While many would consider working in the security industry to be a thankless job, the officers on the frontline know that it’s when nothing happens that people are the most grateful.

By Azhar Jalil

Unassuming yet stoic, Nurshahidah is the new face of security. The girl-next-door has always had a passion with anything police-related and is now chasing her dreams with AETOS Security Management Pte Ltd.

"I don’t like to work in an office environment. In fact, I prefer jobs that are outdoors and rough,” explains the 19-year-old Auxiliary Police Officer (APO).

Corporal (CPL) Nurshahidah is normally stationed at security checkpoints, ubiquitous but crucial. “Part of my responsibilities include ensuring that people in their cars or buses do not carry contraband or restricted items such as cameras, because it is against regulations to take pictures at most of these restricted locations” she says.

With the nation’s emphasis on security and vigilance, the job has seen CPL Nurshahidah posted to various key installations around the island. Singapore’s icon, Changi Airport, and the multi-million dollar petrochemical hub on Jurong Island are among the places that she has been been given the mission to protect..

Threading a fine balance
The human traffic at these locations is typically high in volume. Hence, the challenge to any checkpoint security officer is to successfully manage and control the flow of people. To add to the pressure, officers naturally have to be absolutely thorough during security checks but also speedy enough to ensure that the checkpoints’ traffic is smooth flowing.

Naturally, some members of the public are perturbed by this level of scrutiny despite it being in the best interests of their security. As part of her job, CPL Nurshahidah has to deal with such situations involving uncompromising members of the public.

“I remembered a particular incident where someone claimed to have forgotten to bring his pass. He said, “I work here! Why do I need a visitor pass?” even though everyone else required one to enter Jurong Island,” she recalls.

“We have to be firm but at the same time handle the situation in a professional and tactful manner,” she adds, noting that not everyone is aware of the demands placed on her youthful shoulders.

When the man remained adamant about gaining access without proper accreditation, the matter was referred to her superiors who eventually convinced the man to collect his pass from home before returning. This network of support ensures that AETOS officers are never left to face threats alone, a key component of dealing with security challenges.

Learning and growing
“I’ve learnt a lot, working the grounds with former Singapore Police Force and other senior officers who have shared much of their valuable experience with me,” CPL Nurshahidah enthuses. “There’s still more to learn and it gets more interesting,” she adds.

Tapping on this deep source of expertise honed over the years, CPL Nurshahidah has grown both professionally and personally. “I’ve learnt to be more confident,” she says, putting this new-found belief into her secondary role as a recruitment officer. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her experiences with others and tell them about her job.

Initially apprehensive about taking up the appointment, she eventually agreed after some persuasion. “My seniors were never short of encouraging words. Even though I was afraid, they have always motivated and supported me,” she says.

Aside from training in unarmed, firearms, crowd control and inspection tactics, AETOS officers are also instilled with the discipline and professionalism to serve the people they encounter in their day-to-day responsibilities, and also meet operational needs.

Camaraderie is also a big and important part of the AETOS culture, where all the officers work hard and play hard, and support one another during work and outside of work.

Ready and able
AETOS officers are also put through regular staff appraisals to assess their competency at discharging their duties. Together with the close and supportive working culture, the company seems to have found the perfect formula for providing comprehensive security coverage.

In an annual grading exercise conducted by SIRD, AETOS scored A – for excellent – out of 262 security firms based here; only 26 other firms obtained the same distinction in 2008. To sweeten this success, the company is also one of the few to score consecutive A’s, 3 in a row from 2006 to 2008.

Such results serve greatly in proving the mettle and ability of AETOS as a stalwart in security. Aided by technology and driven by the professionalism of its officers, the company is well placed to meet the demands posed by the modern high security climate.

At the end of the day, CPL Nurshahidah is more than satisfied with her stint so far at AETOS. While some may cringe at being given such a heavy responsibility at the frontline of homeland security, the young corporal does her duty with dedication and pride.

As she says matter-of-factly: “I’m just doing my job.”

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