International Security Officer’s Day: Acknowledging those who protect us
July 24th is International Security Officer’s Day, an annual opportunity to recognise the generally unsung and unseen work of the thousands of private security officers who keep our communities safe and secure.
It’s no coincidence that International Security Officer’s Day falls each year on 24/7. It’s a fitting reminder of the nature of security work, the persistence of the threats to safety and security that businesses and communities face, and the pervasiveness of protection that security officers provide.
Across the country, anywhere up to 25,000 security officers are guarding buildings, patrolling schools and business premises, delivering concierge and crowd control services at major events, transporting cash, providing close personal protection, enforcing regulations on behalf of territorial authorities, assisting in queueing and physical distancing arrangements, locking gates, operating control rooms and monitoring centres, and responding to alarms and incidents.
With security officers outnumbering the number of police officers in New Zealand by around two to one, they are seemingly everywhere. And yet, their work goes largely unheard and unseen.
With little public recognition, and with characteristic dependability, they get on with the critical work of protecting people and assets day-in, day-out, and nightly, 24/7.
Initiated only a few years ago by ASIAL (Australian Security Industry Association Ltd), International Security Officers' Day (ISOD) is now a worldwide event celebrated in Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Thailand. According to reports, there is an intention to petition the United Nations to formally declare 24th July as International Security Officer’s Day.
This year, 24th July fell on a Sunday – last Sunday. So, what can you do this week to mark the occasion?
According to the originators of the ISOD concept, it’s as easy as giving any security officer you come across a simple smile and, possibly, a thank you. If you want to do more, then spread the word about the important role security officers perform in keeping us all safe.
FIRST Security is a proud supporter of ISOD, and we are naturally super proud of our own national, multi-award winning team of security officers.
Lastly, we’d like to give a big shout-out to all security officers across Aotearoa New Zealand. You play a crucial role in keeping our venues, businesses, neighbourhoods and streets safe, and on the occasion of International Security Officers Day 2022, we say thank you!
