Industry Spotlight: Essential, Vigilant and Worthy of Our Respect

GRAPHIC: Home Team News

It’s a challenging job, but one they do with conviction and purpose, even in the face of abuse.

Due to the public-facing nature of their work, security officers face a greater risk of confrontation with people when carrying out their duties. In a joint survey conducted by the Union of Security Employees (USE) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences in 2020, 40 per cent of the security officers who were surveyed shared that they’d faced some form of abuse in the course of their work.

Enhancing Protection for Security Officers
But change is on the way. In July, USE, the Association of Certified Security Agencies and the Security Association Singapore unveiled a refreshed Anti-Abuse Decal design to raise public awareness on respecting and protecting security officers. 

We stand together: Mr Desmond Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, meeting security officers at AMK Hub. PHOTO: Joash Tan

As Mr Desmond Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, noted: “MHA is happy to support the launch of the Security Officer Anti-Abuse Decal. Abusive behaviour towards security officers should never be tolerated. This decal will serve to strengthen public awareness of the need to contribute to a safer environment for all security officers to carry out their duties.”

To further enhance protection for security officers, MHA introduced the Private Security Industry (Amendment) Bill for the First Reading in Parliament on 13 September 2021. The amendments will provide targeted protection for security officers performing security functions stipulated under the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA), to send a clear, deterrent signal against abuse and harassment. 

New offences will be introduced to address common types of harassment and abuse faced by security officers in the course of their official duties, with penalties pegged higher than if they were committed against members of the public.

We caught up with two stalwart security officers at AMK Hub to learn more about their work, and how they felt about the Anti-Abuse Decal as well as the upcoming amendments to the PSIA.

KEEPING US SAFE, WITH A SMILE
Azlizam Bin Nan, Chief Security Officer, Prosegur
What drew Mr Azlizam to the security industry? “I enjoy interacting with people,” he recalled, “and I felt being a security officer would allow me to do that more!” Now a Chief Security Officer, he provides guidance to a team of fellow professionals at AMK Hub.

PHOTO: Joash Tan

What’s a day of work like for you?
As a Chief Security Officer, I oversee a team of officers who are responsible for security duties at AMK Hub. I ensure that our officers have the capabilities and skills to manage incidents, de-escalate disputes and help members of the public. 

What’s a common misconception about your work that you’d like to correct?
One thing that people don’t know is that we attend various types of training to do our work well. Another thing is that our role has many different aspects. As security officers, we respond to almost any incident on the ground, from disputes to assisting members of the public with the top-up machines at the carpark. Once, my team went beyond their duties to help an uncle who was unable to use the toilet independently, by carrying him. 

How has COVID-19 affected your work?
It’s been challenging, for sure. When COVID-19 struck in early 2020, safe management measures had to be implemented quickly. For example, some of the entrances to the mall had to be blocked, with only two to three entry points allowed. Many members of the public couldn’t accept the changes at first, and we had to manage their frustrations while continuing to do our work. 

In addition, people weren’t used to wearing masks and some even refused to do so. Sometimes they even shouted at us. But we just smiled and carried on with our work in a professional manner. 

How do you feel about the Anti-Abuse Decal initiative and the proposed amendments to the PSIA that will enhance protection for security officers?
I see officers disappointed with the way they’ve been abused by members of the public. So I’m happy about the latest developments and hope they will raise awareness and bring about real improvements on the ground!

THE ART OF DEFUSING A DISPUTE
Mr David Chua, Security Officer, Prosegur
When tempers get frayed, patience and understanding can do wonders, as Mr Chua explains. And it’s the little things that make his day, like when people recognise him and say hi.

PHOTO: Joash Tan

What’s a day of your work like at AMK Hub?
My main duties are patrolling the mall, ensuring the safety of members of the public, handling enquiries and managing any disputes that may crop up. 

Share with us a memorable experience from your work as a security officer.
One recent incident involved a dispute in one of the toilets. A man had knocked on a cubicle, not knowing that someone else was inside. An argument ensued. I immediately responded and stood between the two men to prevent them from starting a brawl. I managed to talk them out of fighting by making them realise they were arguing over a trivial matter. 

How has COVID-19 affected your work?
Before COVID-19, people could walk around the mall without much hassle. But then we had to quickly implement many different safe management measures, for everyone’s safety. 

Some people felt restricted in their movement, or didn’t know which route to take. We’d explain why the new measures were necessary and show them the right way to go. Some people also didn’t like the restrictions on dining and instead of packing food home, would find a spot within the mall to eat. We had to look out for these people and handle any disputes that might arise when we ask them to move on. 

How do you feel about the Anti-Abuse Decal initiative and the proposed amendments to the PSIA that will enhance protection for security officers?
The amendments will allow the authorities to deal with those who are abusive towards security officers. This will reduce the abuse that we face and give us more confidence to perform our duties, with the public’s support. 

What do you love about your work?
The fact that some people recognise me from my patrolling rounds. For example, at the taxi stands, the regulars who transit there know me and will call me by name. This happens almost every morning. It warms my heart to know that they know who I am and that my work is acknowledged.

Amendments to the Private Security Industry Act
The Private Security Industry (Amendment) Bill was introduced for the First Reading in Parliament on 13 September 2021. The Bill introduces amendments to the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) to enhance protection for security officers, as well as remove persons who only provide security consultancy services from regulation under the PSIA. 

Enacted in 2007, the PSIA provides for the regulation of the private security industry, which includes private investigators, private investigation agencies, security officers, security agencies, and security service providers. 

GRAPHIC: MHA

Enhancing Protection for Security Officers
MHA takes a serious view of the harassment and abuse of security officers. All cases are treated very seriously by the Police. There are existing laws which provide protection for all victims of harassment and abuse, such as the Protection from Harassment Act and the Penal Code. However, there are no enhanced protection provisions specifically for security officers. 

MHA will broaden the scope of the PSIA to provide targeted protection for security officers performing security functions stipulated under the PSIA, to send a clear, deterrent signal against abuse and harassment of security officers. New offences to address common types of harassment and abuse faced by security officers in the course of their official duties will be introduced, with penalties pegged higher than if they were committed against members of the public. 

Learn more about the amendments to the PSIA.