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| Warrior's Security training course combines both classroom and practical exercises |
Pan African Security Company Warrior Security has invested in the recruitment of women in security and managerial positions in a bid to create diversity in its workforce and provide more jobs for women, at a time when security studies show women achieve similar results when responding to violent crime situations, are less likely to engage in unprofessional behaviour, have just as good attendance records as men, and are respected just as much as men by citizens.
In Tanzania for example, where the company has gained a solid foot hold, the company gives priority to locals in employment, with the number of women taking up security guards roles now reaching new highs, dispelling the myth that such jobs are exclusively for men. Even with a dozen more security companies having set up shop in the country, Warrior Security is the only company that has invested in recruiting women as guards and in managerial positions.
Warrior is the leading security provider in South Sudan. The company maintains a state of the art control room in monitoring and coordinating response to guards, alarms, CCTV and vehicles all over South Sudan. Through the installation of the Power Track Fleet Management and Vehicle Recovery System, Warrior’s reach extends throughout East Africa and as far as Zambia, Malawi and the DRC.
The security company currently employs 2000 guards and will employ at least 4000 Tanzanian citizens by July 2014, among them women. “There is always a requirement for a number of women guards, especially where there is a personal search requirement for access control. However, we have also noted that Tanzanian women guards are very effective security officers and bring a different 'eye' to the role of Security Officer,” said Mike Liddicoat, Deputy Country Manager Warrior Security.
“We also felt it was important to provide employment opportunities for women in South Sudan where there are so few opportunities for women,” he said.
Since inception, Warrior Security has had positive feedback from its female guards across Africa and has been
Warrior Security has had positive feedback from its female guards across Africa and has been proud to encourage women into its growing workforce |
proud to encourage women into its growing workforce, and is now actively seeking to raise the numbers. It is the proactive and swift response of the female guards that proves the important role of women guards in averting crisis and attending to security breaches. Mirium Wilfred Samwel, one such guard who works at The Arusha Hotel, detained a member of the hotel staff attempting to steal milk from the kitchens. Janet Seemani, another guard manning Dekker Bruins, was commended recently for preventing the theft of client property.
According to John Davies, Warrior Security Group Quality Assurance & HSE Manager, Warrior Security has some 'In Charge' and 'Senior' women guards in South Sudan. There are also two female guards who have risen to administrative roles in the office. “Female guards are particularly popular with diplomatic and NGO assignments who embrace diversity and employ them,” he said.
Mr Davies said it was also essential to have female guards at clients' access control points when female staff and visitors require searching. “Female guards have proven to be efficient and often display great courage in performing their duties, in what is definitely a male dominated industry," he said.
Warrior security is based on a philosophy of equal opportunities as an employer. “In most instances, they are more than capable, normally they get the highest scores during training, and, on the ground, they are, in many instances, more effective than the men. We train men and women on the same training courses, there is no difference,” said Mr.Liddicott.
Warrior's Security training course combines both classroom and practical exercises covering a diverse range of subjects for both sexes that include general security theory, report writing, access control, patrolling, criminology, search techniques, fire fighting, public and customer relations, among others.
