A port security officer is in charge of inspecting cargo, protecting passengers, and preventing terrorists and other criminals from crossing international borders. In most cases, government agencies pay port security personnel. Security officers are sometimes full-time national or regional government employees, while other times, government agencies hire private security companies to provide port security.
Major international ports are visited ships from all over the world. Even if some of the cargo is not to be unloaded at that location, a port security officer must inspect the paperwork that details the cargo on each ship that passes through the ports. Typically, cargo ships transport large metal containers containing large quantities of goods. An on-board inspection, which may include opening and searching cargo containers, can be conducted a port security officer. Such searches are intended to detect the movement of illegal goods such as weapons or drugs, as well as quantities of goods that shipping companies may try to unload without paying the required customs taxes.
Terrorists and other fugitives have been known to attempt international border crossings at ports. As a result, security personnel are in charge of checking the passports and driver’s licenses of ship crew and passengers. Security officers patrol major ports in many cases to ensure that only crew members and paying passengers have access to the boats and cargo. A port security officer may collaborate with government agencies and share information about terrorist or criminal activity that is suspected. Security officers in some countries must cross-reference passenger and personnel lists with watch lists of known criminals.
While many port security officers are stationed on land, others patrol the harbor boat. They are usually in charge of ensuring that smugglers and other criminals do not make illegal dockside drops or transgressions into sovereign waters. In addition, some ports employ airborne security officers who patrol the port’s surroundings in helicopters or light aircraft. The patrol officers communicate with those who work in the control centers. Unidentified boats and marine vessels that are tracked radar or sonar may be alerted to patrol officers dispatchers in the control center.
A port security officer could be a police officer, a member of the coast guard, or even a member of the armed forces. Some governments hire officers solely to protect ports, while others arrange for local law enforcement officers to handle port security in addition to their other inland responsibilities. Many ports are owned and operated the government, and some governments contract with large security firms to provide security at multiple ports. In-house security personnel are frequently employed privately owned ports, though these individuals must typically pass some sort of government-mandated screening process.