SIA marks International Security Officers’ Day by recognising frontline staff

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has marked International Security Officers’ Day by recognising the contribution of frontline security staff and highlighting the role they play in public safety.

The regulator said its chief executive Michelle Russell and chair Mike Cunningham visited security officers in London and Manchester to thank them for their work.

The SIA also recognised Shani Baldwin, a security team leader at a London hospital, for her response to a medical emergency.

While on patrol, Baldwin located a woman in crisis in a hospital car park after being alerted by a member of the public.

She administered emergency first aid, remained with the woman until clinical staff arrived and later received an ACS Pacesetters Award for her actions.

Baldwin said: “Looking back, it reinforced the importance of remaining calm under pressure, trusting your training, and working as a team to achieve the best possible outcome.

“It’s an incident that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Moments like that put everything into perspective.

“They remind you that this job is about far more than security and keeping premises secure: it’s about protecting life, supporting people through their darkest moments, and being there when it matters most.”