The aims of the research were to gauge views on the current perception of security, explore the actions needed to enhance perceptions of private security, and begin to establish which of these are considered most important. The research is based on the views of security professionals from in-house security, security suppliers and consultants, and other security experts (such as those involved in security training, marketing, media etc) collected via a survey and interviews.
Where are we now with ‘image’?
Problems with image persist:
- Less than half – 45% of respondents had a positive view of private security;
- 46% thought the level of ‘professionalism’ is improving over time;
- only 20% thought the general perception (in society) of private security is positive.
There was a general view that while the image of private security has improved over time, it remains problematic, with some believing there is at least as much ground still to gain as has been achieved so far.
What actions are most needed?
Despite private security encompassing a vast range of skills and specialisms, it is the private security officers that are considered to be ‘the face’ of the sector and their performance is seen as having a heavy influence on perception.
There was a clear view that real improvements to the standard of frontline security officers is essential to raise perceptions. Here, strengthening the approach to training was seen as a key way forward to:
- raise the quality of officers;
- better equip them to perform well;
- and shift the role from a ‘low paid’, ‘unskilled’ job to a career of choice.
Many participants also felt better promotion of the value of security is needed so that organisations can understand and moreover justify the importance of ‘investing’ in good quality security. To do this, leadership and a unified approach among the private security sector were seen as important.
Specific actions that were most commonly rated in the survey as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to impacting on perception included:
- Demonstrate that security leaders are as competent as other business leaders (90%)
- Demonstrate that private security is an ‘enabler’ (90%)
- Raise a better awareness of the range of work/skills across private security’ (89%)
- Demonstrate that private security does not only address/protect ‘business/private’ interests (89%)
- Raise the skills sets of frontline workers (89%)
- Promote procurement practices that prioritise obtaining good quality security products and services (88%)
Professor Martin Gill who led the research noted:
‘Our research indicates that there are many positives to the work of private security personnel – keeping people safe, enabling organisations to operate, offering different skills, often a first and a fast response to incidents, being flexible and adaptable to different sectors and contexts, often with technology at their fingertips – to name a few. Yet this is not the general perception – not even close. The value of private security is at worst not understood and at best not recognised, and this is not helped by the view that those in frontline roles are the weakest link – low paid, poorly trained, unskilled. Respondents suggested security is stuck in a loop where some organisations will not pay more unless the quality is raised, yet the quality cannot be improved unless organisations are willing to pay more. The only way to break out is to tackle quality and highlight the value of security, to reposition security as the backbone of any successful organisation.’
