A security guard is often privately employed to protect people or property. They often have a uniform that identifies them with the business that hires them out and their presence when on the job is to help deter any types of unsuitable or criminal behavior. Security guard training is necessary before a person can work to protect people and property as well as maintain security and control in a given area. The main role of a security guard is deterring and preventing crime and when working for a company they may come under an agreement to protect the company property, people working within it, and to also apply the company rules. Security guards work in various locations and these may include schools, hospitals, hotels, bars and other areas of the business and community.
The Security Guard Services Guide details the requirements that may be specific to each state. Many of the states in the USA require a security guard to have a license, receive mandatory training and have a criminal background check. Where a security guard is required to carry a weapon they may be required to do additional security guard training and also carry a permit for any weapon in their possession. Security guards that are armed are usually employed for protecting money transportation, banks, casino’s, other types of financial businesses, military areas, government sites and nuclear power facilities and are also employed by private businesses and companies as guards that work in vehicle patrols.
Different states in the USA have different requirements to the amount of time and content of security guard training. A general requirement is that the participant be approximately eighteen years of age to work as an unarmed guard and over twenty one to work as an armed guard. Training may range from eight hours to forty hours depending on the state and a further amount of training is required to carry a licensed weapon. Some states give a security officer the power to arrest a person on the property they are protecting, similar to the power of a Sheriff’s Deputies. There are states that require a security guard to do in service training yearly to maintain a firearms license and bi yearly to maintain their license as a security officer. Some states also require psychological evaluations, first aid training and other qualification while other states don’t require an unarmed security guard to have a license. Anyone who is planning on taking up this occupation should check with a security guard company or business in their state to ascertain the correct procedure to become a security officer.