Nightstick's Post - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Who?

As an operator I believe we, as working security officers in the "trenches", at the "coal face" can only tell the tale, having been there, done that!

What?

Our sector of the Australian security industry and the men and women that round the clock put their "butts" on the line for their clients and their assets.

In my state (New South Wales) there are over 30,000 people employed by over 1700 companies which 47% are static/crowd control related.

Over 400 companies are mobile patrol services.

Private Investigations nearly 400.

Security Monitoring nearly 60.

Cash in Transit/Armoured car Services over 20.

Why?

It's time interested parties really knew the job that we do and that all of us are recognized for the work we do.We need better equipment, training that is directly related to our job and tailored to our needs and hazards we face.Pay that reflects the workload, stresses and risks we face every shift, as for example: clerical staff are paid better per hour than we!We are not police officers nor wanna- be's as some may think, indeed some of our ranks are former police, and to this end we need to lightlight the differences in our jobs and show how we complement the efforts of the police service, yet are a specialized group of people, with skills and knowledge that are separate to how they do their job in the community.Indeed we are just starting to educate not only police, but other emergency services in our ever expanding role. Time to tell the tale, and let people know what we do and the effort and risk that is associated the this industry, so maybe, just maybe, the word may get to the right people and together, we the workers can get an even break!

When?

Now a good time as we have undergone great change in recent years as a result of security licence requirements in this state and we all had to take stock of our knowledge and retrain.

With the spotlight continues on the industry as a whole while the changes are ongoing, we need to educate not only our clients, and their management in our respective posts but the public as well, for we can't hope to really do it without their support.

Events of 11th September attacks in the USA woke up everyone and with the recent bomb attack in Bali, Australians are are waking up to the real world security concerns and begaining to respond positively.

Now is the time to make sure all security personal are trained, equiped, and looked afer as far as their conditions of employment.

Then

NOW THIS!