Reasons Alertness Is One Of The Most Important Traits For A Security Officer

Posted on: 9 December 2019

As a security officer, one of the most important traits you should have is alertness. Take a look at why alertness is one of the most important traits you can have with a security job. 

You will notice if someone is acting peculiar. 

When someone is coming into a place or onto a piece of property who has ill intent, they may give themselves away by acting in a peculiar way or doing something out of the general norm. However, the average person rarely pays enough attention to people to catch on if someone is acting off. As a security officer, being alert allows you to catch it when someone is acting out of the norm. For example, you may notice that an individual in a group is shifting anxiously from one foot to the next or constantly darting their attention around the room. 

You will be highly aware of your surroundings. 

Being fully aware of your surroundings is one of the very first things that people in law enforcement learn, and it is just as important if you step into the role of a security officer. When you are aware of your surroundings, you will: 

  • Immediately notice exit points within a space or in a building 
  • Know the best route of escape in the event of a drastic situation 
  • Be aware of things in the space that could be hazardous in a dangerous situation 

When you have an alert outlook, you will know a lot about the place you are in from the moment you step inside, which can be extremely important when you are trying to keep others safe.  

You will spot possible threats before they are a threat. 

Your job as a security officer is to keep people safe in dangerous situations, of course. However, in order to do so, you have to have the alertness and ability to recognize anything that could become a threat to the people in the vicinity early on. Multiple examples could be given, such as: 

  • An obvious disagreement between two people in a room that is quickly growing more heated 
  • A candle burning near a stack of napkins that are being shuffled by the wind 
  • A suspicious device in the room that could potentially be a placed explosive device

With security jobs being in high demand, it is helpful if you know what important traits you should have if you are interested in security as a career. Reach out to a company providing security jobs in an area near you to learn more. 

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