Security guard training is an important part of protecting your business and its employees through our WWPro security officers. There are a variety of government regulations that dictate security guard training. One of the most important is the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Officer Qualification Standards for Security Guard Personnel” regulation, which was published in 2009.
According to this regulation, security guards must receive initial and recurrent training that covers topics such as terrorism awareness, recognizing suspicious behavior, and first aid. The regulation also requires security guards to pass a security guard certification exam.
In addition to the DHS regulation, states often have their own regulations for security guard training. For example, the state of California requires security guards to complete at least eight hours of initial training and four hours of recurrent training every two years.
What are the skills that security guards need to be trained in?
The security guard skills that need to be trained in depend on the specific job duties of a security guard.
However, some common skills that security guards should be trained in include:
- Terrorism awareness: Security guards should be familiar with the different types of terrorism and how to identify terrorist activity.
- First Aid: Security guards should be trained in how to provide first aid in emergency situations.
- CPR: Security guards should be trained in how to administer CPR in case of a medical emergency.
- Weapon handling: Security guards may need to handle firearms or other weapons, so they need to be trained in how to do so safely and effectively.
- Crowd control: Security guards may be called upon to manage large crowds, so they need to be trained in how to do so effectively and peacefully.
There are also a number of private security guard training organizations that offer security guard certification exams. Some of these organizations are the National Association of Security Companies (NASC), ASIS International, and the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS).
The type and amount of security guard training that is required can vary depending on the type of security guard position. For example, security guards who work in airports must receive training that covers topics such as aviation security and counterterrorism. In contrast, security guards who work in schools are not typically required to receive training that covers Aviation security.
The bottom line is that there are a variety of government regulations and private security organizations that dictate the type and amount of security guard training that is required.
In summary, our WWPro security guards must receive initial and recurrent training that covers a variety of topics, including terrorism awareness, recognizing suspicious behavior, and first aid. Additionally, security guards must pass a security guard certification exam in order to work as a security guard.