One critical component of any security regime is the security staff and, more specifically, ‘guard forces’ (such as those who undertake patrols, guard entrance points and carry out security screening).
Motivated, attentive and observant staff in these roles can form a highly-effective deterrent presence and a final line of defence where other interventions (for example electronic security access) have perhaps failed.
The all-new guidance document was commissioned by the CPNI and completed by Booz & Company, who undertook interviews and consultation with security officers, supervisors and senior management at over 15 CNI sites around the UK.
Entitled ‘Motivation within the Security Sector’, the guide provides practical advice on methods of assessing motivation within the guard force, including a short validated questionnaire and useful guidance on how to address any issues identified.
The study also involved examining a broad range of work on theories of motivation and practical interventions for maintaining and improving personnel motivation.
Comment from the BSIA
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the guide’s publication. 2012 project director David Evans commented: “Motivation plays an important role in an industry where employees provide essential protection to buildings, valuable equipment and members of the public. Although developed initially as an aid to improve effectiveness in securing the national infrastructure, the guidance is equally applicable to all sectors protected by the guarding industry.”
Evans added: “The insight it provides will prove indispensable to all organisations across the national infrastructure, whose essential role in ensuring the country’s resilience will benefit hugely from a motivated, observant workforce. As such, this is a very important study and one which BSIA members have welcomed wholeheartedly.”
Bill Muskin, whose BSIA member company VSG had an input into the study, added: “The UK terror threat continues to be a reality, so it’s important to ensure cohesion and maximum efficiency of all areas involved in the security of our country in order to guarantee the best possible level of protection of the population and our critical national infrastructure.”
Muskin added: “Security officers in particular are an essential tool for the safeguarding of our nation, so getting the best out of these members of staff is paramount to any security strategy. For this reason, officers must not only be adequately selected and trained, but also consistently valued for the vital contribution they make.”
In conclusion, VSG’s chairman stated: “We welcome this CPNI document which provides security managers and those with responsibility for the management of security personnel with invaluable guidance on how to motivate their staff, to ensure consistent effectiveness and efficiency of the security services provided.”
Official launch of the guidance online
The guidance has officially been launched online and is accompanied by a series of briefing sessions run by CPNI and Booz & Co to help end users understand the background to the guidance and how it can be utilised in the field.
The guide can be accessed via the following link: http://www.cpni.gov.uk/advice/Personnel-security1/Guard-force-motivation/ (a dedicated link is provided at the foot of this page)