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Security Officers and Patrol Services

Security Officers and Patrol Services Competency Model

The competency model framework for Security Officers and Patrol Services was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and leading industry organizations. It identifies the soft skills and foundational competencies, as well as the technical knowledge, skill, and abilities, needed by professionals entering the Security Officers and Patrol Services field.

The Security Officers and Patrol Services Competency Model framework defines the latest skills and knowledge requirements needed by individuals who provide security officer duties to protect their organization's assets, regardless of the industry sector within which they work. The model framework incorporates competencies identified through global research completed in 2021 and is supported by the numerous editions of IFPO's "The Professional Protection Officer," which is the text for IFPO’s Certified Protection Officer (CPO) designation, written and updated by security subject matter experts from around the world since 1988. IFPO will work with industry experts and partners to ensure that the model framework will continue to be updated to reflect the evolving competency requirements of the industry.

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Security Officers and Patrol Services Competency Model


Security Officers and Patrol Services Building Blocks Pyramid

<strong>1.1 Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork</strong> Displaying skills to work with others from diverse backgrounds. <strong>1.2 Integrity</strong> Displaying accepted social and work behaviors. <strong>1.3 Professionalism</strong> Maintaining a professional demeanor at work. <strong>1.4 Initiative</strong> Demonstrating a willingness to work. <strong>1.5 Adaptability and Flexibility</strong> Displaying the capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. <strong>1.6 Dependability and Reliability</strong> Displaying responsible behaviors at work. <strong>1.7 Lifelong Learning</strong> Displaying a willingness to learn and apply new knowledge and skills. <strong>2.1 Security Fundamentals</strong> Understands and can apply basic security principles to the security of the enterprise or a specific structure, system, or process. <strong>2.2 Business Foundations</strong> Understand basic business principles, trends, and economics. <strong>2.3 Critical and Analytical Thinking</strong> Using logic, reasoning, and analysis to address problems. <strong>2.4 Communication</strong> Giving full attention to what others are saying, and communicating in English well enough to be understood by others. <strong>2.5 Reading and Writing</strong> Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Using standard English to compile information and prepare written reports. <strong>2.6 STEM Literacy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)</strong> Understand and apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to work within individual roles and responsibilities and in collaborating with allied workers. <strong>3.1 Teamwork</strong> Working cooperatively with others to complete work assignments. <strong>3.2 Planning and Organizing</strong> Planning and prioritizing work to manage time effectively and accomplish assigned tasks. <strong>3.3 Innovative Strategic Thinking</strong> Generating innovative and creative solutions. <strong>3.4 Problem Solving and Decision Making</strong> Applying critical-thinking skills to solve problems by generating, evaluating, and implementing solutions. <strong>3.5 Working with Tools and Technology</strong> Selecting, using, and maintaining tools and technology to facilitate work activity. <strong>3.6 Business Acumen</strong> Understand basic business principles, trends, and economics. <strong>3.7 Physical and Mental Fitness</strong> Developing and maintaining a minimum level of fitness commensurate with job requirements. <strong>3.8 Personal Health and Safety</strong> Supporting a safe and healthy workplace. <strong>4.1 Access Control</strong> Learn, understand, and apply access control rules and regulations for the site. <strong>4.2 Basic Investigations</strong> Collect and preserve information to enable the enterprise to meet internal and external organizational requirements. <strong>4.3 Rule Enforcement</strong> Enforce site rules, policies, procedures, post orders and regulations established by site management, as well as legislative codes (such as occupational health and safety), bylaws, statutes and criminal code sections. <strong>4.4 Patrols and Surveillance</strong> Undertake physical and electronic patrols and conduct surveillance of site and personnel using a variety of physical and electronic methods to identify events that require reporting or intervention and maintain a visible presence on the site. <strong>4.5 Alarm and Emergency Response</strong> Identify and respond to critical incidents or major events that threaten to harm the organization, its people, property, assets, systems or continuity of operations. <strong>4.6 Customer Service and Public Relations</strong> Interact with internal and external customers in a positive and respectful manner. <strong>5.1 Contract Security Guard Services</strong> <strong>5.2 Loss Prevention Services</strong> <strong>5.3 Executive Protection Services</strong> <strong>5.4 Emergency Response Support Services</strong> <strong>5.5 Armored Car Services</strong> <strong>5.6 Gambling and Casino Surveillance Services</strong> <strong>6.1 Security Officer Work Roles</strong> Security officers fill a variety of specialized work roles that often have additional or unique or specialized competency requirements. Some of these roles are listed below, however this is not intended to be a comprehensive list. <strong>6.2 Security-related Occupational Titles</strong> All occupations require a specific knowledge base over and above that which is required in the industry as a whole. Detailed information about the tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in the following security-related occupations can be found in the Department of Labor`s Occupational Information Network <a href=`https://www.onetonline.org/` target=`_blank` title=`This link will open in a new window.`>Occupational Information Network (O*NET) OnLine</a>. Click here to search for O*NET Occupational Competencies Profiles Click here to search for O*NET Occupational Competencies Profiles