What Does a Security Patrol Officer Do?

A Security Patrol Officer ensures the safety and security of the establishment under guard. The security officer ensures that all facility areas are secured, does regular patrols, routine inspections, and monitors the premises, and logs in daily reports for management to assess. The Security Patrol Officer's role is vital for the continued performance of an establishment as it prevents crime, stealing, and other heinous acts that may severely affect a company's operations.

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Security Patrol Officer Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real security patrol officer resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Maintain alertness while on post.
Apply patient restraints as needed.
Certify CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and a (automate external defibrillator).
Remove stall vehicles from highway lanes to the side shoulder or a CHP designate safe area.
Respond to medical calls and provide basic first aid, CPR, or a use as needed.
Monitor CCTV operations, card access only doors and create identification badges for new employees/visitors at facility.
Serve as a first responder for all incidents, providing support for teachers, administrators and students.
Assist seniors in and out of vehicle and secure wheelchair and walkers to safety restraints during trip.
Conduct OSHA relate training including right to know, blood borne pathogens, MSDS log book and lock out tag out.
Audit and inspect the facility for chemicals and hazardous materials which are then coordinate into a comprehensive SDS per OSHA requirements.
Gather preliminary investigation information as a first responder to incident.
Monitor the entire facility using CCTV while simultaneously performing dispatch duties.
Document all activities that occur at patrol sites about regular and irregular activity.
Conduct security in assign patrol areas and ensures that any suspicious activity within given area is reported to appropriate officials.
Train staff members on emergency medical techniques, confine space entry and rescue, and hazmat emergencies.

Security Patrol Officer Job Description

When it comes to understanding what a security patrol officer does, you may be wondering, "should I become a security patrol officer?" The data included in this section may help you decide. Compared to other jobs, security patrol officers have a growth rate described as "as fast as average" at 4% between the years 2018 - 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the number of security patrol officer opportunities that are predicted to open up by 2028 is 40,600.

On average, the security patrol officer annual salary is $31,673 per year, which translates to $15.23 an hour. Generally speaking, security patrol officers earn anywhere from $25,000 to $39,000 a year, which means that the top-earning security patrol officers make $16,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

It's hard work to become a security patrol officer, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. Whether you're interested in a more challenging position or just looking for a fresh start, we've compiled extensive information on becoming an officer, security, security specialist, and security supervisor.

Learn More About Security Patrol Officer Job Descriptions

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5 Security Patrol Officer Resume Examples

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Timothy Hunt Security Patrol Officer Contact Information New York, NY (800) 555-4386 thunt@example.com Skills Visible Deterrent Exterior Areas Security Officers Stressful Situations Medical Calls Incident Information Cctv Unarmed Security CPR Security Services Employment History Security Patrol Officer 2018 - Present Universal Protection Service New York, NY report daily activities for the shift Provided Security services for various accounts including Piro Luxury Apartments, Gas Company Tower, & UPS Screened visitors and employees before admittance into facility Reported unsafe conditions or suspicious person(s) and activities. Assist Law Enforcement and Fire Dept. Campus Security Officer 2015 - 2018 Securitas Services Boston, MA Provide security services throughout sites to protect client's property, their valuables, and their employees. Investigate security breaches to ensure resolution and prevent future occurrences. Patrol facility and parking garage. Verify identification badges of any and all visitors, complete vehicle searches when necessary on a nuclear facility. Security Dispatcher 2013 - 2015 U.S. Security Miami, FL Enforce client and company policies, and procedures, to sustain a safe working environment. Utilize all equipment including computer, phone, badge system, guardhouse controls, CCTV, two way radio, etc. Education High School Diploma 2013 - 2013


Joe Clark Security Patrol Officer Contact Info Roseville, MN (800) 555-5668 jclark@example.com Skills CPRFederal LawsSecurity BreachesDomestic DisputesInitial InvestigationsActivity ReportsIncident ReportsSecurity OfficersHighway SafetyGeneral Public Employment History Security Patrol Officer 2011 - Present Whelan Security Co. Roseville, MN Maintain detail daily log of shift activities. Assisted management, police, and/or emergency personnel as required or requested. Investigate and report all accidents, injuries, or criminal activity occurring on company property 5. Provide security services to Walmart. Patrol Officer 2005 - 2011 City of Roseville Roseville, MN Prepared cases for court; appeared in court to present evidence and served as a witness. Maintain records and prepare reports related to arrest and summons activity for Highway Patrol. Responded to emergency dispatch 911 call, regarding criminal activities, accident scenes, family disputes and aided cases. Patrolled high crime areas observing / preventing any criminal activity Responded to emergency incidents (i.e. Apprehended or removed trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals. Patrolman 2002 - 2005 DC Government Washington, DC Respond to emergency calls on a timely manner. Education Some College Courses Criminal Justice 2002 - 2002 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD


Joe Clark Security Patrol Officer Roseville, MN (800) 555-5668 jclark@example.com Experience Security Patrol Officer2011 - Present Whelan Security Co.•Roseville, MN Maintain detail daily log of shift activities. Assisted management, police, and/or emergency personnel as required or requested. Investigate and report all accidents, injuries, or criminal activity occurring on company property 5. Provide security services to Walmart. Patrol Officer2005 - 2011 City of Roseville•Roseville, MN Prepared cases for court; appeared in court to present evidence and served as a witness. Maintain records and prepare reports related to arrest and summons activity for Highway Patrol. Responded to emergency dispatch 911 call, regarding criminal activities, accident scenes, family disputes and aided cases. Patrolled high crime areas observing / preventing any criminal activity Responded to emergency incidents (i.e. Apprehended or removed trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals. Patrolman2002 - 2005 DC Government•Washington, DC Respond to emergency calls on a timely manner. Skills CPRFederal LawsSecurity BreachesDomestic DisputesInitial InvestigationsActivity ReportsIncident ReportsSecurity OfficersHighway SafetyGeneral Public Education Some College Courses Criminal Justice2002 - 2002 University of Maryland - College Park•College Park, MD

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Security Patrol Officer Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 51% of Security Patrol Officers are proficient in Patrol, Customer Service, and Security Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.

We break down the percentage of Security Patrol Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Patrol, 51%
Conduct security in assigned patrol areas and ensures that any suspicious activity within given area is reported to appropriate officials.
Customer Service, 23%
Enforce facility rules and procedures securing the facility and designated areas all while providing excellent customer service.
Security Services, 6%
Provide Security services to over twenty five clients including Whirlpool Corporation.
Alertness, 3%
Maintained alertness while on post.
Emergency Situations, 2%
Delegate needs and prioritize staff response to emergency situations while maintaining accurate records of daily operations.
Public Safety, 2%
Performed property protection, public safety, patrol, access control, communications, and investigation/surveillance.

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Most security patrol officers list "patrol," "customer service," and "security services" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important security patrol officer responsibilities here:

The most important skills for a security patrol officer to have in this position are communication skills. In this excerpt that we gathered from a security patrol officer resume, you'll understand why: "security guards and officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." According to resumes we found, communication skills can be used by a security patrol officer in order to "utilized advanced communication skills, and demonstrated knowledge of the security industry. "

While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many security patrol officer duties rely on good judgment. This example from a security patrol officer explains why: "security guards and officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises." This resume example is just one of many ways security patrol officers are able to utilize good judgment: "conduct vehicle and foot patrols of communities* create security reports* enforce clients rules and regulations* conduct good customer service* conduct access control"

Observation skills is also an important skill for security patrol officers to have. This example of how security patrol officers use this skill comes from a security patrol officer resume, "security guards and officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." Read this excerpt from a resume to understand how vital it is to their everyday roles and responsibilities, "submitted observation reports to property management. "

A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "patience" is important to completing security patrol officer responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way security patrol officers use this skill: "security guards and officers may need to spend long periods standing and observing their environment without distractions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical security patrol officer tasks: "completed interior and exterior hospital patrols, perform fire drills, assist hospital staff, patience, and visitors as needed. "

See the full list of security patrol officer skills.

We've found that 20.7% of security patrol officers have earned a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, 2.5% earned their master's degrees before becoming a security patrol officer. While it's true that some security patrol officers have a college degree, it's generally possible to become one with only a high school degree. In fact, one out of every two security patrol officers did not spend the extra money to attend college.

Those security patrol officers who do attend college, typically earn either criminal justice degrees or business degrees. Less commonly earned degrees for security patrol officers include general studies degrees or law enforcement degrees.

Once you're ready to become a security patrol officer, you should explore the companies that typically hire security patrol officers. According to security patrol officer resumes that we searched through, security patrol officers are hired the most by Allied Universal, Securitas AB, and GardaWorld Federal Services. Currently, Allied Universal has 490 security patrol officer job openings, while there are 124 at Securitas AB and 28 at GardaWorld Federal Services.

If you're interested in companies where security patrol officers make the most money, you'll want to apply for positions at University of California, Berkeley, University of California, and HEI Hotels & Resorts. We found that at University of California, Berkeley, the average security patrol officer salary is $45,834. Whereas at University of California, security patrol officers earn roughly $42,276. And at HEI Hotels & Resorts, they make an average salary of $37,739.

View more details on security patrol officer salaries across the United States.

Some other companies you might be interested in as a security patrol officer include Securitas AB, Securitas AB, and U.S. Security Associates. These three companies were found to hire the most security patrol officers from the top 100 U.S. educational institutions.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious security patrol officers are:

Allied Universal490 Security Patrol Officers Jobs
Securitas AB124 Security Patrol Officers Jobs
GardaWorld Federal Services28 Security Patrol Officers Jobs

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What Officers Do

An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.

In this section, we compare the average security patrol officer annual salary with that of an officer. Typically, officers earn a $20,833 higher salary than security patrol officers earn annually.

While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both security patrol officers and officers positions are skilled in patrol, customer service, and alertness.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A security patrol officer responsibility is more likely to require skills like "security services," "security breaches," "bike," and "security patrols." Whereas a officer requires skills like "powerpoint," "law enforcement agencies," "financial statements," and "hr." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

On average, officers reach higher levels of education than security patrol officers. Officers are 8.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Security?

A Security's main responsibility is to keep people or an establishment safe. This responsibility is carried out by constantly patrolling a designated area and monitoring the activity within the premises. Most of the tasks involved are inspecting buildings and equipment, monitoring entry and exit points, reporting irregularities, responding to customers in distress, and other surveillance activities. The security is basically an establishment's first line of defense, this is why one must have good communication skills, keen observation and judgment, and as well as presence of mind.

Now we're going to look at the security profession. On average, securities earn a $163 higher salary than security patrol officers a year.

A similarity between the two careers of security patrol officers and securities are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like "patrol," "customer service," and "alertness. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that security patrol officer responsibilities requires skills like "security services," "security breaches," "bike," and "security patrols." But a security might use skills, such as, "ladders," "good judgment," "metal detectors," and "stars."

It's been discovered that securities earn higher salaries compared to security patrol officers, but we wanted to find out where securities earned the most pay. The answer? The start-up industry. The average salary in the industry is $31,007. Additionally, security patrol officers earn the highest paychecks in the utilities with an average salary of $30,633.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, securities tend to reach similar levels of education than security patrol officers. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How a Security Specialist Compares

A security specialist is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's database, ensuring that it's free from cyber threats and unusual activities. Security specialists' duties include upgrading hardware and software applications, configuring networks to improve optimization, addressing any unauthorized access on the database, troubleshooting system discrepancies, conducting security audits on the system, and improving automated processes. A security specialist must have a strong command of programming languages and system codes, as well as broad experience with technical expertise.

The security specialist profession generally makes a higher amount of money when compared to the average salary of security patrol officers. The difference in salaries is security specialists making $18,219 higher than security patrol officers.

By looking over several security patrol officers and security specialists resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "patrol," "customer service," and "security services." But beyond that the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. As an example of this, a security patrol officer is likely to be skilled in "bike," "security patrols," "foot patrol," and "criminal acts," while a typical security specialist is skilled in "ladders," "security incidents," "security clearance," and "security program."

Security specialists are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to security patrol officers. Additionally, they're 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Security Supervisor

A security supervisor is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the security staff in a building or within a designated area. Their responsibilities focus on devising strategies, appointing personnel, and implementing protocols that would ensure the safety of an establishment, goods, and the people inside. Furthermore, they must make sure that all security devices and equipment are working correctly, create and manage schedules, monitor and evaluate every security personnel's performance, and maintain a safe environment for everyone. Should there be any incidents, it is crucial to coordinate with the police right away.

The fourth career we look at typically earns higher pay than security patrol officers. On average, security supervisors earn a difference of $10,145 higher per year.

While both security patrol officers and security supervisors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like patrol, customer service, and security services, the two careers also vary in other skills.

While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "public safety," "bike," "property management," and "patrol vehicle" are skills that have shown up on security patrol officers resumes. Additionally, security supervisor uses skills like security procedures, security operations, payroll, and hr on their resumes.

Security supervisors earn a higher salary in the hospitality industry with an average of $41,279. Whereas, security patrol officers earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.

Security supervisors reach similar levels of education when compared to security patrol officers. The difference is that they're 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree more, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated October 2, 2020