Contract Security

[Gunblade]

I'm going to apply for my first security officer position.

My choices are:

a mall (allied burton)
A department store (proprietary)
A contract firm (securitas) *most likely*

How are they normally run?
What kind of training do they give/require?

Any other thoughts?

 

[skidmark]

Where are you located? Check your state laws for the curriculum for security officer certification/licensing. Most states have different levels for unarmed vs armed officer. Some companies pay for your training, others will refund expenses after a certain time of continuous employment (6 months to 1 year is usual).

Having BTDT I encourage you to look at the benefits package offered more than the hourly wage. You can lose more $$ paying for health care services than you get with a higher wage if the package is not minimally decent.

One last thought - "Observe and Report" means just that. Anything else gets you membership in the Frayernity of Mall Ninjas.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[VaughnT]

What are your qualifications? Why do you want to be a security guard? What does this line of work offer that others don't?

Security officers/guards are some of the most denigrated people out there, and they have, by and large, earned that low standing in our society. There is a reason they are refered to as "Barney Fifes".

I spent several years working in the armored car business. I've seen the whole gambit as far as coworkers were concerned, and I have rarely been impressed.

Generally speaking, armed positions pay higher. This might be only a dollar, but it's something. Armed guards are not sharper or more professional than unarmed guards.

Think long and hard about it. There's a very good reason that I don't work in the industry any more, and the only type of security I would even consider were I to re-enter that pool, is nuclear security at the generating station.

 

[whitefeather]

Try pest control. You get to kill all you want and no one will sue.

Seriously, if I wanted to make my living while "carrying", I'd go for the real deal by taking criminal law courses and becoming a cop. Skip right on past the security guard stuff and go for it if that's what you want.

 

[kd7nqb]

I am a security officer in Oregon. There are a lot of myths out there and if you PM me I would be more than glad to give you all the info you want. But here is a quick run down.

1. Is more boring than anything you have ever done, for me I like the solitude but its pretty dull most if not all the time
2. You will generally find yourself being more paranoid
3. I am at the point where I almost hope something happens to prove my training
4. I was amased at how much training I went through and how little I have had to utilize it.

Feel free to PM me if you want more details.

 

[LAK]

I've worked in the private sector for ten years in Texas. PM me if you are located here.

--------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Manedwolf]

I find it somewhat amusing that the single guard at Target has...handcuffs, and that's it.

I hope they're for show. But if I ever see one trying to cuff a shoplifter, I'll pull out my phone in video mode and record it, because the hilarity and/or flailing-with-metal-on-one-wrist pummeling that ensues would definitely be worthy of YouTube.

 

[Abby]

Some of the setups aren't bad. A suggestion based on MY experience...

I'm not sure where you're located, but I once spent about 18 months working as security guard for a private company, guarding federal buildings. The pay was VASTLY better than our counterparts who were not working federal contracts.

We were ALL veterans, reservists, retired cops or young folks who'd completed the state program to become cops and were trying to get hired. There was ONE mall-ninja, but every job needs comic relief.

Our training certainly wasn't equivalent to joining the FBI, but it was severral days of first-aid and use-of-force. Not bad.

So moral of the story - look around. And if hire you on with a company, after a while, you can always ask if they run any contracts that pay more. It's worth a shot.

Edited to add: I see you mentioned a department store. Unlike conventional security guarding, this could offer you some eventual advancement into the company's loss prevention department. You don't mention where you're at in life, but if this isn't a "filler job," looking at what's down the road with it may be a good idea.

 

[Lonestar]

I had a brief stint in retail security. Its a dead end job with little advancement . If its just a gig to make some money until you find something better, then go for it. If you want a job in law enforcement, working a detail with a 3 man rapid assault team in the largest mall in the world will mean very little on a LEO application. Steer clear from the criminal elements, and the cop wannabees.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Allied-Barton...

I work in the private security sector. I've worked in the career field for about 18 yrs. I had a supervisor position with the local Allied-Barton office for 6 weeks. I did not care for the mgmt and policies of the company. Allied-Barton does not pay very well but puts itself at a high standard. The company has strict training/hiring standards but does not treat the employees at the same level. The company like Wackenhut and other major security firms can't maintain their security contracts and must sub-contract to smaller security companies that either have lower or no real standards at all. If I were you I would look into armed security jobs or low level/entry level public safety jobs in your area. The pay and benefits maybe higher or better. The working conditions and careers maybe better too.

www.firstgov.gov www.usajobs.opm.gov www.lawenforcementjobs.com www.hotjobs.com .

Rusty

 

[Ala Dan]

Listen Up~!

These guy's got knowledge~! You can add NORRED too the
growing list of under paid, low benefits package security company's.

 

[Justin]

Not really gun related.