Useful kit for Security Officers

It is true that the vast majority of the equipment you will need to successfully perform your role within the security industry, will / should be provided by your employer. “Be prepared” however, for any eventuality. Here is the essential kit that I carry with me, keep in the boot of my car, or in my locker at work.

Notebook & Pen:

Yes, most reports and shift management records are increasingly produced via an electronic device, but it is always a good idea to keep a note of important information. Think of the essential contact info, access and alarm codes, and brief details of any incidents that you have dealt with including who was informed and when. Make a note of anything that would cause problems if your duty phone, tablet or laptop went haywire.

Torch:

In most cases this will be provided by an employer and will be stored at your place of work, if required during your shift. As you’d expect, it will probably be the cheapest available that ticks the boxes for the requirements of the job.

Personally, I use my own, and take it with me nearly everywhere I go. Mine is compact, tough, waterproof, very bright when at the brightest setting, has a good battery life, and is rechargeable, avoiding costs of replacing batteries constantly. Find it here: https://shop.get-licensed.co.uk/products/led-flashlight

Hi Vis Vest:

You never think you’ll need one…….. until you need one. I keep one in my car and at work. Even those Corporate Security Officers, based in a nice dry reception, may be called upon to deal with an issue in the staff car park, or loading bay, or even attend an incident outside the building. In these cases, being seen is extremely important as danger lurks wherever there are any types of vehicle operating. https://shop.get-licensed.co.uk/products/hi-vis

Cable Ties:

What? Seriously? Sooner or later, as a Security Officer, you will come across a problem that a few cable ties can solve. Mending a hole in a wire fence. Temporarily securing a locker door. Making a DIY door handle when things break or disappear. Securing things that have been found in a dangerous condition, and on one occasion, cleverly solving a footwear malfunction when a shoelace broke. The longer you spend in the industry, the more you will appreciate the value of the humble cable tie!

Duct Tape:

This stuff was almost invented to solve security problems. I have had to use an entire roll of duct tape to secure a massive sliding showroom door, from inside, in a big name car dealership, when the manager forgot to lock it. All vehicles were safe till morning, although the staff may have needed to use some sticky stuff remover when they got in. Duct tape can make cracked windows safe, can be used to cordon off an area if needed, and thankfully, can reattach a damaged van headlight and bumper, in an emergency. It wasn’t my van by the way, in case you were wondering.

Slash Resistant Clothing:

It is a sad indictment of today’s society, that I have even thought to include this on the list, but violence against Security Officers, in all sectors of the industry, is increasing. There are now some excellent slash resistant gloves and forearm covers available, and frankly, if I was back working the doors, I’d be wearing them. When it comes to personal safety, do not wait for an employer to provide the kit required. Buy your own high quality stuff and use it when you need to. https://shop.get-licensed.co.uk/products/cut-proof-gloves & https://shop.get-licensed.co.uk/products/cut-resistant-arm-sleeve

First Aid Trauma Kit:

The mandatory SIA first aid training is all well and good, but many employers are waking up to the importance of advanced trauma training, and the improved outcomes this would provide in the event of terrorist attack, or even serious road traffic collisions. Being trained to use oxygen, defibrillators, or tourniquets, is no good however if this sort of life saving equipment is not available. You won’t find any of this in your basic statutory first aid kits, so I keep a small trauma pack in my car glove compartment. I would rather have this and not need it, than need it and not have it. Oh, and take some form of advanced training. Being fully trained to something like “D13, pre hospital care” standards, looks fantastic on a CV, and makes you highly valuable, especially at high profile sites or venues.

A Phone:

OK. We pretty much all have one of these, but they are possibly the most powerful tool for any Security Officer in certain circumstances. It isn’t the phone, but certain crucial apps that will be useful, so make sure you have these installed and are comfortable using them.

• A camera. Essential to record crime scenes, accident aftermaths, certain important documentation (but be careful you do not breach data protection law in doing so), and anything out of the usual that requires reporting.
• A voice recorder. There are also voice to text systems now, but sometimes having a voice record of observations, can be extremely useful, and allows you to keep your head up and remain alert, instead of with your head down writing. This can also provide a great memory aid for important discussions.
• GPS location and mapping. Especially useful for mobile patrol and alarm response Officers. There may be occasions when you come across an incident in an area that you are not familiar with, and being able to establish exactly where you are, and relevant road names and landmarks, can be potentially lifesaving.
• A torch function. It is almost an unwritten law that your torch will fail when you need it most, so having a backup on your mobile is a wonderful thing. Just don’t forget that you have it at 2am, and spend 3 hours stumbling around in the dark looking for the main entrance to the warehouse. I may have done this. It is embarrassing.

Most of the bits and pieces I’ve mentioned can be found in the very good value, Get Licensed online shop. Take a look at: https://shop.get-licensed.co.uk/

These are my security essentials, and I guarantee, at some time or another, you’ll need some if not all of the stuff listed. What would you include?

Be safe.