ARMED AND UNARMED GUARD TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
ARMED GUARD TRAINING
Washington State requires that all armed security guards complete eight hours of initial firearms training with half in the classroom and half on the range. Four-hour annual re-certifications are required. Classroom training focuses on the law regarding the use of deadly force, firearms safety and Washington State armed guard licensing requirements. Applicants are expected to come to class with an understanding of firearms fundamentals and an ability to qualify on the range. Those needing training in the fundamentals of firearms marksmanship are advised to contact STSI to arrange for such training prior to participating in the basic armed security guard course.
SHOTGUN TRAINING
STSI provides Washington State range certification on shotgun in addition to pistol and revolver. Applicants are expected to attend the class with enough familiarity with the shotgun that will enable them to pass the basic 16-round course of fire. Applicants needing remedial or fundamental training in the shotgun may arrange for this by contacting STSI prior to appearing for the State qualification.
RIFLE TRAINING
STSI provides training and State certification in rifle. Contact STSI for specifics.
UNARMED GUARD TRAINING
Washington State currently requires all security companies employing security guards to provide a minimum of eight hours of approved basic unarmed security guard training prior to deployment of any unarmed security guard. State law also requires that this training be provided by a State Certified Unarmed Security Guard trainer, and that applicant fingerprints and documentation of the training be sent to the DOL within 72 hours of hire. STSI trainers are certified by the State of Washington to provide this training.
Contact STSI for rate information.
Employers are advised that prior to training, they must have registered their company properly with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) as an operating Security Guard Company. They must also have obtained temporary Unarmed Guard ID license forms and all the necessary fingerprint cards and Unarmed Guard application forms required to complete the application process.
Copies of all documents will be provided to the client following training, and STSI will properly record and maintain duplicate records of all training of personnel in the event of an audit by the state.
Areas covered in the State Unarmed Guard Training utilize the STSI training manual (THE ROLE OF THE SECURITY OFFICER) available for purchase by any state certified instructor from Michael Jaquish that covers all the required DOL training topics listed below:
Washington State Department of Licensing Pre-assignment Unarmed Guard Training Requirements (As of July- 2005)
Areas of Required Knowledge
Basic principals:
1. Basic role of the security guard.
2. Washington State licensing laws.
3. Observation.
4. Proper actions, reactions, ethics and diversity.
5. Homeland Security - Terrorism and Surveillance.
Legal powers and limitations:
1. Citizen arrest.
2. Authority to detain, question, or search a private citizen.
3. Authority to search or seize private property.
4. Use of force.
5. Building relationships with law enforcement.
6. Avoiding liability
Emergency Response:
1. How to define what is or is not an emergency situation.
2. Response to fires.
3. Response to medical emergencies.
4. Response to criminal acts.
5. Bomb threats.
Safety and accident prevention:
1. Hazardous materials including MSDS.
2. Accident reporting.
Report writing: It's a legal document:
1. Elements and characteristics of a report.
WA DOL Post Assignment Training Topics - WAC 308-18-305
The topic areas that must be used for post-assignment training are as follows and may also include the subject topics listed under WAC 308-18-300
(a) Basic role of private security guards.
1. Security awareness
2. Private security guards and the criminal justice system
3. Information sharing
4. Crime and loss prevention
(b) Legal aspects of private security.
1. Evidence and evidence handling
2. Use of force
3. Court testimony
4. Incident scene preservation
5. Equal employment opportunity (EEO) and diversity
6. State and local laws
(c) Security officer conduct.
1. Ethics
2. Honesty
3. Professional image
(d) Observation and incident reporting.
1. Observation techniques
2. Note taking
3. Report writing
(e) Principles of communications.
1. Interpersonal skills
2. Verbal communication skills
3. Building relationships with law enforcement
4. Customer services and public relations
5. Workplace violence
(f) Principles of access control.
1. Enter and exit control procedures
2. Electronic security systems
(g) Principles of safeguarding information.
1. Proprietary and confidential
(h) Emergency response procedures
1. Critical incident response (e.g., natural disasters, accidents,
human caused events)
2. Evacuation process
(i) Life safety awareness.
1. Safety hazards in the workplace/surroundings
2. Emergency equipment placement
3. Fire prevention skills
4. Hazardous materials
5. Occupational safety and health requirements (e.g., OSHA related training, blood borne pathogens, etc.)
(j) Job assignments and post orders.
1. Assignments and tasks
2. Patrol
SAMPLE CHAPTER:
Chapter One:
THE BASIC ROLE OF THE SECURITY OFFICER
Security officers are not Law Enforcement officers, nor are they agents of the Armed Forces. But as crucial as both of those roles are to society, they contain gaps that can only be filled by members of the private security profession. Together, these three occupations form the massive mother organization charged with maintaining the overall peace and safety of the citizens of our society. Each component fills needs that are separate and apart from one another while sharing and rendering assistance and guidance to attain the overall objective. Together, the three organizations form one cohesive unit with one primary and very necessary ultimate objective:
"To protect and serve the society where we all reside."
All three organizations are part and parcel of the profession known collectively as the "Security Profession". There are areas wherein the venue of each appears at first glance to overlap. However, once one attains an understanding of how the three arms of the profession work separately but harmoniously in the spirit of true cooperation, it becomes clear that these organizations truly do rely upon each other to perform the daunting overall task of protecting and serving the society of which we are all a part.
The purpose and goal of this manual is to clarify these issues and promote a genuine understanding of the role of the security officer within in our society thereby allowing the security professional to do his or her job with greater ease, confidence and professionalism.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITY PROFESSIONAL
OBSERVE, DETECT, DETER, AND REPORT: A security officer will constantly observe their area of assignment, detect problems, deter individuals from entering without authorization and report any and all suspicious persons and incidents immediately.
COURTESY: Security officers must be courteous at all times. An officer need not be belligerent to be firm. An officer can be courteous and well mannered and still be effective.
CAPABILITY: To handle any normal situation that a security officer may encounter and know how and where to get help if it is needed.
ALERTNESS: To be alert at all times while on duty, to be always on the watch for activities, conditions, or hazards that could result in injury to people or damage to property and equipment.
SELF-DISCIPLINE: Personal likes and dislikes should not sway a security officer from his or her duty. Prompt obedience and proper execution of all orders given by superiors is expected from all security officers. Discipline does not mean punishment. True discipline is indicated by proper conduct under all conditions by individuals away from the presence of their supervisors.
INTEGRITY: To conduct yourself at all times in a manner that will reflect credit on you and your employer.
CREATIVITY: Security officers should possess the ability to imagine what might happen under a given set of circumstances and determine the correct action to be taken if a given emergency should arise.
PROFESSIONAL PRIDE: Security officers should take pride in their duties and maintain a keen interest in their jobs. This will show in the manner in which they perform their duties and will be recognized by all who come in contact with them.
EMPLOYER LOYALTY: A security officer must be loyal to the employer. Learn to ask yourself, "Is this best for the company?" Loyalty also means that supervisors are able to trust a security officer with confidential information.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE: The security officer is frequently the first contact a visitor has with the client. The way in which the visitor is greeted and the visitor's questions are answered will play a significant part in the visitor's appraisal of the client's company. Human and employee relations depend a great deal upon the security officer's attitude.
TACT: A security officer should act without haste or undue emotion. Do not argue with people, and avoid force unless absolutely necessary. Present a calm, dignified bearing.
