Each year, the Securitas North America Division honors two exceptional Security Officers who go above and beyond in their service. Two awards are given—one to an officer who distinguishes themselves with consistently high performance and the other to an officer for heroic actions while performing their duties. These prestigious awards are the highest honor conferred on security officers in the Securitas North America Division, and it’s to recognize officers who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, courage, and professionalism in their work. Learn more about us and our commitment to security excellence.
This year’s recipients were Darrian Hardy and Donald Brown —their actions earned them the heroism and performance award. Let’s take a closer look at their remarkable contributions.
Darrian Hardy – heroism award
Security Officer Darrian Hardy’s heroic actions on the morning of July 8, 2023, led to the rescue of a woman held against her will at the hotel where he is assigned. When Darrian responded to a noise complaint, his investigation uncovered a chilling scene—he discovered that the woman was being kept in the room by a wanted criminal.
Upon arriving at the scene, Darrian found a panicked woman who was able to confide in him that she was being held hostage. Darrian immediately contacted law enforcement and hotel management. When the police arrived, Darrian followed post orders to provide support to help gain access to the room. Despite the obstacles, including a locked door and a security latch preventing entry, Darrian’s quick thinking and persistence helped effect the successful rescue of the woman and the arrest of her captor.
Donald Brown – performance award
Security Officer Donald Brown has been a cornerstone of his client site for 19 years, and 14 of those years have been with Securitas USA. His dedication to his work and his client has helped earn him not only the trust of his colleagues but also the admiration of the local community. Donald is so closely associated with the site that his image is part of a mural near the client!
Donald’s service excellence is reflected in the positive feedback from clients and the community. Praised for his professionalism, attention to detail, and approachable nature, his presence helps deter unauthorized activity and helps contribute to a safe and secure environment. Beyond his work, Donald is dedicated to helping the local unhoused population by connecting them with resources, balancing empathy with security expertise to foster trust and safety in the community.
Security Officer of the Year: What it takes to be nominated and recognized
When it comes to selecting nominees for the Security Officer of the Year awards, there’s emphasis on the importance of tangible, impactful actions consistent with post orders and strong communications skills. The defining moment often comes down to a critical decision made during a high-stress, non-routine situation, such as a medical emergency. It’s about the ability to act decisively, potentially saving lives. The greatest candidates are those who demonstrate not just good performance, but exceptional value in their role as well.
To gain deeper insights into what it truly takes to earn such an honor, two experienced leaders within Securitas USA share their thoughts: Dwayne Gulsby, Central Atlantic Region President, and Virginia Hidalgo, Pacific Region Director of Training. Both have had the privilege of seeing officers from their regions receive this title, and their perspectives shed light on the qualities, actions and impact of these recognitions.
The impact of recognition on morale and client relationships
The effect of these awards on morale is profound, especially at the closer level to clients and officers. Dwayne highlighted the excitement that spreads within the region whenever an officer wins the award or even gets nominated. When an officer from his region wins, it is not just a win for the company but for the entire customer relationship.
"The closer you get to the actual client site, the greater the morale and excitement," he explains. "There’s a lot of excitement and appreciation not just from the officer, but from the client themselves. There’s a lot of pride when an officer wins—it’s a win for everyone involved.” This recognition isn’t just about the officer—it’s about the whole team, the branch, and the company. And when an officer is nominated, even if they don’t win, there is a tangible sense of appreciation for their contributions.”
Similarly, Virginia emphasizes the impact of these awards on client relationships, citing the celebratory lunch with Donald Brown and his client, where the client’s recognition highlights the deep value officers like Donald bring to their operations.
“Recognition like this helps us solidify that relationship with the client. When an officer is recognized for years of outstanding service, it cements our bond with the client... it serves as an anchor of a positive client relations interactions.”
Building a culture of recognition and support: the power of leadership and consistency
At Securitas USA, recognizing outstanding officers goes beyond the award. For Dwayne, seeing an officer nominated for the award brings a strong sense of pride. It’s not just about the recognition but about seeing that the officers who consistently perform well are given the attention they deserve. “We tend to lose focus on the people that go out there every single day and do a wonderful job for us... but these are the people that are out there servicing our customers every single day and we don’t spend a lot of time on focusing on those people who are doing a great job for us, that’s why this is so important. It is to make sure we recognize the good people out there.”
Virginia echoes this in the role leadership plays in creating a supportive and empowering environment for officers. It is important to help provide leadership with the tools and resources they need to create a culture where officers feel empowered to perform at their best because they want to. The Security Officer of the Year award, while a significant honor, is just one piece of a larger picture of ongoing recognition and support that helps drive excellence across the organization. Explore our training programs that help employees grow their careers.
More than just an award —a culture of excellence
The Security Officer of the Year awards highlight the best in security—those who show incredible courage and those who consistently excel in their everyday work. Officers like Darrian Hardy and Donald Brown set the bar for what it means to be dedicated to security and service. Their heroism and performance help exemplify the highest standards of Securitas NA and remind us of all of the crucial role security officers play in helping to keep our communities safe.
Dwayne’s lasting thoughts underscore the importance of never losing focus on the individuals who form the backbone of the organization. “We can never lose focus on who truly is important in the organization—that’s the men and women who put on the uniform every day. Everyone in this company has a role to support those officers in being successful. Without them, we don't succeed.”
Congratulations to all who were nominated. Stay updated with the latest news and stories.
