A: An unarmed security officer in Queensland protects and monitors people, property and premises without carrying a firearm or using a guard dog. It is one of the broadest security functions and can lead to employment across shopping centres, hospitals, government facilities, construction sites, industrial premises, gatehouses, commercial buildings, retail businesses and many other locations. Typical duties include conducting security patrols, controlling access to premises, checking vehicles and visitors, monitoring suspicious behaviour, responding to alarms and incidents, protecting property, completing incident reports and assisting customers, staff and members of the public.

Unarmed security officers may also work in loss prevention, where they monitor and respond to stealing and other incidents within retail environments. Despite the word “security”, much of the job is actually about people. Good communication, observation, judgement, customer service and common sense are extremely important. A professional security officer should be able to recognise developing risks, communicate effectively and resolve situations before they become more serious wherever possible. The CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations provides the practical foundation for this work.

At BARS Training Australia, students practise skills including communication, patrols, access control, screening, risk assessment, incident response, radio communication, reporting, conflict management and first aid in realistic scenarios. Unarmed security is an excellent entry point into the industry because of the variety of workplaces and duties available. With experience and additional training, security officers can also expand into other specialised areas of the industry.