Eyes on the Crowd: A Q&A with Jaclyn

The security industry is often viewed from the outside with many assumptions, but behind every role is a unique journey, different experiences, and personal challenges that rarely get spoken about openly. In this exclusive Risk Averse Connections Q&A, Jaclyn Leet shares her honest perspective on entering the industry later in life, working across events, CCTV, and diplomatic tasks, while also opening up about neurodiversity, resilience, professionalism and the realities of working within modern security. Her responses provide a raw and refreshing insight into an industry that continues to evolve.

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us how your journey into the security industry first began?

“Hi my name is Jaclyn Leet. My journey into this sector of work only really started last year in June. After spending years of working in customer service/admin/and support roles I really needed a change big time. I love helping people and knew that all the skills I had acquired over the years would definitely come in very handy in the world of security. Being new to this type of work I had to start from the bottom so to speak so began by gaining my CCTV licence then my door supervisor licence to enable me to actively start working in security. In January this year I gain my FREC3 certificate followed shortly after in March with my Close Protection Licence.”

2. Your profile mentions CCTV, door supervision, events and diplomatic tasks. Which area of security do you enjoy the most and why?

“Well so far, I have enjoyed every single task I’ve done to date to be fair. I’ve been lucky enough to work in a few different areas of security but I think my favourites have definitely been The Cold Play concert I did, it was my very first time being at an outdoor concert of that scale. To see everything that goes into it, all the behind-the-scenes action, planning etc was just mind blowing. Also doing the diplomatic task at Chatham House in London was amazing and a great experience as my aim is to mainly work in close protection and ultimately drone security at some point.”

3. What originally attracted you to the industry and what has kept you in it?

“I needed to change and something more challenging, something that would keep me on my toes in every way and something that ultimately would excite me every day. No two days are ever the same in security that’s for sure. I like to learn and find that I can learn something new from everyone I work with on some scale. It could be something as simple as how some engages with the general public, de-escalates a situation without attracting too much attention. For me it’s all experience.”

4. Working across concerts, events and private functions can be very demanding. What are some of the biggest challenges people don’t see behind the scenes?

“All the planning that goes into having the right security officers on that task. The security sector unfortunately is now flooded with other nationalities and English is definitely not their first language. Sometimes you will have people not appropriately dressed for the task, turning up late etc and this always has a knock-on effect and can affect schedules and timings of certain tasks needing to be carried out. At times lack of training, especially at bigger events for example, at a big convert, you couldn’t put new security officers in the pit right in front of the stage unless they have had appropriate lifting training for being able to remove members of the public from the audience if needed.”

5. How important is communication and professionalism within security roles?

“Communication and professionalism on all levels in security is so important no matter what role your doing, especially when it comes to the hight security tasks. Speaking fluent English is an absolute must and a non-negotiable as far as I’m concerned. I take what I do very seriously and I really enjoy what I’m doing. I see security officers and their standard of these two very important areas is nowhere near where it should be and definitely needs improving.”

6. You mention “Let your experience speak for you” in your bio. What does that quote personally mean to you?

“For me it means, don’t judge me before you even take the time to get to know me and who I am. I’m neurodivergent, born with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. The first 3 were not diagnosed until I was 39 years and the autism was only diagnosed in January this year and I’m now 57 years. Neurodivergent people are always being judge in various ways. Since starting in security, I’ve been judge because I’m female, older and because of my hidden disabilities. At times it can be never ending, not to mention draining. However when I tell people when I started working in security and tell them about all the tasks I’ve done so far they soon change their tune !”

7. Have you noticed the industry changing over the years, either positively or negatively?

“God yeah, so much has changed. I think mainly the quality of people the SIA are issuing licences too over the years has been absolutely shocking. They appear to be issuing licences these days to just about anyone. The amount of people doing “through the back door” weekend courses is crazy. This basically means they are able to gain a licence by completing just a 2 days course where they would definitely not be learning everything that they should be learning.”

8. As a woman working within security, what advice would you give to other women thinking about entering the industry?

“Absolutely go for it. This industry has always had a shortage of female security officers but also has a shortage of decent looking female security officers. Put it this way, there is a time and place for body mass and muscle, for example night clubs, pub doors or football stadiums. However, working in close protection, the focus is more on your overall presentation, communication skills etc more than body mass or muscles.”

9. What has been your most memorable experience while working in security so far?

“To date I would have to say the diplomatic task at Chatham House and the Cold Play concert.”

10. What qualities separate a good security operative from a great one in your opinion?

”Apart from the obvious skills that I have mentioned I would say your unique personality and sense of humour. The willingness to always learn from everyone around you, treating everyone with respect and manners and be willing to try all tasks as much as you can, it’s all experience at the end of the day.”

11. What are some of the biggest misconceptions the public have about security professionals?

”I think the biggest one I always come a crossed is that the general public think and feel security offices must always be hands on straight away in every situation. This couldn’t be further from what we are allowed to do if they tried. We are never allowed to put hands on unless it’s absolutely necessary to do so and we have to be able to justify why we did that. Our licence is on the line at the end of the day.”

12. Finally, what are your future goals or ambitions within the industry?

“My ultimately long-term goal is to work mainly in close protection as much as I can whilst still keeping my hand in with door supervisor tasks when they come up. I’m currently researching areas for drone work and trying to figure out which type of drone should be my first one. Wish me luck LOL”

Risk Averse Connections would like to thank Jaclyn Leet for taking the time to share her journey, experiences and honest perspective on the security industry. Her openness, rawness and willingness to speak candidly about both the positives and challenges within the sector made this a genuinely insightful conversation. From major event security to close protection ambitions, Jaclyn’s passion for learning, professionalism, and personal growth clearly stands out, and we wish her continued success for the future.

To connect with Jaclyn or follow her journey within the security industry, you can find her on Instagram: @jleetsecurity