Any Security Officers on this site?

Sadly, the training is quite sub-par to be honest. In CA, firearm permit requires semi-annual re-quals to remain active. My process of getting licensed taught straight basics. Anyone with half a brain could do this stuff. Even the companies I have worked for failed to provide adequate training.

Luckily, I got my training and experience from several LEOs who I work with and are close friends of mine. Taught me all the things that matter like officer safety skills, handcuffing techniques, take-down tactics, and all this type of stuff. Basically a crash course police academy. I have more knowledge than a vast majority of PSO's and that's scary to be honest. PSOs should be trained more.

The only downfall I see to the things I have learned is I tend to approach situations like a LEO would vs how a PSO is trained to since I was taught by LEOs. This is great for me for officer safety and experience is concerned, but it pushes the legal boundaries of what PSOs are taught. I'll tend to be more liberal in the deployment of my firearm or Taser in the same manner a normal Leo would, but security is trained to be extremely conservative with this. Its almost as if PSO training tries to scare you into not ever touching your weapon which is stupid.

Because of the EP work, I have lots of additional training and experience, but overall I think the vast majority of people who are hired for normal observe and report type posts such as malls and shopping centers are undertrained. I know I was way back when I first started out. Maybe not true for everyone, but this is the way I saw it knowing what I know now.

 

Wow I think that's a great requirement. Might become annoying for those who are normal people, but it helps to at least sort out some of these more unstable folks like we continue to see in the news. These people are really messing it up for the rest of us law abiding citizens. Anyways that's a whole different topic though.

I'd hate to have to take a psych eval, but I almost wish we were required too. I've worked with a few people who I felt unsafe on patrol with

 

Wow that's it? In Cali we have 40 hours for security only. 16 additional for a firearm plus range time. And then between 8-16 hours additional each for things such as baton, OC, CPR, etc. I think its like 20+ hours for a taser plus deployments. I forget exactly. Firearm requires 6 month requals and a 8 or 16 hour refresher course every 2 years upon renewal.

 

Yeah, each state is different. I can only imagine what NY and IL are, seeing how they have pretty strict gun laws.

 

Yeah I know right. That's crazy

 

yep it was. and thats funny as hell!

i can see how like security for AMA or Golden globes would make some damn good money. I’m hoping to get my HCP(it’s called handgun carry permit here, since we can CC or OC loaded) i need to get a gun and stuff first.

 

No distinction between the two in California.
The distiction is in the level of training and permits.

Balls are to be kept in your pants not your hands.
Guns are a defensive stratagy or a deterent for escalation.

http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/guard_fact.shtml

Just wearing a uniform has a psychological effect on people.
Even the people wearing them.
You have to come to the conclusion that you make the uniform, an that the uniform does not make you.
A gun is part of that uniform, they are both implements of the trade.
Knowledge is the greatest implement in any trade, and you gather that through training and experience.

I'm not trying to write a book here but you probably get the idea.
If you have ever been in the military or raised by military standards
It would come naturally to you. "discipline"

I could get into the symbology and esoterics of the trade but I'll stop here.

 

We get unlimited range time and ammunition. The state says you have to qualify once a year, but our company makes you qualify once a quarter on top of the state requirement. Along with quarterly firearms, we have to take "Continuing Ed" classes on stuff like CPR/First Aid, Hazardous Material, and e list goes on...

What do you mean the laws involving our guns? Like where I can and can't carry? As a supervisor, I can, in uniform openly carry anywhere I want to (excluding things like court houses and whatnot) as long as I am either on the clock, or on my way to or from work. If I'm on the clock, I can go into lets say the mall to get lunch while carrying.

Or do you mean shoot/no shoot scenarios, when to draw, stuff like that? Cause that's kinda built in to the quarterlys.

Also, to be armed with my company, you have to have either LEO experience, or a college degree (an AA, BS, or academy fufills this) in a related field, two years with the company, and verifiable firearms experience.

 

State laws regarding use of force, etc. It sounds like your company has it all covered; avoids the negligence lawsuits.

 

My company has the uniform, but the client I work for requested we not wear them, our work shirt is a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, Docker kayak pants, and Rockport shoes.

 

Here in Va you have to go through unarmed before going though armed. Armed is 60hours minimum, And you MUST have arrest authority to be armed. No exceptions. There is the basic standard shooting course under VA DCJS, but Depending on the company, they can have a MUCH more difficult standard if it is approved by VA DCJS. That standard here is the difference between an armed officer making 16 per hour with no benefits and 25 per hour starting with full health coverage, paid vacation, retirement, and school fund.

The company I work for the minimum to qualify with handgun is 210. The max is 250. I score around 235-242 consistently depending on the day and the weapon. Our company requires every 6 months re-qual (per fed gov)

 

That's club or resort wear,
you could have members only jackets or
windbreakers silkscreened with the word "SECURITY" on the back.

 

Yeah, i get told that a lot. But I don't wear anything that says security, our jackets don't even say that. The house i work out is as big as a resort if that helps

 

Join the Coast Guard for experience...........no better experience reference can be found!!!!!!

 

Is CBP (customs and border protection) and Border Patrol not the same thing cuz I sure thought it was

 

Ahh. Got it. Learn something new every day.

 

Well since this is a PSO thread, what kind of gear do you all carry? Nylon or Leather? Pics of your duty belt setups? Just for fun