Online Security Guard Training and Career Center

What to Look for In a Security Guard Training Course

Security Guard on subway – Bangkok (Photo credit: Sailing “Footprints: Real to Reel” (Ronn ashore))

Once you understand what is involved in the duties of a security guard and have decided that this is the career that you wish to embark on you are ready to start looking at different security guard training courses. There are many different courses available so you will have to think carefully about which course is right for you.

Since you have done your research on the different types of security guard jobs you likely have already decided what kind of security guard you would like to be. If you haven’t you should think about htis first because most security guard courses are targeted on a particular field. You will have to decide if you need to take a security guard training course for armed or unarmed guards. No matter what kind of training course for security guards you choose though you will find that there is both mental and physical training involved.

One of the most important factors of any security guard course is that it should be certified. Online you may come across many security guard training classes but not all of them will be certified and that means that your certification would not be valid. Make sure the course is certified and approved by security guard employers nationwide.

In security guard positions you will often have to man a check point and patrol a building or a set of buildings. Sometimes your patrol duties will be done on foot and other times you will have a vehicle at your disposal. The security guard training class that you take should have classroom instruction on this type of work, as well as practical simulations. You might even have the chance to work with a training guard on site as part of your studies.

Some security guard jobs involve monitoring of electronic equipment like video camera, alarms, and other high-tech devices. It is important that any security guard course that you choose includes teaching you how to use such technical equipment. Other technology that security guards use will help them to notify medical responders, fire responders, and police response centers.

There is more to a security guard’s job than just patrolling and monitoring though. The security guard might come across many different types of people during the course of work and it is critical that a security guard is able to communicate effectively. Delicate situations may be encountered and these are the times when good communication skills are most important. Security guards must be able calm people that are over-excited or angry, get information from people, and relay important information when speaking with responders.

Incidence Reports: An Important Part of the Job of a Security Guard

Incident Report (Photo credit: The Consumerist)

Security guards are hired to protect people, places, or things. Security companies hire the security guards and place them in jobs that best suit their skills. Security guards need to understand that no matter how well they do their job, the time will come that they will need to fill in an incident report because someone has attempted to bring had to the person, place, or thing that they have been hired to protect. Knowing how to fill in that incident report properly can affect how the job is done in the future and whether or not the client continues to work with the company that has hired them.

The first thing you should know is that you will need to pay attention during the incident in order to fill in the incident report accurately. Watch for details and be aware of what you are doing yourself. You will need to remember specific details after the incident and if you are not paying attention it will be more difficult to recall them when you need them.

As soon as possible, start writing down as many details as you can remember. Some important details to get down right away include:

• The time the authorities were called
• Who the security guard spoke to when the authorities were called
• When the supervisor was called and when
• Anyone else that was called and at what time

These details and others will make it easier to prosecute if the incidence goes to court or be reimbursed by insurance agencies.

The security guard will also need to remember what happened and the order that it happened in. The order of the event can have a serious impact on insurance awards and may be included as evidence if the case goes to court.

In order to fill in an incident report, security guards need to have excellent communication skills and thinking skills. Security guards must be able to recall recent events and they must think and be attentive during the actual incident. Remember to file your incident report as soon as possible after an incident occurs so that the details will be fresh in your memory. Every detail could be important so take the necessary time to fill in the incident report completely. Security guards who take incident reports seriously will be valued by clients and employers.

What to Do if Your Security Guard Job Becomes Monotonous

DON’T BE THIS GUY! https://www.flickr.com/photos/madaboutshanghai/184665954/ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just like many other jobs in the world, a security guard’s job can become monotonous at times, especially for those that work the night shift when everything is dark and quiet. Since the main responsibility of a security guard is to protect the property or a person from theft, harm, and destruction, it is imperative that the guard always be attentive and aware of their surroundings. If a security guard becomes tired or bored, he is not completely focused on the task at hand and he will not be able to perform his responsibilities to the highest degree. Luckily, there are things you can do if your security guard job becomes monotonous and you feel your attention slipping.

Keep Moving

One of the easiest ways to maintain focus is to get moving and keep the blood flowing. When a security guard sits in one place for too long, boredom and tiredness can set in quickly. When a security guard is not on alert, they are not properly guarding the premise as they should and the smallest interruptions could be missed. Get up and walk the premise of the property at various intervals. Of course, a guard should not make rounds according to a specific schedule because that will make it easier for a thief to make a move. The amount of time a security office can be walking around patrolling the area is dependent upon the specific job, but most security positions require at least some sort of tour of the inside and/or outside of the building to ensure everything is secure. As the security expert, don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor about adding a few walks around the perimeter of the building if you are working a security position where you primarily sit at a desk and watch video feeds, or increasing the number of rounds you already make, in order to avoid the job becoming too monotonous.

Take Notes Frequently

Since most security guards must submit reports for each shift, another way to keep your mind sharp is to take notes after each patrol. Don’t wait until the very end of your shift to write your report, when the details are no longer fresh in your mind. Working on the report throughout the entire day/night provides a different task that will break up the hours and make the job less boring. It will also show employers that that their guards are staying active throughout their entire shift and are dedicated to their job. The more varying tasks a person has while working, the less monotonous the job will be.

Other Suggestions

A few other things you can do to help prevent monotony in your job is to ask permission to have a radio at your desk. Keeping a radio on low volume might be just what you need to help you focus on your duties and break up the monotony, but won’t be loud enough to hinder your responsibilities. Since a security guard should be physically fit in order to handle disruptive people or those with mal-intentions, you might consider doing some exercises while working. You could do some jumping jacks, push-ups, lunges, and other types of calisthenics to keep your blood flowing and prevent fatigue from setting in. Just a few minutes several times a day might be all you need to stay focused.

It is very important for a guard be attentive, have complete focus on the job, and not let the lack of excitement create a sense of false security. A situation can arise at any moment, and if the security guard is not paying attention, the very situation the guard is trying to prevent will happen. If you feel your security job has become monotonous, speak to your supervisor about increasing your patrols, doing some exercises, or making allowances for a radio at your desk. These small steps could mean the difference of you doing your job properly and protecting the property, or dealing with a robbery that could have been prevented.

In the News: Security Guard Saves Child from Kidnapper

Source: https://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90882/7855361.html

Recently, a security guard in Guangzhou, Ganangdong foiled the attempts of a kidnapper in a very public rescue. He was successful and the child was returned to his father safe and sound. He made it look easy, but the truth is that a lot of thought and careful planning went into the rescue, even though it seemed to happen very quickly.

Here are some of the things that the security guard did right:

• He examined the surrounding area and observed the layout to find the right place to make his rescue.
• He made a plan before moving ahead.
• He took into account the fact that the kidnapper had a weapon (a knife).
• He took into account the safety of the child, first.
• He observed the size and build of the kidnapper and compared it to his own.
• He observed the signals that the kidnapper was revealing through his actions that suggested that he was possibly not completely aware of his surroundings.
• He signaled to the present police officers that he was about to take action so that they would be on guard.
• Once he made a plan he moved quickly and did not give the kidnapper time to react.

Does this mean that you should take similar actions?

Not necessarily. While this particular incident had a happy ending it could have easily have gone in the other direction.

Consider your training and your experience. If you have not been trained to handle situations like this or if you have no previous experience you might end up doing more harm than good. Remember that when others’ lives are involved it is better to have caution.

Also remember that there was a police presence. If they already had a plan you might put them or the child at increased risk to harm by implementing your own attack. Police are trained to deal with situations like this and have more experience than you likely do.

Don’t assume that you need to be the hero. You might do more good by simply keeping others (as in this case where there were many observers) safe and letting the police do their work. You might be more helpful in observing and being ready to provide backup if it is needed.

This story ends happily. Not all stories like this do though, so don’t assume that because you are a security guard that you need to be heroic and take action immediately. Think carefully before you act and always put the safety of others first.

What Kinds of Security Guard Jobs are Out There

As you start your quest for information about working in the security guard industry, you’ll quickly learn that there are many different types of security guard jobs. It is important that you learn about each type of position in order to find a security job that is right for you. Even within the same type of security guard position, your specific job responsibilities could vary from one employer to another. It is not only very important that you learn about the different types of security jobs, you must also read each job description in detail to make sure you are a good fit for the specific company you are considering applying at.

One of the first things you should know is that there are public and private security guards. The majority of security officers are private employees that work for a firm that provides security personnel to numerous types of businesses, or you could work for the business directly. Public security officers are police officers, detectives and sheriffs. Since most people don’t consider police officers as security guards, so this article focuses on the different types of private security positions.

One of the most obvious types of security guard jobs are the positions in places like malls, banks, stores, schools, and airports, where security guards protect the business and the general public against theft, destruction, or other types of harmful activities. Security officers are also posted at art galleries and museums to protect against robberies. There are also security positions in court houses, libraries, or other similar types of buildings. If you are looking for something a little more dangerous, you might enjoy being an armored car security officer. Or if you like a lot of action, consider becoming a surveillance agent, which is a security officer that works in the Casino industry. Security officers also provide protection for VIP’s like a actors, musicians, professional athletes, and politicians.

The responsibilities of a security guard also differ from one security job to another, even within the same company. Some security guards may be required to patrol parking lots, while others will be stationed in a special room in order to watch television monitors connected to various security cameras throughout the premises. Some security jobs require the officer to drive a security vehicle that looks similar to a police car, ride on a special golf cart, a Segway machine, or may have a particular route that must be walked. Security officers that work during the day when a business is open will have different responsibilities than an officer working at night at the same company.

Some of the things you’ll want to look at when researching specific companies to apply for a security guard job is the dress code, whether the position is for daytime or nighttime hours, if it is an office setting or if the position entails crowd control situations. Also determine if the job entails the use of monitoring equipment, if the position requires employees to drive security vehicles, and if the company prefers security officers that are licensed to carry a firearm. These are all important things to consider when determining if a specific security guard position is right for you. For example, don’t apply for a company that requires their guards to carry a gun if you don’t have a license to do so.

Being a security guard is a very rewarding position but in order to truly enjoy your work, you must find a compatible company to work for. With a little research you’ll find the perfect type of security job for you.

In the News: The Security Guard and Charlie Sheen

It’s not always big news when someone flips out at a security guard but when it is Charlie Sheen that is doing the flipping out it is all over the news.

Last week Charlie Sheen was at a hockey game in L.A. watching the Kings take on the New Jersey Devils. That venue in particular has a policy that if you leave in the middle of a game you don’t come back in. Well, Mr. Sheen figured he was above those rules and when the female security guard told him that he couldn’t come back in he lost his temper. He let loose a rampage of expletives that could make a sailor blush but the security guard held her ground. Maybe not in the right way though. She let loose a couple expletives of her own.

Check out this video from the hockey game.

The fact of the matter is that you’re going to run across people like Charlie Sheen when you are a security guard. They likely won’t be as newsworthy though. But you still need to know how to handle yourself in a situation like this so here are some tips:

1. Stay professional. If someone swears at you, resist the urge to swear back. This will only encourage them to continue the verbal exchange and they may take it up a notch. Don’t instigate them by saying things like, “You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
2. Repeat yourself firmly but don’t engage with them. Many people are just looking for and argument and it takes two people to have one so don’t be the second person.
3. Explain the policies. If at all possible show them the policies in writing. In the Charlie Sheen case it is quite likely that the policy was posted on the door so she might have shown it to him.
4. Give a warning. If the person you are dealing with continues to be verbally aggressive and you believe that the behavior might escalate into physical aggressiveness, warn them about what the next step will be and ask them to calm themselves.
5. Follow up on the warning if the person who is being aggressive does not step away and do as he or she is asked. That could be calling for back up or even calling the police.
6. Follow your instincts. If you feel that you are in danger be prepared to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. That may mean stepping behind a locked barrier or backing away.

Always consider company policies first and follow protocol of the situation. Above all, stay calm and think rationally.

How Do I Know if I Would Make a Good Security Guard?

If you have been looking for a new career and have been searching for a job that has high rates of employment, you have likely discovered that being a security guard fits into that area. Training centers for security guards are busy because there are many people who are recognizing this as a great field to get into because there is a high demand.

And if you have discovered that security guard jobs are in demand, you have likely asked yourself, “How do I know if I would make a good security guard?” Obviously, you need to get training, but what qualities should you have?

Are You a Humanitarian?

While you might not have considered this, good security guards are often humanitarians. They value the human life and they understand how people feel about their safety and their possessions. He takes people’s feelings into serious consideration when dealing with them. This enables the security guards to act quickly and with compassion and sincerity.

Coco-park-security-guard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do You Have Common Sense?

Security guards must also be practical and have common sense. It is great if they are brave, too, but courage will only take you so far. It doesn’t matter how courageous a security guard is if sensibility does not go with it. A security guard that does not take all of the factors of the situation into hand can put others in danger, as well as himself/herself.

Are You Physically in Good Shape?

It is necessary for a security guard to be in good shape, too. Security guards often find themselves in situations where he/she must exert the muscles of the body. Security guards often need to run or be able to defend themselves or others without getting winded so it is crucial for them to keep their bodies in good shape.

Do You Have Good Communications Skills?

Security guards will learn quickly that their ability to communicate in any situation can make a difficult situation much easier. When they find themselves in a conflict, it will save them a lot of time if they can communicate well and use verbal skills before they resort to any physical skills. Not only is it easier and the preferred method but it is safer for everyone that is involved.

Are You Willing to Dedicate Yourself to Your Work?

Security guards are dedicated individuals. They truly care about the work that they do. They see the value in it and they are there to service the area that they protect with a belief that they are needed. Security guards know that the job they do is important – they don’t need anyone else to tell them that!

Security Guard Training in Los Angeles

Becoming a security guard in the city of Los Angeles can be an amazing experience. Depending on where you apply (and of course, where you’re accepted), you can work in places like the Staples Center, Rodeo Drive, the Convention Center, and any other busy places that need people like you to keep those places safe.

With that said, there are some security guard training requirements that you must first fulfill before you can even become a guard in Los Angeles. Here are the California state-wide requirements outlined for you below:

If you’re already an unarmed security guard in the State of California and would like information about becoming an armed guard and holding a firearm while on duty, please click here.

Obtain Your Guard Card

STEP 1

The first thing you must do is collect your Guard Card. This is a permit or license that illustrates that you have passed certain background checks through a fingerprint scanning process.

This is required and there is no exception.

To obtain your Guard Card, you must first complete an 8-hour “Power to Arrest” training course and pass the examination.

This course, which can be done in-person at a certified training facility, or conveniently online. Most people prefer online because it’s convenient, but either way you’ll have to pay anywhere between $50 and $100 to take this course.

You have 3 attempts to pass the exam (online or in person), and once you successfully complete it you will receive a certificate of completion and LiveScan Fingerprint Forms, which are required for the next step.

STEP 2:

The next step it to take the forms you received from your 8-hour training course, fill them out (all of them – there are 3 copies for different locations) and take them to a local LiveScan provider. Click here to find LiveScan locations near your residence.

At the LiveScan location, you will be fingerprinted.

Please note that there will be a fee of about $60 for this part of the process.

Also, some training facilities and companies will offer a solution for this entire process for you, so please check with them so you can save time and effort.

During this step, the LiveScan provider will fill out the bottom portions of your forms for you, and give you an ATI number, which is needed for the next step.

STEP 3:

In this step, you’re going to submit all of the forms on the California State website at the following address (or you could do it via US Mail as well if you wish):

https://www.dca.ca.gov/splash.shtml

Total fees here will run you about $50.

STEP 4:

Here, you’re basically just waiting for approval from the state.

You can check your status on the State Bureau of Security and Investigative Services website.

It may take up to 2 to 3 weeks to be approved, after which you will receive your Guard Card in the mail.

Total cost is about $150 at this point.

After You Get Your Guard Card

After you get your card in the mail, you will have to complete 16 more hours of training within the first 30 days after getting hired. The training requirements are mostly “on the job” training requirements and will be handled and explained by your employer.

After that, you’ll need to complete an additional 16 hours of training with the first six months after getting hired, which is administered typically again by your employer.

In total, including the 8 hour Power to Arrest training course you needed to get your Guard Card, that’s 40 hours of total training.

There are several training facilities online and offline that you can choose from. Please check the job board for possible positions in the Los Angeles area.

Good luck!

Security Guard Training in Chicago

If you live in Chicago or the surrounding area and want to work as a security guard, there are some special training requirements that you need to fulfill first before you can become employed.

There are two basic levels of security guards in the industry: unarmed, and armed.

Armed, of course, means you have the permit that’s required to carry a firearm, which involved additional training, however let’s start with the unarmed requirements.

Click here to see the armed training requirements if you are already an unarmed security guard and have your PERC Card.

Security Guard Training Requirements

In order to become a security guard in the entire state of Illinois, you’re first going to need to obtain a PERC Card.

A PERC Card, otherwise known as a Permanent Employee Registration Card, illustrates that you have passed specific background checks by a fingerprint submission process.

To apply for a PERC Card, you can click here to find the application on the Illinois Division of Professional Regulations website. (See Licensee Application Forms)

Please note the following:

• You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for your PERC Card
• You must be able to provide your Social Security number.
• There is a non-refundable $55.00 fee that is made payable to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
• You must attach a photo to your application.
• You must submit security clearance documents.

The documents mentioned above are outlined in the PDF file for the PERC Card and you can get those by submitting a fingerprint and completing the scanning process. There is a long list of LiveScan Vendors who will be able to take and submit your fingerprint for you – many of which are in the Chicago area.

The process is pretty straightforward once you download the document.

After you receive your PERC card, you are then able to become employed as a security guard in Chicago, however you may be required to tack on an additional 20 hours of training. When you work with an employer they will be able to fill you in on the details.

Many of these courses are offered at local community colleges and adult schools in the Chicago area.

We wish you the best of luck on your journey to become a guard in Chicago!

Obtaining Your Firearm Card

In addition to the above requirements, in order to carry a firearm and obtain your armed security guard license, you must successfully complete 20 more hours of firearms training.

Firearms training includes handgun safety, handling your weapon and practice on the firing range with a handgun, which will most likely be provided for you.

Each person who is qualified must be able to shoot 50 rounds from a handgun with 70% accuracy in order to pass and receive a permit. More details will be given during training.

Click here to see more information about the Firearm Training Course and the firearm card.

We wish you the best of luck on your journey to become an armed guard in Chicago!

How “In-Shape” Do You Have to Be to Become a Security Guard?

Most people who are looking to start their career in protective services as security guards know that there’s a minimum level of education required to become one – typically at least a high school diploma, GED or equivalent certificates.

Please see the state map on the homepage for all of the requirements in your state.

Many people, however, wonder if there is some sort of physical requirement as well. In other words, how “in-shape” do you have to be to become a security guard.

Minmum Requirements

No U.S. states require any kind of physical fitness test, at least for now, however some companies who are looking to hire may potentially require some sort of fitness evaluation, just to make sure a possible employee has the capability to do what is required while on the job.

Before you apply to any company, it’s best to ask about all of the the requirements first so you can make sure you show up with all of the experience and training necessary.

Physical Fitness

As far as physical fitness is concerned, it’s obvious that the more “in-shape” you are, the better. Most entry-level security positions require a bit of walking, depending on the location(s) that you are sent to protect and oversee, and certain situations may arise while on the job that may require you to run or lift-heavy objects.

The most important thing to understand is this: it is your primary job to observe and report and if your physical abilities hinder that, you may be putting yourself and those people around you in danger.

How to Improve Your Physical Fitness

There are several ways to improve your physical health, as you probably already know, and it’s not our position to tell you what you should do. Chances are, you already know what you have to do – you just have to do it, whether it’s exercise more, eat better, or whatever.

Our goal is to motivate you to do what you know you need to do.

The security guard career is an exciting and fulfilling path that is currently in high-demand, and we’d hate to see anyone be denied the opportunity to become a part of this community because of physical setbacks.

Our best tip as far as improving fitness and health is this:

Make small changes because they add up.

If you’re not a healthy eater, that’s fine. Most of us aren’t and great tasting food is, well – great. You don’t need to make a drastic change, just cut one or two things out and be strong about it. Maybe it’s just cutting out all the carbonated drinks, or that grande white chocolate mocha with whip you have each morning. One little change can make a huge change.

If you’re not into exercising much, that’s fine too. It’s hard to go from nothing to 2 hours in the gym each day. Just take the stairs instead of the elevator once a day, or take a walk during your lunch break instead of checking your email. Again, these small changes can really change your life.

Whatever you choose to do if you need to get into better shape, we wish you the best of luck!