Proper Training is Critical for Security Officer Effectiveness
By Larry Loesch

Did you ever notice how everyone needs training? The new clerk at the grocery store needs to learn how to use the register properly. Community colleges and local community centers across the country offer basic computer courses from how to turn on a computer to how to build a web page. Even my DVD player came with an instruction manual. The point is we all need training to begin an unknown or unfamiliar task. Regardless of the situation at hand, every training model teaches core strengths to each person attempting to obtain the same outcome - be it using the cash register or computer, learning a new skill or just using a daily household device.

Unfortunately, not all training models are as widely accepted, simply taught or executed as these. In an industry that protects both human lives and billions of dollars worth of equipment, information and infrastructure, security officer services need to have universally accepted standards that dictate what successful security officer course work should do, such as educate, and measure and reward performance. These simply do not exist. The security industry lacks a shared benchmark for training quality and trainee performance. Trade organizations, legislators, regulators, unions and the media are debating the feasibility of proposed minimum training hours. However, I don’t know that hours alone will assure an officer’s understanding of important security principles. Training is also a very important component of a prolific security service offering, and a good indicator of a successful security officer.

Security officer training is so deregulated that according to the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) there are no federal laws regulating private security. Additionally, ten states have absolutely no regulations for security officers, 29 states, including Washington D.C., do not require any training. 16 states do not conduct criminal background checks and virtually no states have standards or regulations for the approximately 400,000 proprietary or contact security officers working nationwide.

Scary, right? Given that officers today must master a variety of skills, it is critical that industry leaders agree on a quantitative standard for security training. We need to assure that all officers, both proprietary and contract, are certified to perform the duties for which they have been employed by an independent organization. Just as important is that security officers are given incentives to further their education. Just as many other types of professionals can take courses to improve their job-related skills, it is just as vital, if not more so, that security officers constantly and consistently work at improving their performance through means like a standardized training module.

Universally accepted training standards for security officers can and should include many things. For instance, a successful security officer should be trained extensively at the site in which they will be working. Such training may include after-hours access, opening and closing procedures, electrical emergencies, bomb threats, parking and enforcement, parking lot security, emergency contacts, patrol routes, post responsibilities, fire alarm response, identification checks, water leaks, mechanical emergencies, weather emergencies, medical emergencies, and media relations.

In addition to the importance of on-site training, a successful security training program should consist of different measurable levels of training, from basic officer instruction to more in-depth courses that push officers to continually progress their careers forward and upward.

Along with initial instruction, on-the-job and measurable levels of training, successful security officers should be receiving specialized site-specific training based on the type of site that the officer will be working at - i.e. residencies, shopping centers, high-rise buildings, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, manufacturing and industrial, and government facilities. Further training can include CPR, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and vehicle patrol, just to mention a few. Beyond classroom and hands-on training, on-line course work can also be a good means to refresh security officers on materials, further advance themselves on new security related offerings and training that don’t necessarily require classroom time or applied experience.

For the industry, such universally standardized training measures would enhance long-term career potential and attract self-motivated employees. Officers who devote time to studying and being tested on professional curricula would be more likely to perceive security as a career rather than just a job. Certified officers would be better prepared for real-life scenarios, and better positioned for promotions, higher compensation, added respect and a greater professional sense of accomplishment.

The security industry has an obligation to train our officers who protect buildings and people across the country. Security companies then have the role and responsibility to go above and beyond standard regulations in order to distinguish themselves from everyone else.

We all need to continually learn to keep up on the “latest and greatest” if we are to succeed at what we are trying to accomplish, especially when it comes to securing the workplace to the best of our ability through training officers above and beyond what is expected, or hopefully, one day, regulated.

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