NAPLES, Florida, Oct. 22, 2021 -- In what promises to be a groundbreaking study -- the likes of which have not been seen in the security industry in several decades -- the International Foundation for Protection Officers announced the release of the results of its security research project today.

The months-long effort, titled "The Competence of Frontline Security Professionals and What They Say About Their Work," led by UK-based Perpetuity Research, was commissioned in February and saw data gathered from more than 10.600 respondents representing nine countries.

Organized into a 100-plus page document which can be viewed here, the research spanned a wide variety of questions relating to the roles security professionals perform, including tasks, training and licensing.

What may be the most telling aspects of the report are the anecdotal responses included in the report on such topics as:

Lack of training:

"What happens is the supervisor gives a talk and says sign here, it is about a paragraph, and we just sign it.," interviewee 26 said. "That is it, that is all the training we get … We would love training, yes."

"If we had training manuals that would help," interviewee 13 said. "The expectation is for us to learn everything yourself."

The impact of COVID-19:

"Covid changed the security officer role completely, where we had to enforce strict rules, which made it difficult with employees and patients," interviewee 15 said.

 

A disconnect in communication or lack of respect between the client and security:

"The issue was the management not having our back. When we had patients acting out and complaining they always supported the patient," interviewee 15 said.

"Trying to enforce any kind of rules on customers' sites is difficult because the clients you work for don’t take much notice of the security advice you offer them," said another survey respondent.

 

Low pay:

"Pay rates are low, contractors undercut each other and then the reputable companies get cut out and the guards then suffer," interviewee 25 said.

"Some companies hire the cheapest level they can … they get 18-year-olds that spend all their time on their phones," according to interviewee 36.

 

There were also some positive take-aways:

"When I have the support of my superiors and co-workers," interviewee 9 said. "When I have my team behind me, anything is possible."

"Technology, we have some good communication equipment, we call it Romeo, that means we can communicate with other security people, so no one is isolated," interviewee 27 said. "I can also call my supervisor if I want to know something, and he is good, he has more knowledge than me."

"Body-cams have made a huge difference," interviewee 32 said. "In nine out of ten instances a cam de-escalates a situation."

 

Sponsors:

The IFPO would like to thank those companies and individuals who financially supported this project. Without you, this would not have been possible:

CriticalArc

Doyle Security Services

Friends of Chuck

GardaWorld

Orion Entrance Control Inc.

SecurAmerica

International Security Journal

Security Magazine

Additional sponsors: Paradox Security Group, Lysander Bone, Brian Hollstagge, Collin McGraw, Samuel McMillan, Rob Sacka, Richard Widup CPP and Jason Zimmerman.

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International Foundation for Protection Officers Mission Statement

Mission Statement Part I.

The International Foundation for Protection Officers provides professional learning opportunities for security practitioners, to impart the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to maximize job performance and enhance career potential.

Purpose: to make a positive difference in the quality of the participant’s job performance and elevate the professional status of students who partake of our learning opportunities.

Business: to supply committed security practitioners with a quality education to help achieve their highest potential and provide recognized accreditation for successful completion of educational goals.

Values: commitment, integrity, responsibility, and standards of excellence, provide the platform that supports our journey as we pursue our mission.

Vision Statement

Commitment to Excellence: To be the recognized center of excellence and primary provider of education and training products and services to the security industry.

Mission Statement Part II.

“The International Foundation for Protection Officers is committed to the support and professional development of protection officers and supervisors. Through advocacy, promoting training standards, and providing accessible training, education and certification opportunities, we seek to enhance their professional standing as well as increase and diversify the value of the vital services they provide.”