasons to become a security officer, you’ll also need to be aware of the qualifications you’ll need beforehand. You cannot work as a frontline security officer without first achieving the right licence.
This is called a front-line SIA licence, and there are 3 common types. These include:
You won’t be able to work as a registered security officer without one of those licences. Most opt for a DS (Door Supervisor) licence, as this allows for you to gain employment at a wider variety of premises, but you can get started with an SG licence.
If you’d like to discover more, we’ve written a complete guide on how to become a security officer. This explores both what you need to do, and any prior experience you might need to secure your dream role.
Let’s delve into 4 of the most important reasons why you’d choose to become a security officer.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons behind why so many choose to become a security officer, there’s few roles that offer the same levels of opportunity to move across to new and exciting roles.
We don’t need to tell you just how diverse a sector security is. From officers stationed in gatehouses and at crucial entry points to premises, to the retail security personnel that keep supermarket shelves safe, there’s very few areas that don’t have that same presence. It’s the same presence that offers an incredible amount of progression and growth.
For instance, when you first start out as security officer, you’ll no doubt be finding your feet. That could be in the role, in the security industry in general, or in your site-specific duties. As you progress, you’ll soon start to realise that you can soon progress.
For many, that begins with event security. An area where security is of paramount importance (read more in our complete guide to manned guarding at events), the UK’s event scene is packed, and security officers – especially those with the right qualifications – are needed for every single occasion.
Event security isn’t the only option for progression, either. Mobile patrolling (crucial for larger sites), Banksman services and more specialised security (like working in hospitals or schools) are all excellent lateral moves that don’t require any further formal qualifications.
Alternatively, opting to upgrade your existing SG or DS licence to a Close Protection (CP) licence can allow you to take on extremely lucrative work as a close protection officer. You could also choose to train as a canine handler, which are often given equally high-value work on more conventional security surroundings (such as on construction sites or engineering projects).
With some security companies, that’s just the beginning. Here at Churchill Support Services for instance, more than half of all our senior leadership team and management started life as either a front-line security officer or an apprentice. It’s a commitment we made long ago to give our people the opportunities their hard work deserves.
No matter where you begin life in the security sector, what truly matters is giving it your all, and truly taking an impassioned attitude to what you do. With companies like Churchill, that’s rewarded with an open door to progression and growth.
While we’ve touched on how versatile the security role is for your progression, working as a security officer doesn’t always have to lead to a new role. In fact, for many, the pace and flexibility of manned guarding adapts well to their lifestyle, or offers a good opportunity to give back to the community.
Regardless of whether you do look to progress, one of the crucial reasons why you would become a security officer is the diversity and uniqueness of the locations where you’d work. You’ll very rarely need to be at a desk, if ever at all, and with so many sites up and down the country needing security, it’s rare you’ll have the same day twice.
Think about everywhere you’ve seen security professionals. Whether that’s on the doors of a bar or club, protecting shopping centres or retailers, or occupying the gatehouse at the entrance to an industrial estate, there’s a huge range of locations a security officer can be deployed.
At Churchill alone, we’ve got officers across the country on sites that range from powerplants to distribution centres. These are all in equally diverse locations, from out in the countryside to city centre offices. No two days are ever the same in our industry.
We’ve already touched upon how much the world needs security. In our shops and our warehouses, on industrial and housing estates, and even on building sites, there’s a constant demand for effective security professionals.
The threats to businesses have evolved significantly in recent years. While issues with shoplifting and supermarket theft have risen, others have evolved to become more sophisticated, and security professionals have had to evolve be one step ahead of criminals.
A rising level of crime is the primary reason behind the high level of demand for security professionals, but it’s equally true that, simply by being a trained officer in the right place at the right time, you’re providing exceptional peace of mind and reassurance for those who own those premises.
It’s something we’ve seen time and again as an industry-leader in the security industry. While some view security as a reactive measure to incidents on their site, others implement the measures proactively, cementing that site safety before anything can ever happen, and deterring criminals before they can ever create a disruption.
Regardless of where you’re employed, you’re a professional who’s always highly valued, and performs a role that’s crucial for keeping hundreds if not thousands of people safe.
It’s easy to assume that working as a security officer only teaches you how to protect property. That’s simply not true – you’re working on countless transferrable skills and characteristics that’ll translate to a huge range of different fields.
As an example, take a security officer who’s working at a distribution centre. Not only do they need excellent time-keeping skills (in order to effectively manage their shifts), they’ll also need to ensure they structure their time effectively to complete all their duties. They’re two highly desirable skills.
That comes in addition to site-specific roles, like:
All of these, alongside other smaller-but-no-less-important tasks like completing paperwork and accident logs, combine to create a thorough role profile that truly allows for security personnel to become well-rounded and experienced professionals.
Of course, now that we’ve explored exactly why you’d want to become a security officer, the next step is finding a company that can truly allow you to spread your wings and fly as a member of the security industry. Here at Churchill, we’re proud to provide exactly that.
With a long-standing reputation as the UK’s #1 SIA-approved security company, we’ve built a reputation as the country’s best and brightest. That’s top down, from our CEO (who began life as a frontline security officer himself) to each one of our officers at every single one of our sites. We are a legitimately passionate security provider, and that all begins with our personnel.
All of our officers have access to our expansive catalogue of training courses, as well as custom-built resources and packs that allow them to progress in this exceptionally diverse industry. That’s only the tip of the iceberg for our officers, and for everyone involved here at Churchill Support Services.
Our support network extends beyond training and guidance to incorporate robust mental health support – a rarity even in the modern age – to ensure that our officers not only feel valued but truly cared for.
It’s all part and parcel of the reason we continually find ourselves at the very top of the SIA’s rankings, and at the top of the list for businesses across the UK who are looking for security. Ready to join the cream of the security crop? Check out our complete recruitment page today to see our vacancies, and to start on the road to success.
