Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

The names and dismissive attitudes roll off his back like water. He's heard and seen it all before. The crowd at the last rave had two antagonists, this one has seen only one so far. The disrespect sometimes thrust upon his duties go unnoticed. There's a job to do requiring total focus on the tasks at hand.

DeanYoung says there are many entry-level opportunities in security

"Temperament is a big thing," explained Centurion Security Services' Dean Young, of being a security guard. "Don't take anything personally. It's more the uniform than you. Be professional. Know your job and do your job. You learn how to deal with difficult people."

While not everyone has the natural ability to deal with uncooperative or disrespectful people, those skills can be learned. "If you have a good head on your shoulders, we can train you to be a good security guard," Young, the company's training co-ordinator said. "And it's easy to get in, even with no experience. It's sometimes easier to have someone with no experience because they're not bringing bad habits with them." With a city growing as fast as Calgary, and more people turning to private security services, those entry-level opportunities look to be plenty in the years ahead, he added.

After graduating from the University of Calgary with a degree in sociology, Young took advantage of the opportunities the private security industry offers. Specializing in crisis management in post-secondary, and after some additional courses geared specifically to security, Young has quickly moved his way up in the industry. He still has aspirations of one day moving to the world of public policing, but for now enjoys preparing newcomers for the realities of private security.

"It's not our job to physically fight someone," Young said. "I'm on the phone to the police because that's their job. The most important function of our job is to observe and report. We're being paid to write details down and pass it on." But that's not to say everyday is the same. Security guards work at numerous locations such as construction sites, strip malls, industrial yards, in malls, at raves, and events like the World Petroleum Congress. Some even work as body guards. The duties will vary according to the venue, and what the customer wants guarded.

A night security guard at an industrial yard, for example, will be equipped with a special two-way radio to communicate with Centurion's dispatch officer. Working on foot, hourly that guard will make contact with dispatch to ensure everything is running smoothly at the yard, and with the guard, who may be working alone. If the guard can't be contacted by radio, a mobile officer will visit the site to check on the guard.

"A common dislike is the boredom," Young said. "It's hard to sit on a trailer yard for 12 hours and watch nothing. And there's not much prestige. But if you're bored, you're not doing your job. There are always things to do or note. There are manuals to read because there is a lot to know with respect to civil and criminal liabilities." And there's lots of paperwork to complete.

Security guards need more than knowledge about the law to work in Alberta. To become a security guard, you must be 18 or over and able to obtain a security guard licence. Some security companies may also require you to have a private investigator licence and an alarm licence, if you're going to respond to an activated alarm at a home or business. Some companies will offer full-time and part-time positions. Some will provide shirts and/or jackets to identify you as a security guard. Each company will also offer its own training, which could include self-defence, verbal de-escalation techniques, first aid and CPR.

Not all security jobs are boring, Young said. But those just entering the field will have to earn their stripes before being moved to more exciting roles, because those jobs often require a higher degree of knowledge and experience, he added. Accordingly, the more experience you have, the more you will earn.

"Commit to the long-term because things don't happen quickly in this industry," Young said. "And take advantage of training opportunities accorded to you. It will get you thinking of situations you never thought of before. Most of the people we have to deal with in the performance of our duties aren't the type of people who are going to be friendly."

Diffusing those situations and the basic of dealing with people continue to offer the challenge Young desires. He believes others are well suited for those tasks as well. "If you like working with people, this is great. If you're good at handling people, it's a good place to be, but you have to stand up (for yourself). "