If you are looking to get into an exciting part of the security industry then you might want to consider becoming a Key Response Officer. In this role, you will be responsible for checking the safety of premises after an alarm has gone off as well as other duties related to the building you are keeping secure. You may also be dispatched from the control room to handle emergencies as they arise. To become a Key Response Officer you have will have to complete the right type of training and you must be physically fit. That’s because you may have to respond to situations that require a strong physical presence for suppression of an offender in some cases. Your role may also include monitoring alarm systems at both commercial and private properties.
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As with any sector in security, you must first become licensed should you decide to become a Key Response Officer. There are two licenses that are required for this position. They are the SIA Door Supervisor License or Security Guard License. Both of these licenses will equip you with the skills that you need to properly carry out the duties of a Key Response Officer.
Course cost
The general security guard course is a four-day course and costs £189.99.
The SIA Door Supervisor License license is a six-day course that also features multiple-choice exams as well as practical assessments. The training for the license starts at £229.99. For only an extra £20 and two days, we think it’s best to cover your bases and be licensed for venues and positions which involve the sale of alcohol. This way you can be posted to a wider variety of assignments which could mean more cash for you.
There is also a license fee to pay after training of £190.00 and it is valid for three years.
You can apply and pay for your license, at a local post office or online. The total cost of the course and the license is £439.99.
Legal Requirements
The SIA License requires you to:
You can find out more about the mental health requirements as well as the criminal background check in other blogs on the site.
Start a successful career as a Key Response Officer by following these steps:
This is the first step to become a Key Response Officer
Can consist of multiple choice exams and includes a physical assessment.
You can apply for your licence through the postoffice after passing the course
Once you have your licence, you can start applying for Key Response Officer jobs in your area
We offer price match if you find the same course cheaper elsewhere.
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Key Response Officer’s Duties and Responsibilities:
Following training for this role, you will be equipped with the skills to:
Key Response Officers are also expected to be:
Working Conditions
A Key Response Officer works closely with the Control Room to monitor and ensure security and safety at a variety of places. When you are out on the field you can expect long hours on your feet as you will be required to make the necessary patrols and inspections to ensure a building is secure.
You will also be expected to learn more about alarm systems so that you can understand the calls that you are responding to. This will help you to have a better understanding of the situation that you might have to face. The nature of this job is round the clock and even though you will work in shifts it may mean that you will be called out to duty on some weekends and maybe public holidays. When there is no need for being out on the field you will be expected to liaise with the Control Room Operators to give assistance.
Skills and personal qualities required:
A Protection Security Officer needs to be:
Education required
There are no specific qualifications such as GCSEs required to take your SIA course. However, because all you need is your SIA qualification you will be competing with a lot of people from countries around the world who have the right to work in the UK. You should have at least a strong command of English as you will be required to listen and understand situations as well as write reports and communicate with your team.
Benefits of the jobs:
Life skills they would acquire:
This job should put you in a great position to learn more about alarms and CCTV systems. It will also help when it comes to learning about being part of a team. You will have to learn how to coordinate with the authorities as well which can help give you an insight into how the emergency services operate and respond.
You can also expect to:
Wage rate and hours
A lot of your job will entail liaising with your control room in some situations and sometimes with other authorities. You will be expected to have expert investigative skills when dispatched so that you can properly evaluate a situation. It is an aspect of security where you will be on-call during your shift so you can expect long hours.
Most Key Response Officers start out making about £10.00 an hour. With more training and responsibility as you progress through the ranks, you may be able to get up to about £15.00 an hour.
How much does a Key Response Officer earn?
As with many other shift systems in the security industry, you can expect to work anywhere between 20 to 48 hours when you are getting started. Since there is always a need for a Key Response Officer, you can probably expect to work on weekends and public holidays as well.
The table below shows how much you could earn:
Experience |
Hourly |
Typical weekly (40 hours) |
Typical annually (40 hours per week) |
Starter |
£10 to £12 |
£400 to £480 |
£20,800 - £24,960 |
Mid-level |
£12 to £16 |
£480 to £640 |
£24, 960 - £33,280 |
Head |
£16+ |
£800+ |
£33,280+ |
A new Key Response Officer can hope to earn around £20,800 a year, which is on par with many other sectors of the industry. While this may be less than the annual pay of more senior officers, the chance for growth as you gain experience is very possible. It is a role that you must be specially trained for and you will find that the skills earned can help you gain more as you show proficiency in the role. With the right type of dedication, you can move to more senior roles where you can expect to earn as much as £33,280 a year.
It’s quite possible to advance significantly in this role and increase your earnings in a quick time. It is more likely however if you continue to qualify yourself and train more. The job does come with some risk and so some companies may offer extra compensation because of this as well. This largely depends on how fast you can learn the job. With a dedication to the role, you can increase your earnings as time passes and your security team believes that you are more dependable.
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Start a successful career as a Key Response Officer by following these steps:
This is the first step to become a Key Response Officer
Can consist of multiple choice exams and includes a physical assessment.
You can apply for your licence through the postoffice after passing the course
Once you have your licence, you can start applying for Key Response Officer jobs in your area
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