Guardian Awards: Excellence in post-Covid security

New NZSA weekly awards programme promoting the Covid-era efforts of security personnel delivers its first recipients as the public and end users acknowledge essential service security excellence.

Launched as a way to promote and recognise the efforts of security personnel during the lockdown period and as restrictions are gradually lifted, the NZSA’s Covid-19 Guardian Awards have appeared out of thin air and at just the right time.

Each week, nominations are screened and assessed, and the winning individual or team announced and awarded with a trophy. The awards are open to all security personnel who hold a Certificate of Approval.

Winner Week 1: Marcus Hendriksen Marcus joined the Allied Security team in 2019 as a University of Otago Library Security Officer. With Covid-19 hitting all businesses hard and libraries closing their operations, Marcus was able to move into Allied’s rapid response team to assist other customers.

According to Chris McDowall, Allied’s General Manager of Operations, Marcus was stationed at the Countdown Dunedin South supermarket and brought with him a personal approach, a positive attitude, and a focus on excellence. “Marcus is a people person and an exceptional officer,” said Chris.

“We are pleased to see Marcus rewarded by the industry through this recognition, and these actions by the NZSA are a key reason to be involved in our industry body.

Inaugural awardee Marcus Hendriksen of Allied Security. Image: NZSA.

Marcus is working with Countdown supermarkets in the Dunedin area, representing his employer Allied Security, and the security industry, as an outstanding individual.”

“Throughout Covid-19 Level 4 lock-down Marcus has been absolute treasure at the door, he’s very welcoming and helpful to our customers,” stated a representative from Countdown, Dunedin South, on the award nomination form. “Marcus has excelled in every way to the point where we would love to employ him here with us.”

“It’s been uncertain times for our customers who visit the store but Marcus’ way of easing that unknown for them has been noticed by many Dunedin shoppers and has been mentioned a few times on Facebook. Countdown Dunedin South can only thank Marcus for the great work he has shown us all.”

Winners Week 2: Guardforce’s Pakuranga Plaza security team The first team recipient of the recently instituted awards scheme is Guardforce’s Pakuranga Plaza security team consisting of Lutelo Hausia (Site Security Manager), Kelemete Makalio, Mark Tavoi Solomona, Meketi Silva and Phillip Lova.

This outstanding team was nominated by Allan Wharerau, General Manager of Guardforce Security, with the nomination prompted by multiple commendations received from Pakuranga Plaza retailers and shoppers in addition to the Plaza’s property manager.

“This team have proved to everyone visiting the Plaza that they are rock stars!” said Allan.

“They are caring and friendly and easy to communicate with, always wanting to know if we were okay,” commented a centre retailer. “We value what they do and how much they care about the people that have worked through this difficult time, as well as putting their lives at risk for all of us.”

According to the manager of a pharmacy in the centre, the team “have been a tremendous help to

Award winners: Guardforce’s Pakuranga Plaza team. Image: NZSA.

our pharmacy team, helping elderly patients and supporting us in various ways.”

In an email to Guardforce, Property Manager Jaki Dwight commented that “it is rare that anyone provides good feedback in any normal situation so getting this kind of feedback in the midst of such a difficult time for the world is truly amazing.”

“You guys are making us proud every day and I know that Ziso [Avram, founder of Guardforce Security who passed away in 2018] will be looking down and smiling at the efforts you are all going to, to make things safe and run as smoothly as possible,” continued Jaki. “He would be proud as punch!”

Winners Week 3: Miranda Clark and Bryan Keightley Miranda and Bryan have received their awards for outstanding service performed at Tauranga’s Baypark Covid-19 assessment centre during Alert Level 4 lockdown.

The nomination resulted from a commendation from a member of the public, Andrea Crawford, who was advised by her doctor to attend the testing centre after suffering flu like symptoms. She shared her story with the Sunlive newspaper in the Bay of Plenty who published an article about her experience.

Praising all of the staff at the assessment centre, Andrea called out the security team for the care,

compassion and professionalism they showed with patients who were stressed and going through what can be an unpleasant procedure.

“I am just one of thousands, but I did not feel like I was,” she said. “I felt cared for…and the medical staff could not have done their jobs so well without such a great support crew and that includes the security team.”

“We have received several nominations for security teams working in Covid-19 assessment centres and with DHBs, and they all deserve recognition, but this one stood out,” said NZSA CEO Gary Morrison.

“What is important to remember is none of the staff, including security, have dealt with anything like this before. To deliver such a high level of service and care in a situation which is fluid, escalating and involving people obviously concerned for their health, is extraordinary.”

Heather Jones, the owner and Managing Director of Aegis Private Security in Tauranga is rightly proud of her team and commented that “a great employee is like a four-leaf clover; very hard to find and lucky to have.”

Bay of Plenty District Health Board Community Based Health Services Lead Dr Joe Bourne agreed, telling Sunlive, “Although our assessment centres have been set up very swiftly to respond to Covid-19 we have been really focussed on ensuring the service provided is a quality one which includes a good patient experience.”

In announcing the awards programme, NZSA CEO Gary Morrison sought members’ assistance in promoting the awards via their networks and social media platforms. NZSM is also publishing details of each weekly winner via the www.defsec.net.nz news portal.

Nominations for the Covid-19 Guardian Award can be submitted via the NZSA website. The nomination process is easy to complete online and will takes only a few minutes.