Q: How long have you been a security officer at UA?
A: I’ve been an officer for UA for three and half years. I started out as a part time officer working details in the evening and became full-time a few months later.
Q: Was there any specific training you had to do for your job?
A: I didn’t need any specific training to become a security officer at UA other than testing for the security license. Since I’ve been working here, I have completed Alice training, which is a situation-based plan of action in case of an active shooter. That training itself was an eye-opener experience. Instead of locking down in your classroom and waiting for police aid, Alice teaches you that if the intruder is on the opposite side of the school, staff and students can exit the building if they’re near an exit door that would not expose them to the intruder and make it to the safe zones in which staff can call for help. Also, I’ve completed CPR training.
Q: Is it difficult working with kids?
A: No, it’s not difficult dealing with students. Here at UA, we have great students that strive to become educated and make smart decisions for their future. Every student has an off day now and then, but for the most part, the students are not difficult to deal with.
Q: What’s the hardest part about being a security officer at UA?
A: Honestly, the hardest part about being a security officer at UA is dealing with the parents. When directed to follow directions, some parents don’t comply and do what they want to do while their children are watching them. The students pick up on that behavior and display similar behaviors at school. I would like the parents to be a positive role model for their students by following the rules and understanding the policies that are in place to avoid unnecessary incidents.
Q: Do you do any extra training outside of school to prepare for your work day as an officer?
A: I work loss prevention part-time in which I catch thieves stealing merchandise from a retail store. When stuff is stolen at UA, I have a skill set that would be able to track the stuff that was stolen IF it was seen on cameras.
Q: What time does your work day typically start and end?
A: My shift at UA is from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless I’m working a detail after school. My second job is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Q: How do you manage being a parent and a school security officer?
A: The best part about being a parent and school security officer is that my kids go to the same school that I work at. I can help guide them when they’re off track during the day so they can finish the day on a positive note. I also get all of the notifications on events for my kids, so I’m as active as I can be for them.
Q: Could students ever earn community service hours by assisting the security team?
A: Yes! We have programs where Upper School students can earn community hours for helping security. You will need to talk to Officer Benson for more information.
Q: As a security officer, do you have time for your own after school activities?
A: No, I’m normally helping my grandparents with errands, working another job, or doing activities with my kids.
