[Jaenak]

I was wondering if anyone knows what education a security guard needs. I know that aspiring police officers are encouraged to get a Bachelors Degree in criminal justice but I was wondering what education is like in the security guard realm. I know the security guards at (for a random example) Target don't need anything but a short training class because they have absolutely no athority, they don't carry a gun, pepper spray or even a nightstick. However Brinks and some regular security agencies carry pistols and act more like police than they do customer greeters. With the extra responsibility, added danger of their job, possibility of shooting someone (etc.) do they need any kind of college education in that area and if so how much of what?

Thanks

[Rob87]

I'm not totally sure on this, but I remember a couple years ago that one of the armored truck companies in my area (probably Brinks or Dunbar) was offering training, paid for by the company, to any new employee. It might have only been a short-time promotional program to attract new employees, but they might still do it.

I did some quick searches on Google, and I didn't find anything that stuck out as a reputable or legitimate source, but I noticed a recurring pattern: the mention of an associates degree. Maybe a two-year degree is what you'd want to aim for.

One thing I wanted to ask you: you mention how aspiring LEOs are encouraged to get a bachelor's in CJ; is it imperative the degree be in CJ? One of my main interests is to go into law enforcement, but I'm not a CJ major, and it's likely too late for me to switch.

[FourNineFoxtrot]

Depends on where you live.

I can only tell you what California's security requirements are, as that's where I worked in Security.

In CA, you need what's called a "Guard Card", which is issues by the BSIS, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. To get a "Guard Card", you need 40 hours of training at a licensed security academy. In my five-day session, we learned about the rules and regulations of security, escalation of force, some legal basics, rudimentary familiarization with stun gun, Pepper Spray/OC, and Taser (by rudimentary, I mean "look, don't touch"), handcuffing, and so on.

I took two optional classes. One class was for Baton, an 8 hour course which taught the rules of the use of force, basic stances and strikes, etc. The other class I took was a handgun class. This class went over the very basic basics. Terminology, safety, and handling. The culmination of the class was a trip to a nearby range, where we fired to qualify.

50 round course. IIRC, it went as follows:

6 rounds at 15 yards, slow fire.
6 rounds at 10 yards.
8 rounds standing/6 rounds kneeling w/mag change at 10 yards.
6 rounds right hand at 10 yards
6 rounds left hand at 10 yards
6 rounds, rapid aimed fire, 5 yards.
6 rounds, draw and double tap, one hand, 5 yards.

All firing sets begin with draw or simulated draw from holster. Passing score is 40/50 (scored as 200 out of possible 250) on head/torso of human silhouette target. All members of my class passed. My score was the highest (of 3 shooters), at 240 (48 hits). My second time firing a pistol, ever, and first with that model. This completed the requirements for an exposed weapon permit for a security guard.

Having completed the course, I had to go to the BSIS office, pass a check to the tune of $200 or more through a bullet-resistant window in a room that looked like an often-robbed check cashing booth. I also had to get a "Lifescan" fingerprinting at the local PD. Something like four months later, BSIS finally processed my application, and I was licensed to work as an armed security guard (although, in fact, I never did carry on the job).

This course qualifies one to work in Armored Transport, which I applied for. I was ignored, not even a rejection. If you can get in, though, that's about as high speed as regular security gets. Anything higher up the food chain than that usually has military/LE experience as a prereq, whether official or not.

Edit: No college exp required. Just a clean record, and a few hundred bucks... and a few months to kill while they process you. That's how it is in this state, anyway. Also, a Guard Card is valid for two years. A Gun Card (the exposed weapon permit) is valid for one year, I think. Requals every six months. Miss a requal, and your gun card is canceled.

[kd7nqb]

I work as a security officer and here are our current listed requirments


A. DPSST Certified or ability to be Certified
(18yrs, no felonies or misdemeanors last 7yrs)

B. Reliable transportation

C. High school diploma/ GED

D. Good written and verbal skills with basic computer processing abilities

E. Must be able to work nights

F. Must have excellent customer service skills

G. Must be proactive and self motivated


Wages are Dependant on experience.

For the record the dpsst class is about 8hrs and mostly useless CYA legality stuff.

Armed guys have a more intense 2 day class and requalify every 12months.

[chris in va]

FWIW, I'm going through the application process at Loomis. So far they've had me take a couple tests, asked me a ton of questions and needed my last 7 years worth of employment records. Wednesday I take a polygraph.

No mention of any training concerning firearms. I already have my CC permit, but they said I'll be getting an armed security guard permit that is valid "in all 50 states". Apparently this allows carry in places like Chicago and NYC...

[4v50 Gary]

Every state is different. In California, private guards are regulated by the Dept. of Consumer Affairs. They have to take a basic guard course which, if they pass the background, can work as an unarmed guard. There's a separate course for firearms, baton and mace. The Dept. of Consumer Affairs doesn't recognize CA POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training) for purposes of guard certification.

[bogie]

I was wondering if anyone knows what education a security guard needs.

"Make your x here."

[CajunBass]

Back when I was doing it a long time ago, you basically had to have a pulse. Things might be different now. There was some company provided training but it was as stated above, mostly designed to make sure if you screwed up, the company was covered. AFAIK, there was no educational requirement, but the people I worked with could read and write. You did have to have a clean background, and pass a lie detector test I remember and we got fingerprinted.

The armed guard requirements were a bit higher, and we did have to qualify, but the course was so simple that you'd almost have to shoot yourself in the foot to flunk. And a lot did (flunk, not shoot themselves in the foot.). IIRC, the course of fire was 25 rounds total at 7, 15 (ten each) and 25 (5). You were allowed another 25 "practice" shots first. Back then it was all 38 revolvers, no speed-loaders, and RNL ammo only. I was however issued a really nice Colt revolver, (I forget the particular model now) with Pachmeyer grips, and a Sam Brown belt and holster and six rounds of RNL ammo. (I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but my revolver always had LSWCHP ammo in it for some reason.)

I'm sure it also depended on what you'd be quarding. I mostly worked unarmed stuff at truck terminals, and factories where most of the work was checking employee badges, and logging trucks in and out, checking the seals on the trailers, and walking the "route" and punching the watchclock. We were supposed to check for safety hazards, potential fires, evidence of employee theft, that kind of thing.

I did work at a grocery store for a while. (Armed) We had a guard killed when a couple of kids came in to rob the place, spotted him standing in the guard shack door, and walked up and shot him dead. They then panicked and ran. I got called to work in his place the next day. There was a bullet hole still in the door frame.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Not really on topic, but in response to one of the OPs statements; I've heard from a number of LEOs in my Guard unit that a CJ degree is actually kinda worthless if you want to become a LEO.

Any LEOs on here want to debunk/support that?

[mjb]

I work as a armed security officer. I have state certification from Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). Also have certification for weapons taken at a vocational school certified under OPOTA. Also have OSHA certification, as well as other certificates. I am working on an associates degree in Criminal Justice. Unfortunately, most security guards don't have to have much education. Most just watch a few videos from the company they work for and that is it.

[gunsmith]

my 1st instructor, also teaches fed protective service, he was a great teacher 2nd teacher taught in the police academy and really knew the law inside and out. It was an expensive but very worthwhile course, on the otherhand some of the guys I worked with had no clue and I have no idea how they got past the test.

I learned a great deal from these courses, I wouldn't recommend armed transport to anyone, I've done it and they expect you to take a bullet before you can even clear leather.

[MilsurpShooter]

Sorry to ruin your stereotype Bogie but no it's not that simple in some states

New York State requirements

Background check and fingerprinting
High School Diploma or GED required
16 hour pre-requisite course
48 hour after hire training (Either an actual class or on the job)

After you get your NYS issued ID card (Comes from the DMV) it's valid for two years. Once the 2 year period is up you have to take a mandatory 8 hour refresher course, a 16 hour refresher or on the job training and pay a renewal fee.

This is all for a standard guard license. If you'd like to go the armed route add in another 24 hour Firearm safety pre-requisite and one following that each time you renew.

Again it's dependant on state and company. I've been doing security since 2003 and have seen a fair share of companies, both good and bad. Certain ones just look for bodies to fill space, while others are actually in the buisiness to hire quality people and... Well "Secure" things. I was fortunate enough to get into a decent company just as they were starting out, given me good training and advantages. I'm trained in AED devices, CPR, pepper spray, stun guns, bomb threats and evacuation, plus OSHA rules and regulations. Also quite handy in Excel and Powerpoint thanks to scheduling and presentations. Sadly, people don't think of me or several other of the guards I'm responsible for here when they think security, they think guy asleep or reading a newspaper at a desk. Also note that stores who employ security get what they pay for. You're not going to get much work from a guy being paid minimum wage. I did a consulting job for a "Wal-Mart" of all places on how to better the security. Told them to stop rotating them out of the employee pool and dedicate a few of them to just that job. They didn't care for that much because that would mean having them do just one job perish the thought.

Also, in some police agencies a Bachelors is now a requirement. At least in lower New York the NYPD, State Troopers and most towns and municipalities require 60 college credits. White Plains and the Westchester County police are the only two that spring to mind that do not have this requirement.

[Jorg]

Jay, I was curious about the NYS requirements and looked them up. They don't seem to jive with your listed requirements. Have they been changed recently?

This page (http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/guardfaq.html) states: Generally speaking, applicants must be 18 years of age, have completed an 8-hour pre-assignment training course, and have not been convicted of a serious criminal offense.

And this page (http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ops/sgtraining/sgpcourses.htm) lists the 8 hour course, 16 hours of OJT and a 8 hour annual refresher. It also mentioned a 47 hour firearms course instead of 24 and a 3 hour refresher annual for that. Is that correct? 3 days of training certainly doesn't sound like much of a chance to learn all the legal issues, let alone the daily ins and outs.

[Cougfan2]

All you need to know about security guard training can be learned by googling Gecko45. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. :evil:

[MilsurpShooter]

I could have been mistaken then. I was going off the process that I went through with the 2 security companies I was employed with, guess I assumed too much and figured it was standard lol :o

As far as the firearms training, that, back when I was hired, was a 24 hour course, at least I'm pretty sure of it. Also take into account that the listed OTJ training section is what the state mandates. I've yet to see a place that has less then a one week OTJ training course and a 90 day probationary period... But again my field has been corporate security. First training on my first job was a 3 week process with written tests. Then there was the alarm code and location tests (Shudder, that wasn't fun lol) Place I'm currently working has a 2 week training period. I've been lucky with my places of employment so far so I guess I am a bit biased into the corporate side of this job

Dangit, now I'm second guessing myself, been 4 years since I had to read this stuff, let me look it over and double check lol

[mp510]

Connecticut:
http://www.ct.gov/dps/lib/dps/special_licensing_and_firearms/administrative_procedures_for_registering_and_termination_investigators_&_security_officers.pdf

This is information about becoming an instructor. It describes the curriculum for the "Blue Car" (security guard carry endorsement) course.
http://www.ct.gov/dps/lib/dps/special_licensing_and_firearms/security_firearms_instructor_request_package.pdf

[MilsurpShooter]

Just got off the phone with the HR guy, asked him a few things on how the state requirements meet with company requirements.

Unfortunately, there are a few fly by night companies that go no further then the state required minimums as put forth in the links you posted Jorg. He even reffered me to one or two of them who I put calls into asking what the minimum requirements are. Thing I gathered from many of them is I wouldn't want to hire them to protect a toothbrush.

I'd like to apologize to those who read my comments, I didn't take the time to double check. I was going on personal experience and what I've had to do and what I've told others they have had to do as far as a specific company.

It would appear that the High School diploma isn't a New York State requirement, this I didn't even know. I've not talked to a company or interviewed one who hadn't asked for a copy of my diploma

Sitting here and looking at how lax certain companies could be when left by themselves... Yeah, it has me kind of worried

I guess it's more of a Company vs. State thing. You have a fly by night company that just wants a person not caring who or what they can do... Or you have companies that I've been fortunate to work with and consult for that look for people and help them better themselves

Again, apologies if I confused anyone with what I thought were the facts without checking them properly.

[M60]

I'm in the Private Security industry, although not a security gard. I am a State of Oregon DPSST Alarm Monitor instructor and Supervisory Manager.

The requirements for Security work vary greatly from state to state. I'm sure your state has a web site that lists all the requirements (if they are regulated at all) for security work.

Mark.

[Darthbauer]

It all depends on what company you go with. I live in California and was a guard about a year ago. Most companies will train you and you can get your guard card through them. As for schooling HSD or GED. Hate to say it but when I was working and am still around the guards alot of them are stupid as all hell. The old company that I worked for seemed to give a job to anyone. We were constantly having to send guards back to the main office because they were just wrong for the post. Like they didnt know how to use the computer to check in and out visitors or they got caught looking at gay porn by clients, which happened. Or the one guy that they sent us that was roid raging like crazy.

[Ala Dan]

REQUIREMENTS:

a) Walk with a limp
b) Have a BIG chew of tobacco
c) Speak softly
d) Have flunked the 7th grade
e) and carry a big stick (Laughing Loudly :D :D :D)

Anyone Qualify~?

_________________________________________________________________

Quite honestly, I don't know what the requirements for a SO are here in AL~!:eek:

[Darthbauer]

Or the crack head they sent us from the 909 that picked a fight with a client.

[JerryM]

I have a good friend who is retired, and joined the NM Mounted Patrol years ago. He got a lot of training, and took additional training on his own. He actually has more training than most LEOs.

I mention this because if one was thinking of becoming a security guard he might investigate such organizations as the Mounted Patrol in his state, and determine what training he would need and get thru them. That would be a good start to becoming a well trained Security Guard.

Best,
Jerry

[boalex207]

Depends on where you live.

In Tennessee, 4 (four) hours of training for an Unarmed Guard Card.

Jumps way up :rolleyes: to 16 hours to go Armed.

[gunman42782]

I have worked Security for many years, and in KY they will hire about anybody that does not have a record and has a high school diploma or GED. If you carry a gun you must be 21 and qualify on the range, but that is about it.

[hoji]

In Texas, to be commissioned{armed} you must pass a 30 hour class and a firearm proficiency exam. Read all about it here http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/

I am an instructor for the Level III {commission class} in Texas.

It really does depend on your state.

[Josh Aston]

Bachelor's in CJ is about worthless. All the jobs that actually require you to have a degree want it in something other than CJ.