Security Officer Awarded Industry Distinction for Helping Distressed Student

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25 July 2024

Gaynor Iveson, a security officer working for Kingdom Security, has been recognised at an industry awards ceremony for supporting a distressed student in a critical situation. 

Gaynor works in campus accommodation security alongside a team of 25-30 security officers, and her main day-to-day involvement includes managing fire alarms and students locked out of their flats. 

However, when Gaynor was alerted to a student in distress at the accommodation, she visited them in their room to offer a comforting presence. The student disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted and Gaynor quickly arranged for emergency accommodation and supported the student through the process of reporting the incident.

Gaynor was presented with the industry accolade at the ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Awards 2024 at the Royal Windsor Racecourse. This event recognises the lifesaving, brave and remarkable acts of frontline security officers.

Having worked in the security sector for just three years, Gaynor attributes her success to her past background in customer service and her experiences as a mother: 

“I initially thought that security officers needed to be exceptionally tough, but I’ve found that the university/student role needs a personable approach. I’m 4”11, so I’m not particularly intimidating! But people do open up to me, which means, at times, I can help them.

“There are so many women who have valuable experience in customer service who don’t consider security as a career path, as it’s still such a male-dominated industry. But they likely have all the skills you need to do the job – compassion, resilience, efficiency, empathy and friendliness!”

Picture a photograph of Neil Coles, Director of Service – Central at Kingdom Security, presenting Gaynor with her award. Image Credit: ACS Pacesetters 2024

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 25 July 2024

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