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Security Officer : CCTV Operator Job Description

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By: A. Davis Thursday May 17 2012
Map: Home | Security Officer - Date Submitted: 2011-06-23 15:28:08 - Views: 1356
Closed circuit television surveillance cameras ensure the public safety and eliminate illegal activity on any council premises, public areas or on private property. CCTV operators closely monitor banks of VDU screens and look for any suspicious or illegal activities. CCTV is commonly used in council operated car parks and council buildings.

The most important task for a CCTV operator is to uphold safety of staff members and the public and prevent any crime. One may joke that the only requirement to work as a CCTV operator is that you have unblinking eyes, but there are in fact many skills and traits that come in handy.

It is imperative for CCTV operators to have extraordinary attention to detail since they will be watching live pictures on an entire bank of monitors. CCTV operators work in a central control room watching up to 15 screens at a time, receiving live feeds from more than 100 surveillance cameras. It is extremely important that every activity be closely observed in order to maintain safety and order. Shifts are scheduled tightly to make sure that there is no down time during shift changes. Some CCTV operators work alone, while others work in teams. CCTV operators have specific procedures to follow if they witness any illegal or suspicious activity and may often call or radio security staff or police.

In order to work successfully as a CCTV operator it is important to have some specific skills. One of the most important traits of course is excellent eyesight and attention to detail. It is also important to be able to react quickly in case of emergency and be discreet. Discretion is important because you must not ever relay what you have seen on the monitors to the public. Your ability to work unsupervised is also important since you will be responsible for watching a lot of screens at once and be able to make quick judgment calls about what you see.

CCTV operators can operate the cameras from inside the control room which can help them prioritize what they are watching. Certain areas may be more important to watch during certain times or in case of emergencies. For instance, if an alarm goes off in a building forcing security to check into the problem, the CCTV operator will monitor the area and communicate with security if they see anything suspicious. They may also choose to monitor a car park attendant during times when money is collected from ticket machines.

CCTV operators are often in contact with other security staff and the police to report crimes such as theft and vandalism. Because CCTV operators can see what is happening live they are often able to aid in the capture of criminals before they leave the scene of the crime. In addition to the task of monitoring live footage, CCTV operators are responsible for maintain their videotapes. Every tape must be kept for a specific amount of time in case the police need them for an investigation. They must also keep a written log of all incidents they witness in case the police require that information as well.

Most CCTV operators are full time employees with a lot of responsibility however some positions are part time. Rates of pay can vary based on location and hours. You may be required to obtain a SIA licence in order to perform certain tasks as a public space surveillance operative. In order to obtain a SIA licence you will have to complete a training program that will teach you crime prevention techniques. You must also undergo a police check to acquire this position.

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