Gaining experience in security lays the career foundation for Law Enforcement and Policing. The skill sets needed to pass the police hiring application process can be developed through the experience of being a security officer. This is why people who are interested in a career in policing start in the security industry.
Samira Faqiri followed that path. Starting as a security officer with Paladin, she gained invaluable experience and developed the skills needed to take the next step. Today, she wears her police uniform with pride and shares her inspiring story.
A Small Girl with A Mighty Dream
Samira dreamed of pursuing a career in policing from a young age. However, growing up as a girl in Afghanistan, where female rights are severely restricted, she was told that she could not be a Police Officer because of her gender. Those discouraging words only made her more determined to chase a career in policing.
When she arrived in Canada as a newcomer in 2016, she focused on learning English and explored pathways to Law Enforcement. Despite an uncertain future, she decided to begin her journey as a Security Officer to gain experience. Paladin Security was becoming her clear top choice, given its reputation and the opportunities it offers.
Samira started her role as a Security Officer at Surrey Central, where her passion for helping people in crises allowed her to gain critical experience and develop her understanding of the security field. Through Paladin, she received extensive training in Conflict Management, Defensive Tactics, Edged Weapon Defense, and Supervisory Skills. During this time, she also felt supported and cared for by her supervisor.
“I received great mentorship from Security Manager Subby Grewal, who motivated and encouraged me to try my best and constantly improve.” Said Samira.
Thriving Through the Transition: From Security to Policing
Determined to progress her career to the next level and be a positive role model for females from minority ethnic groups, Samira did her best to prepare and apply to become an RCMP Officer, where she faced and overcame all the challenges and thrived.
Throughout her field experience and the training program, she dealt with various cases like mental health, shoplifting, customer service, drug use, and evictions, which developed her confidence and communication skills. The heavy course load and constant pressure during the RCMP basic training also developed her time management skills. While the process was difficult, Samira felt the toughest part of it all was the fitness test, given her small stature.
The RCMP launched a new Police Fitness Assessment (PFA) this year, which includes a 500-metre run with directional changes, a push-and-pull task with 37kg and 54kg resistance, and an emergency assistance task where recruits load 15 objects weighing 23kg each into a truck bed, followed by a 50-meter run carrying a weight that simulates half a stretcher with an adult casualty. Additionally, the assessment features a high-priority task where recruits don 4.5kg of hard body armour, sprint 150 meters, climb two flights of stairs, and finish with a short sprint. Candidates need to complete each component within specific time limits.
"You are following your path and are good enough if you do your best. In training, they don't give any accommodation for size. You will have to lift the same weights and undergo the same obstacles as everyone else." Said Samira.
As a smaller female, she inevitably received judgment from others. But she didn't let it affect her performance. Her strong will, effort in fitness, and commitment to succeed made her overcome this challenge.
Looking Ahead: Committed to Serving the Community
As a new Police Officer, her duty shares similarities with security work in dealing with similar situations. However, when she wears a police uniform, she feels she is perceived as more authoritative and receives more respect from the public. Her perseverance and experience enable her to apply good judgment when facing ambiguous situations.
"If you are ready, just apply. Don't wait too long. The RCMP will teach you all the skills you need; don't be too worried about getting everything ready," Samira said.
She also encourages people who want to apply to the police to give their best effort and take every stage in the application process as a chance to showcase their best work.
What's next in her career? Though she's still early in her policing career, she plans to get into community policing and support people who need help, especially newcomers and immigrants like herself. In the long run, she hopes to become a homicide investigator.
Paladin Security is proud to provide the Paladin to Policing Training Program to support dedicated officers in boosting their careers in policing. With extensive training aligned with recommendations from police and law enforcement recruiters, a career with Paladin prepares Security Officers with the skills needed to succeed as a Police Officer, RCMP members, Border Services Agents, military personnel, or Corrections Officers.
If you are interested in gaining related experience to boost your application or getting involved in a career where you can make a difference, we are currently hiring for positions at our branches across Canada. View our open positions here.
If you are a current employee at Paladin, you can learn more about our Paladin to Policing program and how we help our qualified staff boost their careers in Law Enforcement.
If you are interested in gaining related experience to boost your application or getting involved in a career where you can make a difference, we are currently hiring for positions at our branches across Canada, check out our careers page.
Ready to kickstart your career in security? Here is a guide on How to become a Security Officer and a free downloadable template to write the ideal Security Guard resume.