Security officers/guard?

Question

I would like to know from anyone who is or was once employed as a securtiy officer/guard if they were required to take any training or become certified in order to be employed as security. Also if you did take any traning, do you think the cost of the traning/classes was worth getting the job as a security guard.

I would like to look into becominga security guard becuase im have a degree in law enforcement becuase I want a career as a cop but I think that as a securtiy officer the job might be a little to boring for me

Answer 1

Each state has different requirements to be a certified either un-armed or armed security officer. Believe me... the instruction and certification process is not very hard.

Also, in many places, if a business hires you directly as in house security, you are not required to be licensed.

You are only required a license if you work for a security agency that hires you out to customers.

Most security companies do not pay squat. You would earn about 7 bucks an hour for un armed, and 8.50 an hour for armed security. Private companies that hire you, say like security for a large Hotel in a major city, will pay more... but not by much.

The BEST security jobs are working security for Private large hospitals. These guys, of whom I know many and most are all retired cops, can start at 30 - 40 K a year!

Answer 2

I have worked for the State of California for 7 years as a Security Guard for the State Fair. I did not need any training or special certificate. I do have a guard card though I got that after being there for 3 years cause I thought that I would go into Law Enforcement, but answer is No! There are some companies that do require you to be certified or.... Start at the Fair, get some real good experience and go from there. Good luck. C. W.

Answer 3

In Texas, you're required to take a 20(?) hour class. Been to long, but it was so I could carry a weapon. The class was $85 at the time, probably more now. It's helpful. Be sure to pay special attention to the part that security officers have no more authority than the average citizen. May keep you out of deep trouble with the real law.

Answer 4

It depends on where you want to work. States have laws pertaining to what a security officer can do or what authority they have, whether or not you need a license to become a security officer, and what training, if any, you need to become a security officer. In most cases, you must have specific training and be licensed to become an armed security officer. Employers are demanding security officers be more qualified than in the past. Look into private security and government security jobs. Security officer jobs are sometimes easy to get, and sometimes applicants are required to have many qualifications. Many security companies will provide training to their officers. However, many security companies, especially the better paying ones, often prefer applicants to have a criminal justice degree or military experience and require them to have security training.

Answer 5

You got a few good responses already. As someone mentioned here, you'll sit in a classroom, listening to what you can and can't do as a security guard (8 hours of classroom time, I believe). I, myself, also wanted to get into law enforcement. I sure was glad that I worked security, because 4 years later, it turned out that I hated dealing with really rude people. In my opinion, it is worth getting into security if law enforcement is what you want to get into.

Generally, security is very boring. I used to work at the busiest spots (bars, concerts, special events), but I hated it. Instead, I decided to pursue firefighting, and currently working on getting my EMT license. Go ahead and give security a shot. From there, you will be able to decide if law enforcement is for you. Depending on where you'll work, you will deal from very nice people to the complete a**hole. You'll also be challenged at times. Do a few ride alongs with local PDs so you can compare their work with security. After you've experienced a lot of this (ride alongs and security work), sit down and think if this is the type of environment that you want to work in. I have heard of people just jumping into law enforcement without exploring beforehand, and ending up quiting within the first few weeks.

Answer 6

It' not like that as you think thought about security guard/ officer job. It is not a boring job but you can find more interest here then having a cop job but it also depend on company to company you gonna to join. And if you took some training before then it is helpful for your job. And you can also visit here http://www.vpgsecurity.com/construction-security,18.html if you wan to know about security related things means how they work, perform etc similar things.

Answer 7

You have to take a course and be licensed by the state that you will be working in. There is one license for an unarmed guard and a different one for armed. Normally, the security company that employs you will pay for that training/license

Answer 8

First off, security is lame. If you really want to be a cop, look into being a police cadet, reserve officer, or volunteer at a local police department.

That being said, where I live (California), the "license" to be a security guard is easy to obtain. You sit through a no-brainer course, often presented by the company that will hire you, and have your fingerprints taken. That's pretty much it. There's a little more involved if you need to carry a weapon.

Answer 9

YES. TO BE EMPLOYED IN WASHINGTON STATE (1968) YOU HAD TO HAVE POLICE, MILITARY POLICE OR A TWO YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT DEGREE.

EXPERIENCE WAS TAUGHT IN A ONE WEEK COURSE FOR PINKERTON'S, BURNS AGENCIES. MANY OFFICERS WITH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL TAUGHT THE COURSES ON LAW OF ARREST, SEARCH AND SEIZURE. IF THEY HAD A WEAPON SECURITY WAS TO NOTIFY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OF A WEAPON BEING USED.
MANY WHO WERE UNDER AGE 21- WITH A 2 YEAR DEGREE WENT TO WORK FOR A LOCAL AGENCY AND WHEN THEY TURNED 21 WERE QUALIFIED WITH SOME KNOWLEDGE OF POLICE WORK.

Answer 10

i am an armored truck driver and inorder for me to be able to carry my firearm i had to take a 20 hour gun class and be able to shoot the gun in various conditions. the company luckily paid for the class which cost 185 here in ohio. you must also requalify with your firearm of choice every year with a 90 dollar cost for that. the class was fun and i think its worth it the class was very educational as far as all the laws and stuff.