The Many Benefits of Security Training

The need for trained and licensed security officers has never been greater. There are now more than two licensed security officers for every sworn law enforcement officer. This trend is expected to increase over the next decade as more and more licensed security officers will be needed to fill in the gaps left by traditional law enforcement agencies in the wake of budget cutbacks and layoffs. For those willing to get the proper security training, the opportunity has never been greater.

Nearly all states require security officers to be licensed and to pass a criminal background check before they will be permitted to legally work. Many states also have mandatory security training requirements which can include classroom training and testing. The good news for anyone who wants to become a security officer is that the training requirements to get a security guard license are not particularly time consuming or expensive. In the worst case scenario, your state might require you take a two day training course that will cost you a couple of hundred dollars to complete and get a license.

Next to on the job experience, one of the best way for a security officer to get a better job and to earn a higher salary is by getting additional security training. Here is a list of some of the more popular types of security training and the benefits of each:

Basic security guard license training. These courses tend to cover the basics every new guard is expected to know including most often “Powers to Arrest” training. While most states require officers to be licensed and to pass a background check, not all require an introductory training course. The best way to find out what your own state’s requirements is to identify the name of the state agency that issues security guard licenses and to call them. If you are required to undergo a training course, most courses can be completed in one or two days at a nominal cost. Do be aware though that many states will require to take additional follow-up training courses after you get your license.

Weapons and firearms training. All states require armed guards to hold a firearms permit and to pass a certified training course. The big advantage is that armed guards typically earn about two dollars more per hour than unarmed guards. Some states also have training and permit requirements for handcuff, baton, taser and pepper spray use.

CPR Training. While few employers require their security officers to get it, having Red Cross CPR training certification certainly does look good on a resume and can give you an advantage over the competition when applying for a job.

Other types of general security training. While the following types of training are elective in most states, it is always a benefit to be as knowledgeable as possible particularly if you want to advance to a supervisor or management position:

• Anti-Terrorism & WMD Awareness
• Crowd Control
• Dealing with Workplace Violence
• Following Post Orders & Assignments
• Handling Difficult People
• Officer Safety
• Security Administration
• Security Communications
• Security Liability & Legal Issues
• Writing Incident Reports