Security attacks have become more organized, sophisticated and very difficult to deal with. As a result, security officers must do a better job in responding to attacks. In order to effectively counter these attacks, a detailed intervention plan is needed.
Responsibilities of a Security Officer
The role of a security officer is a vital one. Among other tasks, a security officer is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of an organization’s security program. Duties may include inspecting people entering or leaving a facility and preparing clearances for those leaving the facility with items that belong to the organization. In addition, a security officer may be tasked with the responsibility of educating people in an institution about the importance of information as a corporate resource and why it is necessary to ensure that it is securely kept.
Other responsibilities of a security officer include creating and implementing security policies, procedures, and practices aimed at ensuring that every person understands what is expected. Having a security policy is one way of avoiding controversies.
Legal Authority of Security Officers in Criminal and Civil Cases
By and large, security officers are expected to act reasonably when dealing with a suspected offender. Improper conduct by a security officer may land him or her in trouble in the event that the suspect is affected by the actions of the officer.
The liability of a security officer may arise in a number of ways. An officer who assaults a suspect during arrest, for example, is answerable for his or her actions. In such situations, the court may be required to determine if excessive force was used by a security officer while attempting to take the suspect into custody.
Another ground for the potential liability of a security officer is when the authority of the state is used to deprive an individual of his or her protected rights. This is tantamount to abuse of office, and the officer involved is liable.
Types of Training Security Officers May Receive
According to Dempsey (2016), one of the vital trainings that a security officer should receive is rapid response to the needs of citizens. Apparently, this involves officers being deployed within the shortest time possible to deal with an incident. It is also helpful for officers to receive training in effective patrol operations. Officers should be made fully aware of the activities involved in patrol operations.
Risks Associated with the Role of the Security Officer in Regards to Incident Response
In the process of carrying out their duties, security officers may be faced with a number of risks. Ordinarily, most offenders are individuals with a criminal record and are likely to be aggressive when approached by security officers. For this reason, security officers must be careful when dealing with suspects since it is impossible to know the nature of the suspect.
As earlier explained, security officers also risk being accused if they do not exercise caution during arrests. In the event that a suspect is assaulted by an officer, the officer involved may be held liable and if found guilty, he or she may end up in court.
To avoid any form of misunderstanding, and to ensure the safety and security of security officers, it is advisable to have operations executed in groups rather than individually.
Conclusion
Based on the arguments presented in this paper, it is obvious that dealing with security is a very delicate matter. Consequently, security officers must be equipped with skills that are essential for effectiveness. In addition, state governments must ensure that security officers are provided with the best working environment for their safety.
Reference
Dempsey, J. S. (2016). An introduction to policing (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.