"I enjoy saving people’s lives." - Olu

In our latest edition of Behind the Licence, Get Licensed speaks with bodyguard to the stars Olu ‘Henchy’ Johnson. In this candid interview, Close Protection Operative Olu lets us know his thoughts on the security industry and what it’s like being an international bodyguard.

What made you decide to get into the security industry?

I got into the security industry by accident. My background is actually law and I worked in criminal law for three years. My friend Shayne went to apply for a SIA licence and told me that I should do this and I was like “no thank you.” Shayne said “you should do this with me” and he told me that I’m a people person and I will do well. The day I did it, I literally got the last place on the course and now I’m an international bodyguard.

What types of security have you worked in?

I have done everything. I’ve done venue security, CCTV, worked with dogs, events, asset protection, residential protection, transit protection, and undercover work; worked with the police and worked with the council.

Do you think it’s important to do additional courses such as First Aid

100%. The more you know about people, the more valuable you are. People have this idea that security is about saying no to people; sometimes security is about saying yes or asking what’s wrong. And if people tell you something’s wrong and you can’t do anything about it then there’s no point in you asking. Your job primarily might be to keep people safe and if you’re useful enough you can help to stop someone bleeding, a pregnant person or someone over-dosing. What you do in the first three minutes can determine if someone lives or someone dies. So it’s definitely worth it.

Have you had any instances where you had to use additional skills you learnt?

Yes. A fight took place; someone had been stabbed and didn’t know that he had been stabbed. A guy comes over, collapses and now he’s pouring out with blood on his side. You have to stop the bleeding and equally you have to know how much not to do because then you become responsible for anything that happens to that person. Immediately apply pressure to where the blood’s bleeding from and clear the area because you need to operate. This guy actually had two stab wounds. At first we were just closing one and until people moved back we couldn’t see.

A second instance, someone had overdosed on something. Their friend had lied about what they were taking ‘cause obviously it’s illegal. At this point that’s not important to me. It was important to find out the truth about what this person was taking.

How important is your physique for your career?

There are two answers to this. It is important because if you look good you get booked. But some of the best paid guys don’t necessarily look good; they’re not huge and they don’t have massive biceps. There is also a divide in America that there are many tall guys who get hired but they are skinny. People assume if you’re tall you’re great at it because you can see from a distance. Equally, if you’re tall it can take a long time for you to pick someone up.

Looking good helps but what you know is more important than how you look. There’s no point looking good but you are constantly attacked or can’t plan an entry route. Is it important to be fit? Yes, fit doesn’t always mean looking the stereotype. There’s a stereotype of big muscles, tattoos and bald head. But looking good does help.

Are more women needed in the security industry?

100%. There’s a huge gap in the market. The more variety of women there are it’ll be easier for people to relate to those who look like them. So women jump on board.

How did you become a celebrity bodyguard?

Through being a bodyguard for R&B singer Omarion. I am a musician, and I used to play for the Afrobeats artists who came over. Cokobar were one of the biggest promoters at the time and they used to put on all the shows. I used to pester them and tell that I have a CPO licence now and I’m a bodyguard. One day they phoned me and told me Omarion was coming and they needed a Close Protection Officer. Being Omarion’s bodyguard was my first celebrity job, and that’s when I knew when things get off the ground that’s all I’m going to do.

Can you give us some names of people you have guarded?

Omarion, Ace Hood, Prince, Migos, Jason Derulo, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Williams, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Kate Moss.

You were Yianni’s (Yiannimize) bodyguard at the London Motor Show. Tell us a bit about that.

The London Motor Show and Get Licensed were fun. They had a really cool Lambo out. People were queuing up for Yianni.

Do you have a typical day?

When you’re working anything can happen, especially with entertainers cause it’s about whatever they want to do. The itinerary might say it’s a four or six hour day but it ends up being a sixteen hour day and literally anything can happen.

Can you tell us about a crazy story that happened to you whilst working?

Taz’s angels were in town. This was when DSTRKT were still open. There were some females who really wanted to get into their VIP table and I told them no. This girl comes up with her friend and rubs my knee and asks what can she do to get in and I told her she can step back. And she whispers to me that she will do anything, and I tell her to step back and she pops her boob out and we are in the middle of the club and I’m like ‘you’re gonna have to put that back in because you’re not getting in.’ Her friend was like ‘hold on, I got this,’ and she reached out and I told her to put her hand down. Then she kisses her friend, and I told them they need to go away cause I refuse to be caught out.

What do you like most about being a bodyguard?

If you asked me this five years ago, I would have said travelling and being around the music because I play music…I enjoy everything about it now. As weird as it sounds, I enjoy saving people’s lives. I’ve never had to save people’s lives like that but that’s my responsibility whilst I’m there. So every time we get back the same way we left that’s it. It’s not a job for me, it’s a career. When my days are done, they’ll be like nothing went wrong on his watch. I feel like a boxer. That nothing bad happens.

What have been your biggest achievements as a bodyguard?

Nobody’s died on my watch, nobody’s been robbed. I know it sounds mundane. At the level I’m at now I’m not interested in how famous you are. Can you afford me? Half of my better clients aren’t famous, they’re just wealthy. My achievement is being worth the money that I charge… that a) you can’t afford me and b) You don’t understand how I work. I now don’t negotiate on how I’m going to do my job.

What advice would you give to those who want to get into the security industry?

Learn about people. As big and as strong as I look and I am, I say sorry to people all the time. I massage their egos, I compliment their shoes. You need to find an easy common ground. As big and strong as I am I you need to learn about people because you can’t have any enemies. You can’t afford to have any personal beefs ‘cause you’re easy to find. Learn how to say sorry, how to say please.

What licenses do you have?

I have a Close Protection Licence, driver’s licence and I’ve completed the Emergency First Aid at Work course.

Are you interested in becoming a Close Protection Operative like Olu? Click below to view more information

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Wendy – “When I turned 50 I vowed to enjoy life and that’s what I do.”

Wendy

READ WENDY'S STORY

“There was no way I was going to let him die” - Carl

Our Behind the Licence series takes a look at the men and women who have trained to hold a licence and work in their chosen field, whether that be having an SIA Licence as a Door Supervisor, or a Bar Manager with a Personal Licence.

This week we speak with 43 year old Carl Simpson. A Security Guard who lives and works in Sunderland and has been working in the security sector for over 20 years.

Carl discusses how he first began working as a Door Supervisor at the age of 19, and how one morning while starting his shift he was faced with a life changing incident, and how his actions would save the life of a little boy.

Why did you become a Security Guard?

Back in the day when I was 19 a lot of my friends were already Door Supervisors and they introduced me to this line of work and I have just done it since.

What do you like most about being a Security Guard?

Just being around people and the public and the job itself, including all the lads that I work with. It’s a great team.

What’s the most important skill for a Security Guard?

Being able to interact with the public and just being able to talk to the public and interact with them.

Does physical appearance play an important role in this job?

No, not necessarily, it does help with certain situations but it is not necessary. There are women doing this job too so it is not just a male originated job.

Tell us about your first aid lifesaving experience

It was pretty early in the morning so the shopping centre had not long since been open. I had just gone down to start my shift when there was a woman running up the mail screaming and hysterical saying that they needed a Security Guard or a First Aider at the café at the bottom of the centre.

I shouted out to the woman ‘what had happened?’ and was informed that a little boy was chocking and so I communicated it through to the radio that I was making my way down there so that the guys in the control room had CCTV Cameras already placed on the incident.

At the bottom of the centre there was a lot of commotion, chaos and people panicking when I had arrived. I saw a little boy being passed around from different people with members of the public trying to intervene to help.

Everybody, including his mum were in a state of shock and panic as you would in that situation. By the time I had arrived the little boy had been chocking for about 2 minutes and had turned blue.

A lot of people were trying to help but didn’t know what to do exactly, so I come into the situation and took over from there.

How did you save the boy from chocking?

A guy had him upside down and was patting him on the back but not doing it the correct way. The little boy was coughing out bits of blood so I intervened and grabbed the lad and started doing what they call the hymek manoeuvre, which is like backslaps between the shoulder blades while bent over doing chest lunges, and it wasn’t working.

I had the guys from the control room calling out from the radio saying that paramedics were on their way and that an air ambulance had been deployed. By this point now the boy had been chocking for just over 3 minutes now.

I kept trying to perform chest lunges but nothing was coming up apart from just a lot of blood. At one point I thought that he had coughed up what he had chocked on, which I learnt was a sausage that he had for breakfast in the café and so I had stood him up and he had coughed a little bit of it up and everyone seemed to be a little bit relieved, but then we released that it had in fact not been coughed out which is when he eyes began to roll back and he turned a grey colour, so I had to begin all over again.

I still had the control room telling me to keep going as paramedics were still on their way so I continued as I thought that there was no way I was going to let him die. One of my work colleagues had brought the defibrillator just in case we had to perform CPR.

At this point I lifted him back up and started to do chest thrusts and back slaps again and then all of a sudden, a lot of blood came out of his mouth with a big chunk of sausage. As soon as the sausage came out of his mouth his arms flopped forward and his skin turned from a grey colour to pink and he started breathing again.

Interested in becoming a Security Officer like Carl? Click below to learn more.

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Wendy – “When I turned 50 I vowed to enjoy life and that’s what I do.”

Wendy

READ WENDY'S STORY

I've not found it difficult as a female in this Industry" - Wendy

Standing at a petite 5 ft, Wendy is probably the least likely contender to work in the security sector. However, don’t let the height fool you, as this 52-year-old mum has been around the security sector for much of her life, raising 2 sons who work in the security industry themselves. The security sector has always held a stereotype of the unnerving ‘tough guy’.

But in the case of Wendy, it just goes to show that literally anyone can train to work in the security sector, even the ones that you would least suspect.

Starting as a Steward

I’ve mainly been stewarding at events. I started last year and Creamfields 2018 was my first event. I loved being in the control room at Creamfields, being in the hub of the festival and learning all that goes on behind the scenes and seeing my son doing a job that he is very good at and well respected for. It was a proud Mum moment. Both of my sons have always worked in security from as soon as they were old enough. So, my house has always had security guys about.

I had just finished my BSc (Hons) in Psychology with CBT and I asked my son if I could work with him and he agreed. He has his own security company, Facilitate Security Ltd. Previously, I had been stewarding at football and rugby events but only recently completed my SIA course.

Getting her SIA Licence

I wouldn’t say there have been many crazy moments as working in the security sector, most would say I’m the crazy part of the scenario. When I turned 50 two years ago, I vowed to enjoy life and that’s what I do. I’m lucky that I have another business so don’t need to rely on earnings from working in this industry and do it for fun. I love having a laugh with everyone (a few women included), I have a great rapport with the fans at the various events I do the security for and get to attend some great events. I’ve worked in a customer service environment since I was 10 years old, so I rarely have situations that I can’t handle or find difficult and I work with a great team of people who I know I can rely on if things get tough.

Working as a woman in the security sector

I’ve not found it difficult being female in this industry and will often say to the guys I’m working with, that if someone needs to be spoken to, then it’s probably less confrontational if I speak to them. At 5ft tall they don’t see me as someone they need to be confrontational with and it can defuse a situation. Personally, I’ve always preferred working in a mainly male environment and easily have a laugh with them.

Is the security sector for you?

I do think you have to have a certain confidence to work in this industry and it’s not for everyone but there are so many variations of this job. From events, doors, static and hospitality. Find what area suits you by trying them all. Also, it can be hard work, working 12+ hour shifts at festivals and not having much sleep.

Being out in all types of weathers isn’t always glamorous. I would recommend that anyone thinking of joining the security industry to try stewarding first, learning what it’s like to be in environments such as football terraces and other passion fuelled situations, as it can be very different when you are surrounded by thousands of boisterous fans singing.

My time in this industry has been great fun with great people and long may it continue.

Want to work in the security sector? Whether it’s as a Door Supervisor or CCTV Operator. There is a licence and a career for you. Click on the link for more information…

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

"The time I fell into security, also happened to coincide with the hardest period of my life" - Dean

Back when I started out, this game was all about catching people; restraining them, getting them arrested or banned from a store. It was about playing the hero. Now – in the retail industry at least – I find myself playing the unlikely hero.

The time I fell into security, also happened to coincide with the hardest period of my life. I had come out of a messy divorce and lost custody of my daughter. I could only see her fleetingly on weekends and the frequent goodbyes were unbearable. I had trouble sleeping at night, found socialising hard and just wanted to vanish.

I was working in retail as a shop floor supervisor at the time. I had been there a few years and did well to get promoted, but ultimately, I was bored. I grew tired of doing the same thing day in day out. Crazy as it sounds, the times I truly enjoyed the job were when bad things seemed to happen. If the fire alarm sounded and we all had to evacuate the store, or if some form of danger presented itself, suddenly I cared. The store I worked in regularly used security guards. Often, I would joke and talk candidly with them. The more I spoke with them, learning of their experiences, the more it stirred my curiosity. In fact, there were many incidents where I found myself going beyond my supervising duties, choosing to get my hands dirty to assist the guards. At that point I figured, why not just go the whole hog and fully commit. So, I quit my job as supervisor and did the minimum amount of training required to get myself into uniform.

It’s hard to believe, but that was over fifteen years ago. The first store I worked in (as security) was based in London’s busy Westend. The store was riddled with issues – theft being chief among them. What surprised me most was that not all thefts had been external, some were internal. Often, I had the awkward task of seizing the very people I trusted and worked alongside, but this wouldn’t prove my biggest challenge.

Based with a certain retailer, I had to work during one of the most stressful times of the year: the sale period. For a limited time, a selection of the stock was reduced to half price and this would attract hordes of customers.

I remember my first experience of it. Nothing could prepare me. I arrived at the store at 4am on Boxing Day and the queue stretched for what looked like a mile. There must have been at least five hundred people waiting in line, eager to storm the entrance. At the time, I had little experience of crowd control and seeing such high volumes of people left me overwhelmed. The issue was that the store could only accommodate 390 people and clearly the queue had exceeded way beyond that number. My initial reaction was sheer panic, but as a security guard, it’s important not to exhibit fear, even if you feel it within. The point is, you are the port of call when something goes awry, so you must remain calm and positive. You have a responsibility to take control of a situation.

I spoke with the store manager and he stressed to me that the store capacity was 390 and the numbers in the queue had far exceeded this. He said, ‘I cannot afford to risk letting all of these people inside. It will be a huge health and safety breach.’ The first thing I did was calm him down and I told him we should analyse the queue and establish where the 390 mark is. So, we decided to open the doors and allow the max capacity of 390 to pour in. I then nominated five members of staff to monitor certain sections of the queue, covering the front, middle and back. Once all 390 people were inside I had to implement a 10 in 10 out system to moderate the capacity. Inevitably, I had to deal with some impatient customers and some got abusive, but I found a bit of banter and light humour seemed to cool them off. So long as you communicate clearly to people what the issue is, nine times out of ten, things won’t escalate.

Today, I continue to work as a security guard in the retail sector, but things have since changed. Shops are closing one by one because people are spending less in store and more online. The days of seeing queues of five hundred are fast becoming a thing of the past. Similarly, my role has changed. Retailers now expect customer service from their security guards. We are now classed as ‘loss prevention officers’. While the job has grown more sedate over the years, I still welcome the odd dose of adrenalin when things get heated. I think that’s why I’ve never left this profession. The appeal of playing the hero is hard to shake off.”

Interested in becoming a Security Guard? Click below to learn more.

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

"If I sense things are escalating, I’ll ask my colleague to come back me up." - Anthony

I’ve been doing security for 26 years, not just in London, but Essex, Kent – everywhere. I fell into it through my brother in-law. He asked if I wanted to earn a little bit of extra money back in the day. I said no at first, told him: ‘nah, I’m too small to be doing security.’ But I later learned that that’s not what counts, it’s the knowledge of using common sense. I’ve found over the years, the most effective way for me to do this job is to always look at people from a distance. I can tell by the way they’re approaching the venue, by the way they’re acting within themselves, if they’ve just left work, if they’ve been to another bar and so forth. All these things equip me with the tools to do my job well.

“If I sense things are escalating, I’ll ask my colleague to come back me up.”

My first gig was a pub in Essex and I’d been thrown straight in the deep-end – but there you go. I wasn’t told what to do, I had to just buckle down and get on with it.

I had a knife pulled out on me once. It happened during a fight that broke out inside a venue. What went through my mind at that moment? To be honest, I can’t really say on camera. At the end of the day I went to court and the attacker also got summoned. Luckily, I was the one who got off, so justice was served I suppose. I try to not let these things affect me, if you do you’re in a world trouble. A job like this comes with all sorts of risks and you can’t pretend they’re not there. It’s all part and parcel of keeping order.

In terms of other work, I’ve done corporate security, red carpet; in fact, the only type I haven’t done is hotel security. The gig I’m most comfortable with is what I’m doing now, door work. It’s the interaction with people I really like, the adrenalin – not from when something goes wrong. It’s more about enjoying the company of others, you know? They’re enjoying their time and I enjoy it with them, which always feels good.

I did think about doing CCTV Training, but I’m at that age now – I’m fifty-four. I was going to hang up my badge when I turned forty, but decided to do a little work over the Christmas period and stuck it out ever since (fourteen years later to be precise!). I guess I felt too comfortable to quit. That’s the thing about this work, you get used to it very quickly and start to feel very much at home with it.

If you’re thinking about doing a job like this, I’d say go do whatever course is offered to you. If the course you stumble across is free, then do it by all means! Similarly, it’s worth every penny if you pay. The SIA course I did back when I started was from a very long time ago, so I’m sure a lot has changed since then. But one thing I do know: a job like this is flexible and can provide a great back-up, should you need it. Originally, I took this job on as a side gig, but now I can proudly call it my profession.”

I had a knife pulled out on me once. It happened during a fight that broke out inside a venue.

Interested in becoming a Door Supervisor?

Click below to learn more…

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

I would recommend this job to anyone - Nicholas

I always greet people and can tell instantly by the way they talk, whether they’ve had too much to drink.

I’ve been doing this work since November last year. I used to work for the trains, at the gate lines. I’d get abuse of customers all the time and couldn’t defend myself. So, I decided: I’m going to change my life and get my badge. It took me ten months to get this. My past life was a bit wild, so I had to prove myself worthy of my badge. I’d say one of the hardest parts of the job is standing on your feet. We work between seven to ten hours, and if we’re lucky we get a twenty-minute break. But here, where I currently work, we often work seven hours straight.

On a plus note, there’s the customer service side. I’m good with punters and see myself as a people’s person. I generally get on with everyone; people respect me, and I respect them. The way I work is this: I treat people how I want them to treat me, and that’s the simplest way to get by.

My work in this sector isn’t just limited to clubs, I work at hotels too. For instance, the Sunday just gone I was working for an establishment and received a call at four thirty in the morning. I was told that a diabetic guest had failed to leave his room and I was sent to check up on him. When I opened the door, I found him lying on his bed passed out, because of low blood sugar. So, I called the ambulance and waited for them to come. I kind of saved his life because I had to lay him on the floor and comfort him, whilst they told me what to do over the phone. I do have first aid training, but I need to renew it. I intend to re-take the test soon. So, working in this sort of job you find yourself dealing with all sorts of situations; from fights to the example I just mentioned.

Down the line I would like to do my CCTV licence, then close protection. One by one I want to get them under my belt and broaden my skills. However, of all the jobs I’ve done, this is my best one. I love interacting with people. I’m a helpful person by nature and like nothing more than to come to work and watch everyone enjoy themselves and then get home safe; that’s my goal. In terms of spotting potential trouble, I’ll always study body language and watch eyes carefully. A person’s eyes can say a great deal: weakness, fear, suspicion, anger, aggression – it’s all there on display. The thing is, everyday I come to work, my mentality is this: I deal with people how I want them to deal with me. I’m polite and respectful, so I don’t really get any trouble. The worst I get is the occasional drunk playing ‘Jack the Lad,’ and I have to restrain them and say, ‘you know what? Calm down or I’ll send you home.’ But that’s not to say the risks should be ignored. At the end of the day, I have five children and a loving family. Funnily enough, my dad was a doorman from back in the day, and my brother is also a doorman, so it kind of runs thick through our blood.

I would recommend this job to anyone…

I would recommend a job like this to anyone. If you’re thinking of doing it, do it. It’s the best work I’ve ever done and looking at this badge puts a smile on my face every time. It took me six days to get it and I got it through Get Licensed! It cost me a bit of money, but it was well worth it in the end and paid off massively. I don’t think I’ve ever looked back since and I’ll continue to look forward.”

Interested in becoming a Door Supervisor? Click below to learn more…

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

Felix - "How to handle yourself in a job like this? The key is to not give in"

“Manners don’t hurt. If a person gives you negativity, always show politeness. I had a man here once who was seriously drunk. I didn’t want to let him in. He insulted me, physically poked me, did everything you could imagine. Ten minutes later he got tired and went home. He knew he wasn’t going to win.

Body language, attitude and a punter’s motivation are big things to consider.

I was born and raised in Brixton, London. My mum’s Spanish and my dad’s Peruvian, so I’ve got the Spanish connection. I had been working in construction, and out of nowhere I had this weird dream. I saw myself working on the door of a club and when I woke up, I thought: you know what? I’m going to get my licence. Someone told me I should go for it – so I did. The first thing that popped up in my online search was Get Licensed. I went along to the course, but I still had my construction job to go to right after my exam. I was panicking because I thought I wouldn’t make it in time. In the end, I failed first time round, because I couldn’t concentrate. So, I spoke with my boss at the construction site and said, ‘Look you’ve got to give me one day.’ He gave me a day off and I went straight to the exam and passed my SIA training. Then I found a company, they took me on and their first job for me was at WeWork. I loved it. They had great connections, it was beautiful.

Then came the night clubs. I had been securing an exit door of a certain establishment, and within the first five minutes some violence broke out downstairs. I think there was some sort of dispute and I had to go break it up. That night, I chucked out five people because they were being rude and threatening to staff and so forth.

I was juggling WeWork at the time and out of nowhere, my company calls me and says we need you at a certain jazz club, and I said: ‘oh, I ain’t got time!’ They replied: ‘we need you there for eight,’ but I had to close WeWork at eight! How was that going to be possible?! So, I just left a bit earlier and ran to venue in a sweaty panic. Once there, they showed me the ropes and I loved it. A month later I found myself working at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s. After a strange case of déjà vu, I found myself stood on this very door, chatting to a colleague. I said to him: ‘I had this dream, I was meant to be here.’ Since then, I’ve never left this venue. I love it here. I get to know all the artists that perform here, get to know the history of this place. Believe it or not Jimi Hendrix performed his last performance here at Ronnie Scott’s.

How to handle yourself in a job like this? The key is to not give in. Whatever they throw at you – even if they mention your mother, anything, just don’t give in. Because that’s when you cave and show weakness. You know who wins? You, by laughing and brushing it off. It’s the same deal with fights, because they can sometimes happen outside on the street. There was one incident in a club (not this one) where a guy had chatted up another’s girlfriend. It was three guys against another three and I had to get right in middle of them to break it up. I got there right before they came to blows and that was out of sheer luck, because I had just arrived at the door to see this ruckus. The first thing I think in situations like this is, is anyone injured? Then: is anyone else going to get involved? If I’m just one person and there’s say, twelve people involved, I must consider the two hundred or so people in the vicinity who could also get hurt.

Body language, attitude and a punter’s motivation are big things to consider. For example, when people get to the door and say they want a drink, I politely remind them that there’s a venue upstairs as well, showcasing live performances. In short, it’s my way of saying, you must be respectful, that this is classy joint, and you can’t just get leathered. We’re very picky here at Ronnie Scott’s, it’s a nice venue and very calm, and we like to keep it that way. I’m always mindful of potential trouble, you have to be. My trick, if there’s a group and one of them is too drunk, I always seek out the best friend. I’ll always say: ‘Look mate, please take him home, help him out, be a good friend.’ And if there’s a couple and it’s the girlfriend who’s kicking off, I’ll say: ‘Please, take your girlfriend home. She might get hurt going down the stairs.’ There’s an eighty to ninety percent chance that it works.

You need patience and manners to do a job like this. If you don’t, buy a pillow, go into the cloakroom and start screaming into it. Just don’t lose it, because you’re not only representing yourself, you’re representing the club.”

My trick, if there’s a group and one of them is too drunk, I always seek out the best friend

Interested in working as a Door Supervisor? Click below to learn more…

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

"Security is one of the few professions that offers great flexibility" - Jack

“I spend a lot of my time searching people’s bags, checking for alcohol, especially in a place like this, where it’s widely sold on the premises. Sometimes I’m met with resistance and I’ll be like: ‘can I search your bag?’ and they’ll say: ‘why you gotta search my bag?’

There’s a comfortable work/life balance to be had

It’s like they don’t understand that it’s a necessary precaution, that I’m just doing my job. Of course, If they refuse, then I can’t let them in, which can sometimes cause tension, but it rarely happens. Most of the time people are friendly and willing to cooperate.

Unlike most of my colleagues, I only do this job part-time because I’m studying at uni. It’s been just over a year since I begun working in this sector and I started last summer – after my first year at university. It’s all very convenient because security is one of the few professions that offers great flexibility. If I worked in a restaurant for example, I’d be contracted for fixed days and fixed hours, whereas security is different. Currently, I work for a company called Headline Security. It’s shift based work and although the hours are long, (they range from ten to twelve) it means I can work fewer days a week which frees up my time. There’s a comfortable work/life balance to be had and I think that’s crucial in any job.

Whether full-time or part-time, doing a job like this, there’s a great sense of responsibility I feel when performing it. I think it stems from dealing with large crowds of people, there’s just so much to be mindful of: parents with children, the homeless, young people, potential thieves, I could probably go on. When I first started this job, I was a little nervous. As with any new job, there’s always a part of you that feels fear. I guess you could call it a fear of the unknown. Like most jobs, this fear tends to fade with time as you build your confidence, but security is different. There’s always the possibility that something scary could happen at any moment, at any given time. Weeks and even months could pass where the threat is minimal, and you start to think to yourself: this job is so chilled! But when something does happen, you feel as though the rug has been pulled from beneath you. I think that’s what appeals to me most about this job, the fact that things can change unexpectedly. It keeps you on your toes and teaches you to be aware of absolutely everything.

A music festival I worked at recently, a huge fight broke out. One minute I was seeing happy faces and dancing bodies, and the next, I saw a group of men suddenly pile into one other, trading violent blows and shouts of abuse. It was the first and only time I’d ever witnessed something unpleasant on the job. I was new to it back then, so you can imagine how intimidated I felt. Fortunately, one of the senior security guards was on-hand to deal with it, and a response team soon arrived. Although I wasn’t directly involved, I was stood very close to the incident and could have easily got hurt. So now, when I’m on patrol, my mind is always switched on and my eyes never miss a thing. It’s exposure to these kinds of incidents that make you better at your job.

In terms of the work I’ve done, I’d say it’s been quite varied. As mentioned earlier, I’ve worked at music festivals and I think of all the types of venue, this is probably my favourite. Despite the obvious dangers, there’s something appealing about being in the thick of swaying crowds and loud music. It’s a great atmosphere to work in. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve worked at university graduations – again, large crowds but not as exciting. Currently, I work at The Real Food Market at Southbank Centre Square, right next to the London Eye. The role requires me to stand by the entrance and monitor people coming and going. In some cases, I will search their bags as well as keep an eye on the surrounding areas.

While I continue my studies, I think I’ll stick with a career in security, and maybe beyond, as something to fall back on. I’ve met people who have done this work for many years and that’s got to mean something. It’s a career that can offer inroads to many industries, and while the work itself can be challenging at times, it always feels fresh.”

“Full-time or part-time, there's a great sense of responsibility I feel.”

Interested in becoming a Door Supervisor. Click below to learn more….

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

"I could have ended up in prison or worse" - Phil

“I was a bad apple when I was younger, and my mother cottoned on quickly. She always felt I needed discipline. So, after many warnings she eventually caved and sent me packing. Before I knew it, I joined the army at the age of seventeen and remained there for several years.

Many ex-soldiers struggle to make the transition back to civilian life

When people hear my cockney accent they always assume I’m a Londoner. However, I was born in Germany and spent a lot of my childhood years in Gibraltar. After a long stint in the army, I decided to not stray too far from what I knew and opted to work in the security sector. Many ex-soldiers struggle to make the transition back to civilian life, so I wanted to ensure that mine wouldn’t be too difficult.

I have worked just about every form of security there is: festivals, doors, close protection, looking after celebrities, the red carpet, I’ve done it all. Yet what I’ve found is that no matter what industry you happen to be in, one is no more challenging than the other. Wherever you find yourself, the prospect of danger will always be near. Take where I currently work for example, it’s a real haven of activity, and you see people from all walks of life here. The surrounding area of Kings Cross station is a huge blend of restaurants, bars, shops, corporate buildings and many other points of interest. So, you can imagine the high volumes of crowds we receive. There’s a lot to consider when patrolling an environment like this: unattended children, teens bunking of school, the homeless, drunkards on a Friday, Saturday night. On top of that, an area like this is extremely high profile, meaning the possibility of a terrorist threat should never be overlooked.

This job can often feel demanding and I think were it not for my military background, I’d probably struggle to cope. A large part of this role requires you to stand for prolonged periods watching people, studying them, seizing potential situations before they escalate. Although we’re primed for every scenario, a lot of the time nothing really happens, which, strangely, can often prove just as challenging. The endless hours of standing idle will test your limits.

If there’s one thing my military experience has taught me, it’s that you must leave your emotions at the door. Too tired? Cold? Fed up? Achy feet? You’re in the wrong job. I remember from my military days that a big part of our training required us to stand as sentries, monitoring areas and posts. We’d go for hours stationed in every kind of terrain, no matter the weather. When you get tired, the mind will start to play tricks on you. That’s when negative thoughts begin to seep in and you feel like giving up. When that happens, it’s vital that you focus your thoughts on the task at hand and rise above the obstacles. It’s all a state of mind really, and I apply this mentality to my current role working as a security guard.

Obviously, security work is far more sedate than being on the battlefield, but that’s not to say I haven’t been shot at or stabbed on the street. Things have gotten so bad among the new generation, it’s hard not to feel entirely safe. With gang stabbings and acid attacks grabbing the headlines, I sometimes wonder where we’re all heading. Kids aren’t kids anymore, they’re potential killers carrying knives in their pockets, when they’re not riding bicycles or glued to Instagram. It’s all very scary. I believe there’s never been a more crucial time to be a security guard, because let’s face it, there’s less police on the beat and the streets have become dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong, there are lighter moments. I get to meet wonderful people from all over the world and help answer their many queries. Some individuals are extremely sociable and warm; always keen to strike up good conversation. Then there’s the part of the role which appeals to me most: to feel I’ve made a difference. Being a first aider, I’ve helped the elderly, people with dementia and other such conditions. When situations like these arise, the job suddenly becomes more than simply protecting or maintaining safety. It becomes about giving and being selfless.

Friends of mine often joke and say stuff like: you should be wearing a bulletproof vest doing the job you do! You’ve got a death wish!

But then I remember how wild I used to be when I was a youngster. If my mother hadn’t sent me off to the army, how would I have turned out? I could have ended up in prison or worse. Thank God I listened to her.”

Kids aren’t kids anymore, they’re potential killers carrying knives in their pockets.

Interested in becoming a Close Protection Officer. Click below to learn more….

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY

"Maybe on a subconscious level I just wanted to play the hero" - Ali

“I like to slowly take everything in. I observe how people dress, listen to the pitch and tone of their voice. If they’re too loud, I’ll ask myself: are they a threat? Likewise, if a person walks past me in suspicion, looking erratic or on edge, I’ll ask again: are they going to be trouble?

When i think of the risks we take, I’m instantly reminded of my daughter

These questions flit through my mind daily, and strangely, although I’m on my feet stationed at a specific spot or off patrolling an area, I may look like I’m doing very little. But in my mind, I’m practically doing somersaults. I guess you could argue that I have an active imagination, but the fact is, working in a job like this, you must play out every possibility. Better to visualise first than witness something materialise later.

I’ve worked the security game for ten years in total, starting out in retail, but four of my most recent years have been spent here at Kings Cross, patrolling Granary Square. I had another life before this one. Originally, I’m from Lebanon and worked on the police force out there for fifteen years. As you can imagine there’s a lot of unrest in that part of the world and I feel fortunate to be here. I have a brother living here also, so setting up camp in the UK didn’t prove too difficult. I live with my wife and daughter and feel very blessed.

I can’t really say what led me to choose a profession like this. I suppose working as a policeman in Lebanon didn’t seem too far a departure from what I’m doing now. Although, you can’t draw comparisons between the two because the roles are so very different. I guess the dangers were far greater working in Lebanon and I was equipped with a side- arm, whereas here I have just my radio and pepper spray. That’s not say I can ever relax on the job. Many tourists frequent this area as well as city workers. The place is literally swarming with crowds, especially throughout the day, and with all the eye-catching architecture and surrounding markets, many would consider this a high-risk area for potential terrorists. I suppose that was the thing that drew me to a job like this, the demand for public safety. Maybe on a subconscious level I just wanted to play the hero, but I don’t entirely believe that to be true.

Danger is an inevitable part of the job, hero or not. In the many years I have worked in security there have been numerous risks to my life, and thankfully I’ve always managed to emerge unscathed. My most recent brush with near- death occurred right here at Granary Square not that long ago. With this being a busy stomping ground for city workers and tourists, it presents great opportunities for would-be thieves to work their magic. Unlucky for them, I don’t believe in magic. I remember a time where I caught someone directly in the act and made a run for him. I managed to rugby tackle him to the ground and while we tussled, my female colleague, who was stood nearby, happened to witness him reach into his pocket and attempt to pull out a knife. With lightening quick reactions, she was able to disarm him and probably saved my life in the process. We also recovered the stolen handbag and delivered it to its rightful owner. I’ll never forget the gratitude we received after

When I think of the risks we take, I’m instantly reminded of my daughter. At a tender age of twelve she already has dreams of becoming a doctor and I fear the worst sometimes, imagining her fatherless and the impact that could have. It’s a scary thought, but then I’ll stumble across a child her own age, lost or in danger whilst patrolling and ask myself: what if she was mine?

Truth is, we’re all somebody’s son or somebody’s daughter and I believe everyone needs protecting.

I’ll never forget the gratitude we received after.

Interested in becoming a Door Supervisor. Click below to learn more…

CONTINUE READING LICENSED LIFE

LICENSED LIFE

Olu – “I enjoy saving people’s lives.”

Olu

READ OLU'S STORY

LICENSED LIFE

Carl – “I continued performing CPR as there was no way I was going to let him die.”

Carl

READ CARL'S STORY