Many people assume, incorrectly, that competent retail security teams are ten a penny.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Retail security officers are very highly skilled and must complete rigorous training to ensure they can complete their job with confidence while remaining legally compliant – no matter the circumstances.
To find out more about the requirements skilled retail security must meet in order to do their job – read on!
· SIA Qualifications
The industry of security staff may have been unregulated in the past, but times have changed – much for the better.
Now, all doormen, bouncers, retail security staff, and personal security must undergo regular SIA training to ensure they are suitably qualified and remain at the top of their game.
Depending on their job role, staff must now have their SIA Security Guard Training licence or SIA Door Supervisor Licence, which should be topped up every 3 years to remain qualified.
While the modules on each course differ, SIA qualifications are recognised by the UK government and are designed to give both a theory and practical understanding of the job role, the legal expectations they must follow, conflict management, and safe physical intervention skills.
Choosing to hire retail security staff without this qualification in the UK would be illegal and can incur large fines – as well as being a huge risk to the safety of your staff, patrons, and the general public.
· Personal Skills
While the qualifications your staff hold are legally enforceable, the skills they have personally are also incredibly important – as more often than not, these can’t be taught.
Gone are the bully-boy antics and intimidation factor that was a staple of doormen in years gone by, replaced with personable, reliable, versatile brand ambassadors that people choose to approach.
All retail security from a reputable third-party provider, like Double Check Security, are suitably qualified, background checked, and have the skills needed to work with the public, including:
- Excellent communication skills
- Patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence
- Professionalism – even in the face of disruptive or violent behaviour
- Superb customer service skills
- A desire to help others
- A naturally calm, genial outlook – that remains when challenged by stress or multiple potential threats
This makes them great in an emergency and also allows them to uphold the values of your organisation and help visitors in times of calm – making them a valuable and flexible asset for your company.
· Experience In The Industry
It is a common assumption that all retail security does is patrol the store and stand in readiness at the main entrance or exit.
However, the day-to-day duties of retail security are wide and varied and can change regularly – meaning staff need to be competent in many disciplines.
This can include:
- Interacting with shoppers and offering excellent customer service
- Monitoring CCTV
- Covertly observing customers as they enter and leave, to assess threats
- Watching for suspicious behaviour, including loitering and forced entry
- Patrolling internal and external areas
- Liaising with outside agencies and emergency services when needed
- Diffusing complex and often fraught situations that can easily escalate into anti-social behaviour or violence
- Working with volatile subjects in a legal and reasonable manner
Quite often, job roles can change on a dime, leading to an increased need for flexibility, self-confidence, and the highest quality staff to minimise the risk of losses and disruption.
Contact Double Check Security For The Best In Retail Security
As an excellent visual deterrent and a highly skilled yet excellent value-for-money resource, a retail security team is often the best step for securing your premises and stock and keeping staff and visitors safe.
To discuss your bespoke security needs, no matter your budget, why not give us a call on 020 3794 8182 or email us – we’ll be in touch as soon as we can to get your package underway.
