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Letter From Australia: Addressing Deficits in Venue Security Officer Training in Cairns

NCJ Number
236101
Journal
Crime Prevention & Community Safety Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 218-227
Author(s)
Charmaine S. Hayes-Jonkers; Shane Pointing; Alan R. Clough
Date Published
August 2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A study of alcohol-related assault identified the need for basic training in human behaviour, as it is essential to staff safety and protection.
Abstract
As with other front-line agencies, the role of licensed venue security officers is risky, as they put their bodies on the line at work. As 'the watchers' of public behavior and disorder, security officers are rarely asked about their needs or how to improve their industry and their role within it. A study of alcohol-related assault in and around licensed premises in inner city of Cairns (far North Queensland, Australia) identified the need for basic training in human behavior, as it is essential to staff safety and protection. As part of the Cairns study researchers provided this training in response to senior management's request. This article describes the training provided and security officers' responses to it. The industry may be failing licensed venue security officers if rudimentary skills-based learning and workplace health and safety training and support are not addressed. (Published Abstract)