Women in the Security Field
When people think of the average security guard, many picture a physically-imposing man. That may have been the case for a long time, but professional security is modernizing in step with many other industries. Despite the assumptions, there are now many women working in the security field and improving it for their fellow employees and the people they protect.
Changes in the Field
The stereotypical burly male security guard no longer fits the profile for what businesses and facilities need in a security presence. Recent changes and adaptations in the industry’s best practices have expanded what is expected of each security guard. Sometimes, the optics of a professional officer in uniform can be effective in dissuading incidents on their own.
Many customers ask not only for a professional and “strong” presence, but a calming one. Once a situation escalates into violence, people and property are at risk. In the long run, the use of physical force turns the reputation of a safe facility into a dangerous one.
De-escalation tactics now are not only a standard part of security guard training; they’re frequently preferred in a range of common scenarios. A guard’s job is to keep people safe, and sometimes that means talking to a person or taking command of an emergency situation rather than using force.
Because of this shift in the industry, there’s even less of an excuse for women to be shut out of a career in security. They have the ability to deploy all the skills now required of security officers, from physical strength to active listening. Each of these tactics can allow an officer to take command of a situation, and can be used by any well-trained guard.
Modern Security Needs
While the skill set of a security officer is not inherent to either men or women, there are times when having a woman officer specifically is preferred or necessary. Refugee centers, shelters, and clinics that have women-only spaces want, if not require, women as their security guards. These are spaces which frequently offer assistance and support to women who have been victims of gender-based violence.
Having women protect these spaces ensures both safety and a level of comfort that a male security officer may not be able to provide. Even in places like airports, women security guards are necessary for security screenings and pat downs for female passengers. When considering not only the needs of a particular facility, but also the people within it and how to best keep them safe, it quickly becomes clear that women are vital and necessary to all security staff.
The Future of the Industry
As of 2021, only about 9% of security officers were women. This disparity has led to the impression that the field is more of a “boys club” and has dissuaded many women from joining. But in a role with a wide-ranging skill set, it’s obvious that women are just as qualified, and their presence strengthens any security team.
One current P.I. officer admits that sometimes it’s been hard for her as a woman to work in the security field. “However, I chose to go with this profession because I will not let others tell me only men can do certain jobs… I can do it just as well as they can. I don’t let stereotypes define me or what I do.” This officer knows that at its core, “the purpose of security is the safety of others and ourselves,” which anyone can undertake and perform well regardless of their gender. It is not who you are that makes a good security officer, but what you do.
As the field of security continues to grow and expand, Premium Investigations encourages anyone interested to take classes at our training academy. Not only will you meet the requirements set by New York State, but we will teach important skills that no security guard today can do without. From de-escalation tactics to real world examples, P.I. offers a robust training program. Sign up today.