The first ever National Security Officer Appreciation Week will be celebrated the week of September 20, 2015. Security officers play a critical role in businesses across the country and it is time that we recognize those efforts.
My company established National Security Officer Appreciation Week to recognize the contributions of contract and in-house security officers across all industries. The appreciation week is an opportunity to recognize the many roles of security officers; debunk misconceptions and stereotypes; and raise awareness of the career opportunities within the security services industry.
We hope that our fellow security officer companies -- and business leaders across all sectors - join us in honoring security officers. We all need to work together to ensure that security officers are treated with respect.
Why is this important to business leaders outside of the security sector? Creating a safe and secure environment is critical to successful business operations. The right environment attracts customers and visitors; builds confidence in the business' brand; and allows employees to focus on their work -- enhancing engagement, morale and productivity. Recognizing security officers reinforces your commitment to creating a safe and secure environment - and therefore your commitment to your employees.
It's time to elevate the national perception of security officers despite Hollywood's comic portrayal. Today's security officers are vigilant, responsive and dedicated to protecting our workplaces. Whether they are holding doors and offering assistance, or responding to medical emergencies, reporting suspicious behavior, controlling access or serving as a liaison to local law enforcement, these men and women are supporting your daily business operations. Our first line of defense during these challenging times deserve our appreciation.
Not only do we all need to appreciate security officers, we need to attract more talented men and women to the career opportunities in this growing industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,077,520 security officers nationwide in May 2014.
Security officers are better trained and more qualified to manage a diverse array of security and safety challenges than ever before. The transformation of the security officer sector is due to a myriad of complementary forces including respected security organizations NASCO, and ASIS International, as well as the many state agencies, organizations and security officer companies working together to create best practices and legislation for the industry. Let's join them by showing appreciation to security officers who deserve our recognition.
This annual event, which will be held the third week of September every year, will be featured in the upcoming edition of Chase's Calendar of Events. I implore all business leaders to demonstrate their appreciation for the security officers that watch over our workplaces and employees every day.