Security officers protect people, property, and assets. They are your man-of-all-work where the issue of security is concerned, from patrols, surveillance, security screenings, crowd control, and traffic management, among many other things. The role isn’t simply to “be around” as what some people might think. Being an effective security officer includes many skillsets and a specific set of professional training.

To be a security officer in Singapore and perform any of the above duties, one needs a security officer license from the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD). And before they get this security license, they will have to take and pass three Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Basic Licensing Units (BLUs), which are as follows:

1. Incident Response (Handle Security Incidents & Services)

Incident response is a crucial aspect of every organisation’s security posture. Officers in charge need to detect potential security risks accurately and respond to them with an efficient incident response plan.

Incidents can happen in many shapes and forms — fire outbreaks, intruder alarms, armed attacks, bomb threats, and medical emergencies are only a few examples. On-the-ground personnel are tasked to carry out appropriate Standard of Procedure (SOPs), establish contingency plans, operate safety equipment, and perform an assessment of the situation to convey to relevant authorities.

This incident handling module will equip learners with the essential knowledge and application skills to follow through with their incident response plan and actively protect their company’s safety, assets and personnel in the event of emergency and danger.

2. Guard and Patrol (Provide Guard & Patrol Services) 

Security patrols are the first line of defence for residential and commercial properties. Trained security officers maintain security in their client’s site around the clock. They also function as a crime deterrent. The importance of security patrols is magnified in high-crime areas, large properties, and during large-scale events.

Some duties of patrol officers include securing the premises, controlling entry, inspecting access points, monitoring surveillance equipment, and detaining trespassers and violators. After completing this basic course, security officers will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to help them when deployed onsite to provide guard and patrol services.

3. Threat Observation (Recognise Terrorist Threats)

Terrorist threats may seem like a remote possibility in Singapore, but that’s exactly attributable to our efficient risk management actions and policies. As a melting pot of diverse peoples and cultures, we do not take our peaceful way of life for granted. In a Recognise Terrorist Threat (RTT) module, security officers will be equipped with the vital knowledge of recognising suspicious situations in line with contemporary terrorist threats, whether they are person-borne, vehicle-borne, or object-based threats.

As of Jan 2020, candidates who do not pass the RTT course can only be deployed at condominiums and warehouses. However, in line with the government’s effort to raise qualifications in the security industry and keep Singapore safe from terrorist threats, all security officers will now have to complete the RTT course before being deployed to any site with effect from 1^st July 2023.

Conclusion

Taking these incident handling courses in Singapore will help security officers attain the skills they need to succeed in their security careers. Licensed security officers can increase their employability and fast-track their progress within the industry. Anyone keen to be a security officer in Singapore will have to successfully pass the three mandatory Basic Licensing Units above to procure their license and climb the occupational ladder.