Security Officers are responsible for keeping property safe and staff secure. These trained professionals are often first-responders, responsible for quickly addressing and resolving potential security breaches and emergencies. The actions they can take include detaining potential offenders or removing them from the premises, performing first aid for the injured, and securing and restoring order. On a typical day, Security Officers control property access, physically patrol an area or monitor locations through cameras positioned in and around buildings, observe activity and complete reports about their activities.

In order to manage potentially dangerous situations, Security Officers should be clear communicators who can remain calm enough under pressure to assess and de-escalate volatile situations. They must successfully use their training to identify and respond to threats, quickly follow and execute standard security procedures, assist during medical emergencies and correctly operate security equipment.

Licensed Security Officers are specially trained professionals who play a critical organizational role. The training to become a Security Officer is specialized and includes standard security protocol, working knowledge of security technology and equipment, and understanding the process of emergency response.

Security Officers have the same basic authority as private civilians. The scope of their responsibilities depends on their job description. In general, they have the authority to maintain order on the premises that they are hired to protect, which may include detaining a suspect who poses a security breach. However, a Security Officer has no legal right to arrest anyone; successfully trained Security Officers learn how to work closely with law enforcement officers foster respectful, mutually beneficial professional relationships.

Security Officers can serve as first responders. Highly trained Security Officers who have the skills to assess and secure a scene and perform CPR, first aid and other life-saving procedures may be trusted to respond quickly and appropriately when an emergency occurs. However, this is not a standard Security Officer duty.

As of right now, there are no states in the US that require a fitness test to become a Security Officer. However, many companies do a physical screening to ensure that the prospects can perform the job that they are applying for. To be safe, you can either read the job description for the job you want or call for more information about the employers’ physical requirements.

To become an Unarmed Security Officer in NC/SC, you must be a US Citizen or resident alien who is at least 18 years old. You must be both mentally competent and have good moral character, with no drug or alcohol dependency.

To become an Armed Security Officer in NC/SC, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien, have no criminal history, complete course for unarmed Security Officer training plus an additional 20 hours of firearms training and score 80% or above on firearm qualification.

Not officially; the title is often used interchangeably.

According to Salary.com, the average Unarmed Security Officer salary in North Carolina is $30,876 as of December 26, 2019, but the range typically falls between $27,777 and $34,370. The average Armed Security Officer salary in North Carolina is $31,276 as of December 26, 2019, but the range typically falls between $28,137 and $34,814. It’s important to keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

While job placement assistance is not a formal part of our curriculum, as one of the oldest Security Officer training programs in the region we have many contacts throughout the industry. We often post recruitment flyers from employers looking to hire our graduates, and sometimes host recruitment companies on the premises.