Security Officer Training and Requirements

Most employers look to hire security officers with prior law enforcement or military experience and training. Armed security officers are required to hold all state required licenses and meet all security officer training requirements. A POST certificate is helpful and a GED or high school diploma is usually required. Both unarmed and armed security officer jobs will offer higher wages to those with any higher education or training, such as an associate's degree in criminal justice or bachelor's degree in criminal justice. If you have any desire to move into a management level position in private security or government security a B.S. in Organizational Security & Management is an excellent choice. Any prior security officer training will also commensurate higher salary. Security officers that are licensed as an armed security officer also will earn higher wages.

Each state's requirements will vary regarding licensure or certification to work as a security officer. You will need to check with the state in which you desire employment as to what certification and licensing you are required to have in order to gain employment. Firearm certification will also be necessary for any armed security officer employment. In most states, applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check and drug test, complete classroom training in subjects like property rights, emergency procedures, and detention of suspects.

Find Online Schools That Will Prepare You for a Security Officer Career

Security Officer Duty and Job Description

In general, a security guard's/security officer's job description or duty will consist of patrolling on foot or in a patrol vehicle or managing a static security station. Security officers are employed by corporations, private employers and schools. Depending on the nature of the position, a security guard may be armed or unarmed. Most security officer employers will require you to be physically able to perform required duties, be well groomed and professional in appearance, have good verbal and written communication skills, like people, be good at working with the general public, have defensive tactics training or experience, arrest and control techniques training or experience, have vehicle driving and defensive driving skills. Security officers work in banks, schools, hospitals, malls, retail centers, hospitals, hotels and many other locations.

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Security Officer Career

You will find that many security officers are full-time law enforcement who are moonlighting as security officers for additional income. Some security officers are in the security officer position to gain experience before applying to a law enforcement academy. As you can see, a career as a security officer is not often a primary or long-term position. We found that most security officers, not currently in law enforcement, are actually pursuing degree programs that will prepare them for future employment in law enforcement. James Harrington, a security officer in Florida, commented "I have so much down time in my security position that I now bring my course work to the job with me, so that I can study. I will be completing my degree within the next two months and will be applying to the police academy."

Are you considering a career in law enforcement? If so, most law enforcement agencies are now requiring some college education. An associate's degree will satisfy most agency requirements, however check with the agency you will be applying to. Find a degree program below that will satisfy your agency's requirements and request free, no obligation information today.