How To Become A Surveillance Officer
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Prevent Cheating and Theft In a Casino as a Surveillance Officer
Also known as a gaming surveillance officer or agent, casinos or other places where gambling takes place are where you will generally find a surveillance officer. They are also sometimes hired by the federal government to keep an eye on the casinos themselves to ensure legitimate practice. The role of a surveillance officer is essential, because in a gambling environment, temptation runs rampant and people are more likely to try to cheat the system, and with more states legalizing gambling and adding more casinos, there is an expected increase in the demand for these officers compared to other careers in criminal justice. The Us Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that the average salary of a gaming officer is about $26,000, but that can be higher at the more prestigious casinos where there is more competition. To be considered for the best jobs, be sure to obtain as much relevant training as possible.
Training Recommendations
There aren't a lot of educational requirements to work in this field, but having a high school diploma or GED is mandatory. With higher competition for the best jobs, it is also recommended to obtain a 2 year associates degree in criminal justice to be offered more opportunities. Your criminal justice degree can be obtained online at the University of Phoenix Online or Liberty University Online offer associates degree or even bachelors degree programs, which can be useful for career advancement and management opportunities. In some cases, it would also be essential to have at least a year of surveillance experience to gain access to the higher paying jobs. The more training you get, the better your chances are, so prepare ahead.
Job Duties
Maintaining a safe and fair gambling environment is the main role of a surveillance officer. They will observe players and practices to ensure that there is no cheating, stealing and that there is complete adherence to the casino rules. They may also watch the casinos to see that they meet state laws. To do this, they make use of a lot of high tech equipment, like facial recognition software, surveillance equipment and audio recording. They may also have catwalks above the casinos to observe the action, and two way mirrors to have more access. Some surveillance officers also act as security guards in order to be able to keep a closer watch on things without being too obvious, and others will need to be situated at the tables themselves to have firsthand exposure. Being a surveillance officer means being quick, paying attention to details and always having your hand on the heart of the action.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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