1) How Long Does Security Guard Training Take?
A) Security guard training initially requires guards to complete course material equal to roughly eight hours of work. The coursework should cover a variety of topics including:
- Arresting individuals
- Proper and ethical restraining methods
- People’s rights
- Laws regarding private property
Guards should expect to complete this required overview coursework prior to applying for jobs. After completing this initial training, additional courses will be required once hired. Within 30 days of accepting a security guard position, and depending on the state where the guard will work, he or she will need to complete 16 hours of courses while on the job. They will also need to take an additional 16 hours of courses within 6 months of their hiring. These courses will cover everything from dealing with people carrying concealed weapons to public relations to managing potential terrorist activities. Ultimately, there are roughly 40 additional hours of training. Eight hours prior to hiring, and 32 hours after they start working.
2) Is Security Guard Training Available Online?
A). Security guard training is available to take online and in person. With online courses, make sure the provider has accreditation and is legally authorized in your state.
3) As Part of Their Training, Will Security Guards Work with Guns?
A). If he or she will be an armed security guard, they will be required to complete additional training that encompasses general firearm safety and marksmanship courses. Generally, security guards who use weapons need to have a state-issued firearm permit. Depending on the level of security required for the job location, expect that as an armed security guard, the training can potentially add months of coursework to their security education. Additionally, some states will require guards to participate in regular refresher courses to maintain a firearm permit.
4) What Are the Requirements to Begin the Security Guard Training Process?
A). While some jobs are lenient on criminal records, security guard positions are typically stringent. Even a misdemeanor offense can make it difficult to obtain employment as a security guard. Each state has its own training enrollment requirements.
5) What Skills Should a Guard Expect to Get from Training and While on the Job?
A). Security guards protect against a wide range of threats. They put their lives on the line in the same way police officers do. For that reason, expect training to deal with a wide range of potential issues. Security guards will typically learn how to deal with vandalism, trespassing, robberies, fires, and other violent and non-violent crimes. Communication is paramount in dangerous situations. For that reason, guards can expect to refine their communication skills to be clear and concise. Security guards will file reports outlining incidents that take place. These reports may include both observations and witness accounts. Training should include how to properly collect information from a crime scene without damaging the integrity of the scene, and document it in an appropriate format to assist law enforcement. These reports can become evidence materials for criminal cases, and the guard who completes the report may be required to testify about the information they provided to the court trying the case.
