Security Patrol Officer

An exciting aspect of the security industry is Security Patrol. You will be expected to monitor the premises to which you have been posted. You could be part of a mobile patrol depending on how big the building you are protecting is. You will also be responsible for monitoring alarm systems and will be expected to jump into action should there be a breach of protocol or an emergency. You will work closely with other authorities to ensure that your building is well protected. There may be times when you will have to detain suspects who are trying to breach the compound. These are skills that you will learn during your training. If there is an emergency you may have to assist with the evacuation of the building. Above all, your detection and investigative skills need to be top tier. You should also strive to be physically fit as you will constantly be on your feet and will be tasked with many physical duties while you are on shift. You will have to learn quickly in this role as on your first tour of duty you could face an intruder or some other emergency that requires your attention.

Wage rate hourly

From £9.50 to £14.50
(usually includes weekends)

Total Cost

Starts at £250.00 and has a licence fee of £190.00

Typical hours

20 to 48 hours a week usually includes weekends

Requirements

SIA Licence (Door Supervisor, Security Guarding or Close Protection)

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How to become a Security Patrol Officer

Becoming a Security Patrol Officer can be exciting. You will require special skills to properly carry out your duties. Before you can be considered for employment you will have to obtain the relevant license. Two licenses are suggested for this position. They are the SIA Door Supervisor Licence or the SIA Close Protection Licence. Both of these licences will equip you with the skills that you need to properly carry out the duties of a Security Patrol officer. They will help you learn about the essentials of security and how to efficiently carry out your role. You can choose one out of the licences but bear in mind the better qualified you are the more you stand to make a better wage.

Course cost

The SIA Close Protection Licence course is a sixteen-day course and costs £899.99. There is a license fee to pay after training of £184.00 and it is valid for three years. You will also have to pass all of the examinations and practical assessments before you can get your license.

The SIA door supervisor licence is a six-day course that also features multiple-choice exams as well as practical assessments. The training for the license starts at £229.99. For only an extra £20 and two days, we think it’s best to cover your bases and be licensed for venues and positions which involve the sale of alcohol. This way you can be posted to a wider variety of assignments which could mean more cash for you.

There is also a licence fee to pay after training of £184.00 and it is valid for three years.

You can apply and pay for your licence, at a local post office or online. The total cost of the course and the license is £439.99. Some companies also require that you have a CCTV Licence.

Legal Requirements

The SIA licence requires you to:

Be over 18 years of age
Have proof that you are allowed to work in the UK ( such as a visa)
A criminal background check
A mental health check
Have passed your SIA course

You can find out more about the mental health requirements as well as the criminal background check in other blogs on the site.

Become a Security Patrol Officer

Start a successful career as a Security Patrol Officer by following these steps:

SIA Training

This is the first step to become a Close Protection Officer

Pass the course

Will include multiple choice exams and maybe a physical intervention assessment

Apply for your SIA Licence

You can apply for your licence through the postoffice after passing the course

Apply for jobs in your area

Once you have your licence, you can start applying for Security Patrol Officer jobs in your area

Course price from

££229.99

Licence fee

£184

Valid for

3 years

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Typical job description and responsibilities

This aspect of security requires that you are always alert and trained to quickly detect suspicious behavior.

Security Patrol Officer Responsibilities:

You will be directly responsible for the suppression of intruders
Detainment of those who try to steal from the company
Making frequent patrols at designated areas throughout the company and the surrounding area
You could be responsible for patrolling the inside or the outside of the compound
You are considered the first line of response for emergencies as well

In case of an emergency:

You should be familiar with how to interact with authorities in the event of an emergency. You should also become intimate with the building that you are protecting in case you need to help with the evacuation of it.

You will also be expected to know all the muster points at a company in the event of an emergency. Most times you will work in a team and could be responsible for mobile patrols as well.

You should expect to be on your feet a lot as you will have to constantly monitor not only the building but the security systems and alarms in place as well. Another aspect of your job may entail monitoring CCTV for any form of suspicious behavior or threats to the building that you have been assigned.

Following training for this role, you will be equipped with the skills to:

Patrol assigned areas on foot, by car or bicycle
Be on the lookout for suspicious or illegal activity.
Perform on-the-scene investigations.
Complete all necessary paperwork and provide testimonies in court.

Security Patrol Officers are also responsible for:

Helping people in trouble and rendering other public services.
Immediately responding to reports of emergencies or possible crimes and offering the necessary assistance.
Regulating traffic, enforcing traffic laws, investigating traffic accidents, and assisting motorists in need.
Building and maintaining positive relationships with community members.

Working Conditions

You must be physically fit for this job. The job is one that will keep you busy and you will be expected to maintain a strong physical presence at all times. This is to help deter any criminal activities. If called upon you should also be able to deter intruders and other threats. You will most likely work as part of a team and will patrol in rotations so that you are always alert and ready to intercept any danger. The job has exciting elements and is financially rewarding for those who keep training and learning.

Skills and personal qualities required:

A Security Patrol Officer needs to be:

Physically fit
A quick problem solver
Able to quickly communicate with the rest of the team in the event of an emergency
Able to quickly communicate with the relevant authorities in the event of an emergency
Able to detain intruders
Knowledgeable of licensing laws and health and safety regulations
Able to write incident reports

Education required

If you are considering a career as a Security Patrol Officer then all you need is to complete your SIA course. That means you do not need to have GSCEs.

You should bear in mind however that this can make getting the job highly competitive. That's because you will have to stand out to employers and you will be competing with anyone from any country who has a right to work in the UK.

Having a strong command of English can be a great asset as it means that you will be able to communicate with your team when needed and to write reports as required.

Benefits of the jobs/perks

Increased earnings as you become more trusted at your assignment
Learning more law enforcement techniques
Learning more about security monitoring systems
Learning how to respond to emergencies

- Life skills they would acquire

The level of physical fitness you are expected to have will help you to maintain your health in your personal life as well. You will also develop thorough investigative skills which can help you while conducting day to day activities. The job will also help you develop techniques that help you improve your concentration levels.

You can also expect to:

Learn about new security techniques
Learn about suppression methods
Learn conflict management skills

This aspect of security requires that you are always alert and trained to quickly detect suspicious behavior.

How much does a Security Patrol Officer actually earn

Wage rate and hours

This is a position where you can earn a lot, but of course, this is dependent on your experience. It’s another aspect of security where you could eventually earn a very good wage if you keep fit and up-to-date with the latest security techniques. You can expect to work between 28 to 40 hours a week and this could also include weekends.

How much does a Security Patrol Officer earn?

Becoming more skilled at the job over time will help you to significantly increase your earnings. Most new Security Patrol Officers start with about £9.50 an hour. As you continue to gain the necessary experience on the job you could see that increase to as much as £14.00 an hour. The more you show your dedication to the role and ensure the safety of your assignment the more money you can make.

The table below shows how much you could earn:

Experience	Hourly	Typical weekly (40 hours)	Typical annually (40 hours per week)
Starter	£9.50 to £12	£380 to £480	£19, 760- £24, 960
Mid-level	£12 to £14	£480 to £560	£24, 960 - £29, 120
Head	£14+	£500+	£29, 120+

The salary for this position is better than some other sectors of the security industry. That’s because you will be taking some risk as you will be involved in a very active part of security which may require you to confront lawbreakers from time to time. You will need to have a higher level of vigilance when performing your duties. While you can expect to make about £9.50 an hour when you begin you can also expect that to grow, once you show competency. As you gain more experience you could get to the point where you receive about £14.00 an hour and an annual salary of at least £29, 000.