Security Officer

The starting salary is £39,924.60 which includes allowances totalling £3,009 and a 20% shift allowance. The salary is broken down as £30,763 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £32,908. Plus, a 20% shift allowance, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

The role is based at London Palaces. There may be a requirement to work across multiple London sites based on demand. The Metropolitan Police has responsibility for the protection and security of a number of Royal sites in London and Windsor. We need Security Officers to join our team providing 24-hour security coverage working 12 hour shifts. You’ll be working closely with Police Officers as part of a security and protection operation.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the department responsible for providing static and close protection for the Royal Family at some of the most iconic sites in the world.

The role holder will join a team of security officers providing security duties including access control, vehicle access, guest management at events. You’ll be representing both the Met and the Royal Household so you will need to be polite, smart and able to engage with a range of people. At times you may have to deal with incidents in the vicinity of the palaces. You will need to be highly vigilant and able to remain calm, have excellent communication and de-escalation skills. You will also need to be reliable, discrete and trustworthy with the ability to communicate professionally and diplomatically at all levels within the organisation as well as an ability to remain calm in sometimes stressful situations. On joining, you will be expected to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

The Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) department is responsible for the static protection of the Royal Residences in London, Windsor and Scotland – a high profile and hugely significant operation, in the national interest.

As a Security Officer, you will play a critical role in protecting Principals and maintaining the secure operating environment of Royal Residences. Through the professional management of access and egress, you will help preserve the sterility and integrity of protected sites. Working at designated security posts, you will be responsible for controlling the movement of people, vehicles, and deliveries, ensuring all access is authorised and compliant with security policies and procedures. Your vigilance, professionalism, and attention to detail will contribute directly to the safety and security of some of the most iconic and sensitive locations in the United Kingdom.

Full time, 36 hours per week. 20% Shift Disturbance Allowance for those on 12-hour shifts, days and nights.

The role is classed as an operational role with the requirement for the member of staff to be deployed at the location. There are unlikely to be opportunities for agile working.

Key Responsibilities

• The role of the Security Officer is primarily to manage access and egress of people, deliveries and vehicles at Royal Residences in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Role holder is responsible for ensuring secure and controlled access to Royal Residences, verifying credentials and managing entry of authorised personnel, contractors, deliveries and guests in line with established protocols.
• Support the delivery of the security requirement for events including Guard Change, Investitures, Garden Parties etc.
• Respond swiftly and appropriately to security incidents, suspicious behaviour, or emergencies and ensure accurate documentation, escalation and reporting.
• Role holder will uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality when interacting with staff and visitors.
• Work closely with police officers and other stakeholders to support coordinated security operations and share intelligence as required.
• Maintain accurate logs of incidents, access records, and operational activities, ensuring compliance with security procedures and data protection standards.

Working Conditions

• Shift-based work including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
• Shift changes at late notice.
• Outdoor duties in varying weather conditions.
• High-profile environment requiring strict adherence to conduct and confidentiality standards.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

• Effective written skills will be required to monitor and update security reporting systems, access control technology.
• Role holder should be able to use interpersonal skills to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Role holder should have strong observational/vigilance skills, to identify suspicious behaviour, potential threats, and breaches of protocol, and take appropriate action.
• Role holder should have effective verbal and written communication skills to engage with police personnel, visitors, and partners. They should be able to de-escalate situations using their communication skills and be able to remain calm and assertive under pressure. Role holders should also be polite with excellent customer service skills.
• Role holder should be able to demonstrate a high level of integrity, confidentiality, appearance and professionalism.
• By physically fit. Standing on post for periods of time can be demanding on your body. Ability to undertake physical training in Personal and Public Safety Training and First Aid.
• Previous experience working in a security environment.
• SIA Door Supervisor Qualification.

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.