Joannie Hall

I attribute my success to my keen observation skills and trusting my instincts. I notice things that others wouldn't really notice at all - a regular civilian wouldn't even look at situations that I can see developing. I can spot when someone might do something, rob someone, attempt to steal, or assault someone. People tell me all the time that they appreciate how keen I am at seeing things before they happen. It's not just about watching - it's about trusting what God is telling me through my instincts. When those little hairs on the back of your neck stand up, they're not standing up for nothing. I always tell people to trust their instincts and observe whatever it is that's making those hairs stand up. That's what I do, and it's led to preventing serious crimes and keeping people safe. My ability to stay observant, maintain a strong command presence, and never question my abilities while on duty - that's what makes me successful in this field.

The first thing I tell women entering security is to trust your instincts. Those little hairs on the back of your neck don't stand up for nothing, and when they do, you need to observe that situation more. As women in this industry, we face more challenging interactions with people - you're always tested, always questioned about your position. Especially when it comes to assailants we're in contact with, they don't see that you can be a threat, so you have to really stand your ground in the security field. You're not considered someone that they would take serious, so you have to put 100% of your focus on what you're doing. Be observant and be respectful along the way, because that earns you more respect from others. The worst thing you can do is question your abilities while you're on duty. You have to be mentally there with a strong command presence, because a vagrant or an assailant can pick up on fear or uncertainty just as quick as you can. We put ourselves on the line when it comes to our safety, and they look at us as a wedge between what they want, so you're a threat to them anyway. Never sleep on the job - you don't want to wake up dead. And always pray and put God first before you start your day.

The biggest challenges I see, especially for women in security, are the constant testing and questioning we face. We have more challenging interactions with people - you're always tested, always questioned about your position. When it comes to assailants we're in contact with, they don't see that you can be a threat, so you're not considered someone they would take serious. You have to really stand your ground and put 100% of your focus on what you're doing. Another major challenge is that we're looked at as a wedge between what criminals want, so we're automatically a threat to them. Whether they're trying to steal something or get away with something, we put ourselves on the line for our safety. We're not police officers, but they see us that way. The worst thing you can do in this field is question your abilities while you're on duty, because if you're afraid or not mentally there, you will be overtaken in any situation. I've been offered higher positions three times, but the pay increase isn't significant enough, so there's also the challenge of compensation not matching the level of responsibility and risk we take on.

The most important value to me is protection and putting others' safety first. I've always been protective - it's just who I am with my kids, their friends, and even people I don't know. I'm not about being the only one who gets hurt before someone else does, and it's not a hero complex - I just don't feel comfortable allowing somebody else to get hurt when I'm visibly able to stop it. That doesn't feel right to me. Faith is also central to everything I do - the first thing I do every single day is make sure I pray and put God first. I trust what God is telling me through my instincts, and that guides my decision-making. Being observant and mentally present is crucial - I give 100% of my focus to what I'm doing when I'm on duty. Respect is important too, both giving it and earning it, because that's how you build trust with the people you're protecting. I also believe in being an example and a role model, especially when training others, because whatever they do is going to reflect on what I've trained them on. At the end of the day, it takes a neighborhood to protect a building, and I believe in helping others stay safe by sharing advice and being vigilant.