26 - Motivating Security Personnel

Abstract

Modern security is no longer associated with hiring a retired or semi-retired individual to turn the lights on at dusk and lock a few doors. Today's complex societal problems coupled with a spiraling crime rate dictate that businesses, public institutions, and facilities must turn to the security professional for the required protection of persons and property. With respect to individual work assignments, it is important that security officers be told why their assignments are structured as they are and what problems their assignments are designed to abate. The officers will then understand their importance to the overall departmental or organizational objective. Their desire to fulfill their work assignment will be enhanced, and their work will be performed with enthusiasm and an eagerness to do the job better. Steps that will inspire motivation and self-esteem of security guards in an art facility include (1) to identify and determine dissatisfaction, problems, and complaints and handle them in such a way as to motivate the staff and (2) to identify sensitive situations, problem employees, and union problems.