The first International Security Officers’ Day – 24 July 2016 

Recognising the security men and women at the front line of our daily lives

How many times have you walked through an office reception, shopping centre or hotel and failed to notice the men and women providing the steadying influence: the uniformed security personnel? Did you nod or say hello or did you walk past as if they were part of the furniture?

Two years ago, members of the security industry in Singapore recognised that the men and women, who were at the front line of the provision of private security services, went about their role quietly, effectively with little or no recognition.  As a consequence, they established a national day of recognition for these security officers who contributed to the security, welfare and safety of the people of Singapore and its businesses.

This decision inspired George Chin and Jason Brown to propose that the whole world should recognise the men and women who support an environment where we are all safe to go about our business. As a consequence, a project to develop an international day of recognition for security was commenced.

Declaration of an International Security Officers’ Day will allow all employees to be recognised for their contributions. By providing an international day, employees will feel more valued and pride in their professions and thus contribute even more, not only to their work but also to the society.

The eventual aim of the project is to have a United Nations day of recognition on 24 July each year, 24/7, acknowledging that for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, security officers are on the job in airports, banks, shopping precincts and hospitals ensuring it is secure for us all to be free from fear and interference.

The planning team for this has already reached out to India, France, USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and national and international associations such as Security Professionals Australasia, New Zealand Security Association, ASIAL, the Security Institute, ASIS International, ISACA and others. They, together with many industry leaders, have endorsed the idea.

We have established a committee to run this project and Jason Brown has volunteered to chair the group. We are looking for additional volunteers to help make this a reality by first establishing a local national committee for each country, declaring the 24 July to be a day of recognition for security officers in each country and organising small events to spread the word in industry and to the public.

For stage 2, we need your support to:

• Use your industry association and professional groups to declare the day.
• Security leaders and managers should be encouraged to recognise and thank the security officers in their own work place and the work places they visit and tell them that this is the day that their efforts for the year are officially recognised and that you care about them and their work.
• Encourage members of the public to recognise and thank these men and women for the work they are doing. A smile and a thank you goes a long way in brightening up the day.

Let us get this started and be ready for 24 July 2016. We will then work towards the formal acceptance as a United Nations Day.

For more details, supporting brief and project plan please contact Jason Brown

E: jason.brown@thalesgroup.com.au