Paragraph by paragraph
I would like to be considered for the Security Supervisor role at the Southbank Centre. I have worked in security in London since 2018, first on Oxford Street for Securitas and since 2021 as a Senior Security Officer for G4S, on a Canary Wharf campus used by more than 15,000 people a day.
Two employers and the size of his site
He names the role and venue, then gives both employers and the size of his current site. A security manager can judge the scale he works at from the first paragraph.
I lead a team of eight across day and night shifts. We watch more than 200 cameras and deal with around 50 incidents a day. Most are small, like a lost pass or a visitor who can't find their meeting and is getting upset.
Ordinary incidents, described well
Small, everyday incidents are easy to believe, and they show judgment and patience without identifying anyone.
On Oxford Street I dealt with more than 200 confrontations without needing to use force, and shoplifting in our stores fell by 35%. That was mostly down to being visible and talking to people early, before things escalated.
Calming things down, with a result
The number of confrontations handled without force is the strongest evidence in the letter. He then says how he did it, by being visible and talking to people early, which any security manager will recognise.
I have run more than 25 fire evacuation drills, and every one cleared the building within the target time. With Martyn's Law bringing new duties for large venues, I would like to use that planning at a site where thousands of people arrive for a single event.
Why this venue, and why now
He connects his evacuation experience to the venue's biggest challenge, large crowds at single events, and to Martyn's Law. That shows he knows what is changing in the industry.
I hold an SIA door supervisor licence and an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate, and I speak Yoruba as well as English. I can work nights, weekends and event days.
The licence line
He names the licence type and the first aid course. A door supervisor licence also covers security guarding, so it suits a venue that sells alcohol at events. The language line can help with visitors from abroad, and the shifts sentence answers the rota question.
Your SIA licence line
Most security roles in the UK need a licence from the Security Industry Authority, and employers will check it before you start. In your letter, be precise:
- Which licence you hold, such as security guarding, door supervision or public space surveillance (CCTV). You need a front line licence if you do licensable work yourself, supervisors included. A non front line licence is for people who only manage, supervise or employ licence holders. A door supervisor licence also lets you work as a security guard.
- That it is current, and when it expires if that is soon.
- Related training, with the year. Since 2021 you have needed an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate before door supervisor or security guard training, so give the course name. Counter terrorism and conflict management courses belong here too.
Don't claim a licence type you don't hold. Employers can check it on the SIA's public register.
What to send a security agency
Agencies fill a lot of security posts, and they want the licence and the size of your site in the first line, so this version starts there.
Describing incidents without saying too much
Security staff see a lot, and some of it is sensitive. Your letter should show your judgment without breaking anyone's privacy or your employer's confidence.
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| A detailed story about one person | The type of incident and how you handled it in general terms. |
| Physical detail about restraint | How you calmed things down, and how often it worked without force. |
| Client names and site layouts | The type and size of site, such as "a corporate campus of 15,000 people". |
| Anything from CCTV | That you monitor cameras and how many. |
How the first line changes for other security work
Your first security job
Say where you are with your SIA licence training and application, and show calmness and reliability from other work.
I completed my SIA security guarding training in September and my licence application is in progress, and I can work nights from the day it comes through.
Door supervisor
Venues want to know how you handle queues, refusals and people who have been drinking, without force.
I have worked the door at a busy city centre bar for three years, refusing entry most nights without a single complaint upheld against me.
CCTV operator
Give the number of cameras, how you work with police or the site team, and your licence for public space surveillance.
I monitor more than 200 cameras on a 24 hour site and work closely with the officers on the ground to deal with incidents early.
Retail security or store detective
Give loss figures you helped reduce and how you work with store staff.
On Oxford Street I helped cut shoplifting in our stores by 35%, mostly by being visible and talking to people before anything happened.
Event security or steward
Give the size of the events, your role in crowd flow and any training in crowd management.
I have stewarded at concerts and football matches of up to 40,000 people, usually on entry gates and crowd flow.
Martyn’s Law and what it means for applicants
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, and the SIA is its regulator.
- Standard duty applies to premises where 200 to 799 people may be present, and an enhanced duty applies to larger premises and events.
- There is an implementation period of at least 24 months, so venues are preparing now.
- For applicants, experience of evacuation, lockdown procedures, crowd management and counter terrorism awareness training is becoming more valuable, especially at venues, stadiums and large shops.
If you have that experience, say so in the letter. The ACT Awareness and ACT Security online courses on ProtectUK are free for people in the private security industry, and one you have finished, with the year, is worth a line.
Five mistakes in security cover letters
Leaning on toughness
A letter about strength and force suggests someone who goes looking for confrontation.
Show how you calm situations down and how often it works.
Telling one dramatic story
A detailed incident can identify people and make you sound like you enjoy confrontation.
Describe types of incident and your general approach.
Vague about the licence
"SIA licensed" without the type leaves the employer guessing whether you can do the job.
Name the licence type and say it is current.
No sense of scale
The reader can’t tell whether you watched one office lobby or a campus with thousands of people a day.
Give people per day, cameras and team size.
Leaving out shifts
Sites need cover around the clock, so managers look at your availability early.
Give the shifts and days you can cover.
Tone and the licence number
- Length: one page. David keeps his to around 220 words.
- Addressee: the security manager or head of security, by name where you can find it. For an agency post, the account manager who looks after the site.
- Tone: calm and factual, close to the way you would write an incident report. Supervisors write a lot of those, so the reader will notice.
- Licence number: include it on the application form, not necessarily in the letter.
The main points from this page
- 1Name your SIA licence type and say it is current.
- 2Show judgment through everyday incidents, described generally.
- 3Give results for calming situations down, never physical details.
- 4Mention evacuation and crowd experience, especially for venues under Martyn’s Law.
- 5Give your shifts, including nights and event days.
Frequently asked questions
What should a security officer cover letter include?
The role and site, your security experience, the scale of your current site, how you handle incidents, evacuation experience, your SIA licence and training, and your shifts.
How do I write a security cover letter with no experience?
Say where you are with SIA training and your licence, and use other jobs to show you are calm, reliable and good with the public.
Should I mention specific incidents?
In general terms only. Describe the type of incident and how you handled it, and never details that could identify the people involved.
What is Martyn’s Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It sets duties for premises and events where 200 or more people may be present, regulated by the SIA, after an implementation period of at least 24 months.
How long should a security cover letter be?
One page of about 220 to 250 words. For an agency, the short version above is enough.