To serve and protect
Shandil enjoys his work
AMITESH Shandil works as a security officer and one of his roles is to offer outstanding service to the general populace.
Mr Shandil said his responsibilities included securing a particular premise, patrolling property on either foot or in a vehicle and protecting lives.
“We’re perceived as extremely serious people who are unable to crack even a smile,” he said.
“I find my work in total contrast to people’s thoughts. I want to be known as a nice security guard who is able to share a joke or two, although I do an important job. I enjoy going the extra mile to assist a customer and I feel happy.”
He said his role as a security guard was also to act as a crime-buster by deterring potential criminal activities.
“I vividly recall an ordeal whereby I was part of an operation to nab a criminal who had been breaking into some Ba offices during the festive season sometime back. Although we couldn’t outmanoeuvre and outsmarted me and my three other colleagues, it felt awesome to be part of that operation.
“The great thing was those office breakins were a thing of the past from that time onwards.”
Mr Shandil added that his core role as a security officer involved identifying, preventing, observing and reporting thefts, including violence, by maintaining a high level of visibility.
“I always strive to ensure every effort is undertaken by me to prevent any illegal or inappropriate actions.
“The overall safety of humans and property in a particular facility is my mantra.
“As a security officer, I value human life and I have a thorough understanding of how people feel about their safety and their possessions.
“I know that I am in the right line of work when I put my uniform on.”
He is the eldest in a family consisting of two other boys and a girl.
“I am originally from the football-crazy town of Ba and reside at Varoko. My dad is a cane farmer and mum is a domestic worker, but she is the boss of the household.”
The 28-year-old was educated up to Year 11 from Ba Sanatan College.
“I got enrolled at Veilomani Boys Home in Yalalevu, Ba to pursue a course in mechanical work after leaving secondary school. I graduated with a certificate after two years. There were hardly any employment opportunities for mechanics in Ba, so I opted to work as a row boy for NewWorld Supermarket. I was sad to see that my dream of working as a qualified mechanic was shattered. It was beyond my control.” Mr Shandil said it was by chance that he commenced work in the security industry.
“I was always intrigued by the role of a security officer, especially when they were able to apprehend shoplifters at the supermarket I used to work at. I was inspired by their ability to sniff bad elements and I wanted to do a similar job. The urge to catch bad people made me want to change my profession and I love every second of it now.”
Mr Shandil said living with the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent health and hygiene measures implemented by the authorities had a huge effect on him.
“I want to thank my employer for keeping me on the payroll, although I am working on reduced hours at the moment. It has been a challenging two years of a killer virus and hopefully the New Year ushers in positivity.”
The eligible bachelor is always looking forward to a new day to ensure that the location he is being deployed to and its occupants remain safe and secure.
“I love my job as a security officer because I get to interact with so many interesting people. Although it is a dangerous job, the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the property and individuals where I am posted gives me great pride. I always give my 100 per cent and strive to carry my role with the utmost vigilance. I want to acquire as much security surveillance experience as possible because I intend to get promoted to a managerial position within the organisation.”
Mr Shandil has been employed by Suvabased Professional Security Services Ltd for the past eight years.
I was always intrigued by the role of a security officer, especially when they were able to apprehend shoplifters at the supermarket I used to work at. I was inspired by their ability to sniff bad elements and I wanted to do a similar job.
– Amitesh Shandil