How to hire a security police officer

How to hire a security police officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security police officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a security police officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new security police officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The security police officer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a security police officer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a security police officer that fits the bill.

   This list presents security police officer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Security Police Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Security Police Officer	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$15-26
   Unarmed Security Guard	The primary responsibility of an unarmed security guard is to monitor and protect properties against damage or criminal attack. They must be alert, patrol the premises, and respond to emergencies... Show more	$11-21
   Police Cadet	Police cadets require multiple police department-relevant skills in traffic control, police reports, public safety, and special events. Those who choose this career will be responsible for participating in training programs that will introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare them for becoming police officers, supporting police operations like traffic control, working on criminal investigation, and performing administrative duties at the station.	$11-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Patients
   • CPR
   • Security Clearance
   • Public Safety
   • Traffic Control
   • Emergency Situations
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • Federal Laws
   • Emergency Calls
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • DOE
   • Local Law Enforcement
   • Incident Reports

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and process police reports and aircraft/base security records supporting nuclear deterrence operations for then the USAF's largest B52 force.
   • Arm entry control at Hickam, AFB.
   • Provide first aid, CPR and assist during emergencies as necessary.
   • Enforce laws and regulations relative to the protection of U.S. DOE facility.
   • Patrol installation, enforce rules and regulations in accordance with USAF policy.
   • Provide escorts to vehicles that enter zone with permits as per DoD requirements.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security police officer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A security police officer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, security police officers' average salary in mississippi is 48% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security police officers earn 42% less than senior-level security police officers.
   • Certifications. A security police officer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a security police officer's salary.

   Average security police officer salary

   $42,481yearly

   $20.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level security police officer salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a security police officer job description

   A job description for a security police officer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a security police officer job description:

   Security police officer job description example

   Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, provides rewarding careers that give you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace, you will be part of a team that fuels a culture that will reflect in our communities and customers we serve. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for all full-time positions!
   **Security Officer for City of Downey Police Department**
   
   **Location: Downey, CA**
   
   **Pay-rate: $19.50 / Hr**
   
   As a Security Officer, you will serve and safeguard clients in a range of industries such as Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Government and more.
   
   **Responsibilities:**
   
   + Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and when appropriate, emergency response activities
   
   + Respond to incidents and critical situations in a calm, problem solving manner
   
   + Conduct regular and random patrols around the business and perimeter. Working environments and conditions may vary by client site.
   
   **Minimum Requirements:**
   
   + Be at least 18 years of age for unarmed roles; 21+ years of age for armed roles
   
   + Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or 5 years of verifiable experience
   
   + As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Allied Universal will consider qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
   
   + As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a drug screen to the extent permitted by law.
   
   + Licensing requirements are subject to state and/or local laws and regulations and may be required prior to employment.*A valid driver's license will be required for driving positions only
   
   **Perks and Benefits:**
   
   + Health insurance and 401k plans for full-time positions
   
   + Flexible part time and full-time schedules that fit with your personal life goals
   
   + Ongoing paid training programs and career growth opportunities
   
   + Employee discounts through our perks program to your favorite restaurants, entertainment venues and much more...
   
   **Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices .
   
   **Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices .
   
   
   **Location:** United States-California-Downey
   
   **Job Category:** Security Officer

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right security police officer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your security police officer job on Zippia to find and recruit security police officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit security police officers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new security police officer

   Once you've decided on a perfect security police officer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new security police officer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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