Standing guard at key access points. Patrolling premises round the clock. Interacting with members of the public.
These are some of the duties expected of our security officers – from day to night, rain or shine, they stand at the frontline, protecting us against potential threats.
Every year on 24 July, we join the world in commemorating International Security Officers’ Day, highlighting the 24/7 nature of their roles that largely go unnoticed. Hear from some of our officers who have stepped up to the call of duty to don on the uniform and make the world safer, smarter, and better.
Protecting premises for shoppers’ peace of mind
Shopping at the mall without worry? Enjoying a peaceful lunchtime stroll in the middle of the workday? All of these are made possible because of silent protectors like Nur Afifah, a security officer in Certis Singapore!
Stationed at one of the busiest malls in downtown Singapore, Afifah keeps a keen lookout to ensure no illegal activities are happening in and around the mall. In her day, she also assists shoppers to find their way. The best part for Afifah is that it opens up her world to more: by helping others, she also gets to learn of a new location.
When Afifah puts on her uniform to start the day, she thinks about the people within the communities that she’ll be protecting. It warms her heart to know that she’s one of the many frontliners contributing towards making the nation safe and secure. For her, it’s also a peace of mind knowing that her own family and friends can be safe too.
The pride in her role doesn’t stop there. Seizing opportunities offered by Certis, Afifah took on a first-aid course, adding another life-saving skill to her arsenal. Now, she’ll also be able to assist in any emergencies.
Afifah values the wondrous opportunity to be able to engage with people of all walks of life. No matter their background, they’re all here to protect, and serve the community.
Upholding Certis core values in security operations
Petter Sutton, a security officer from Certis Australia upholds the same sense of purpose and pride in the work he does every day. With 16 years of experience in the industry, Peter is the cornerstone of security operations in Newcastle.
What drives Peter to protect and serve the community? The chance to make a real difference. With a wealth of knowledge and experience under his belt, it’s no wonder the strong pride he has in every role he undertakes.
His vast portfolio demonstrates his range of expertise: from maintaining security in high-profile sites including logistics, government and commercial to leadership roles.
Peter shares a memorable experience during one of his deployments. When a member of public had sustained a critical injury, Peter stepped up to provide first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive. His assurance, and calm demeanour in managing the crowd helped resolve the situation, contributing to the successful investigation of the incident. For Peter, this moment is one to treasure as it highlighted the important role he plays in protecting the lives of the people in the community.
Safeguarding the community
Kennedy Rugumayo’s day to day in his role as Security Officer at GSS Certis International in Qatar may seem mundane, but the importance of the work cannot be denied.
In his time with GSSCI, Kennedy has collected several tricks of the trade: from being able to identify suspicious behaviour through body language analysis, to learning how to communicate effectively with members of the public.
Being able to do his part to protect the community is incredibly rewarding for Kennedy. When asked who he does it for, Kennedy shares a wholesome answer: “My family”.
Embracing tech in daily operations
Before joining Certis, Kamal had always been curious about the ins-and-outs of aviation security. From the technology to the systems, how does it all work seamlessly to efficiently and effectively protect people at the airport?
Now, as Aviation Screening Officer at Certis Australia, Kamal continues to have that spark of curiousity, learning how new tech can enhance existing operations. One of the coolest to him is seeing how a 3D x-ray scanner works.
Beyond that though, Kamal values the interpersonal interactions he has with travellers at the airport, informing them kindly of rules and regulations that they must abide with. Kamal understandingly shares that when people are rushing or uncertain, explaining the rules to the travellers can help soothe their anxiety. Yet, he still feels a sense of achievement!
Inspired by their stories? Start your journey in making a difference today.