Security Guard Training Course Curriculum | Penn Foster Career School

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

To provide basic knowledge and skills and help students prepare for entry-level employment as an unarmed Security Guard.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

Recognize the opportunities available in the private security industry, a historical perspective, and basic requirements for a security guard
Examine the characteristics of professional conduct and appearance for security guards and necessary interpersonal skills
Summarize laws and liability related to the roles and responsibilities of security guards
Examine the elements of a citizen arrest, a security guard's limitations with physical force, and best practices in dealing with crimes in progress
Explain the duties and security measures designed to deny unauthorized access and protect personnel and property within the scope of their duties
Describe procedures and best practices in crisis intervention and management for handling emergencies, various types of threats and evacuations
Describe the process required to investigate illegal or suspicious activities, accidents, and damages

Orientation to Security Guard

This course will teach students how to recognize the opportunities available within the private security industry. Students will examine the history of the security industry and discover the career pathways and requirements.

Objectives:

Outline a plan for completing your program and the goals you want to achieve
Identify your preferred study aids and learning styles
Develop important study and time management skills
Use helpful resources, such as the Virtual Library and tutoring services
Identify historical events that added to the growth of the security industry
Identify the key players in the development of the security industry
Define the key purpose for the creation of the private security industry
Explain the basic requirement for security officers
Discover the career opportunities in the private security industry
Differentiate between proprietary and contract security sectors

Security Guard Conduct

This course will teach students to identify the appropriate aspects of a professional image and proper conduct necessary when entering the workforce. Students will discover the importance of professional communication and how it will assist in performing the duties of a security guard.

Objectives:

Identify appropriate forms of dress and hygiene
Identify appropriate standards of conduct
Explain the importance of attendance
Explain the importance of properly maintaining work areas
Explain the elements of professional communication
Examine traits and communication barriers of a security guard
Examine nonverbal communication
Identify best practices for telephone etiquette
Describe effective practices of written communication (including email)
Explain the concept of public relations and compliance for security guards
Explain the importance of positive relationships with emergency personnel
Describe procedures for dealing with a disruptive person

Civil and Criminal Laws and Liabilities

This course provides an overview of the components, structure, principles, and processes within the American criminal and civil justice systems. Students will learn the elements of a crime, the difference between civil and criminal law, the stages of criminal and civil procedures, and legal liability issues that can affect a security business or individual security officer.

Objectives:

Discuss the basic elements of a crime and why they must be satisfied to prove guilt
Explain the relationship between harm and causation and when these elements must be satisfied to prove guilt
Describe the types of punishment and their purposes in administering criminal justice
Differentiate between civil and criminal law, including the nature of offense as crime or tort, cause of action, and parties involved
Explain the difference in burden of proof between civil and criminal law
Discuss types of justice and their purpose in civil and criminal cases
Describe the steps that occur prior to a case entering the court system
Outline the stages of the pre-trial process for prosecutors
Describe the purpose of a trial, the roles of key players, the stages of a trial, and the reason for plea agreements, including probation
Summarize the sentencing and parole processes and the factors impacting lengths and types of sentences
Describe the nature of civil liability, its four categories, the specific types of liability in each, and the civil remedies available to victims
Discuss the elements for each of the eleven types of common torts
Explain the nature of criminal liability, the problems it creates for security officers, and the meaning of a self-help defense

Textbook: Private Security and the Law, 4th Edition, Elsevier

Arrest and Detention

This course outlines the laws and procedures applicable to private security as compared to public law enforcement. Students will learn conditions and techniques for properly and legally responding to crimes in progress, securing crime locations, making arrests, and conducting search and seizure activities.

Objectives:

Explain how to best respond when someone is loitering, under the influence, or exhibiting disorderly conduct
Describe how to best respond to shoplifting, burglary, and robbery when in progress
Discuss procedures for responding to an assault or domestic violence in progress
Summarize how to respond to criminal and defiant trespassing when in progress
Explain steps to take to secure a crime location or area
Paraphrase the elements of an arrest
Explain the difference between arrest with a warrant and arrest without a warrant
Describe the concept of citizen arrest and the ways it differs from arrest by police
Discuss the significance of felony level crimes relative to arrest procedures for private security officers
Explain arrest procedures for breach of peace crimes
Summarize issues related to use of force, including how to determine and apply reasonable force
Explain the differences in search and seizure laws for public law enforcement and private security
Describe improper searches and the significance of consent to search
Summarize the difference between an inventory and a plain view search, including conditions and techniques for each
Explain the technique for conducting a protective pat-down, including the legal and circumstantial criteria

Textbook: Private Security and the Law, 4th Edition, Elsevier

Protecting Buildings, Property, and Assets, Part 1

This course explores tools and strategies to monitor and secure buildings and grounds. Topics include patrolling operations, methods and devices to prevent unauthorized entry, and effective use of surveillance, lighting, and detection technologies to enhance security.

Objectives:

Discuss the five purposes of patrol operations
Explain how and when to use foot patrol, vehicle patrol, bike patrol, and random patrols
Describe procedures for dealing with a protective area, including continuous observation, notification to command center and documenting physical changes
Summarize the equipment needed for patrol, including the different types of radios and phones
Describe methods of securing doors and windows, including locking, card, and advanced detection devices and systems
Explain surveillance options and the details to consider when selecting, siting, and aiming a security camera
Paraphrase common security issues in building design
Describe the types of barriers used to secure property and methods used to prevent breaches
Discuss types of lights, lighting equipment and systems, and where to place lighting to enhance security
Describe common detection equipment, including electronic article surveillance, metal detector, and X-ray machine

Textbook: Introduction to Security, Ninth Edition 9th Edition, Elsevier

Protecting Buildings, Property, and Assets, Part 2

This course explores the many ways to protect a company’s employees and material assets by controlling access and movement, and by preventing theft and fires. Students will learn techniques, equipment, and procedures to manage access to the building, restricted areas, and storage devices. This course also covers methods and equipment to impede theft, control crowds and traffic, and reduce the risk of fire and resulting damage.

Objectives:

Describe how to control access by analyzing traffic patterns and entryways, limiting movement, and using barriers and surveillance
Summarize systems, products, and practices to identify employees and visitors
Describe secure storage options, their features, best practices for use, and how to evaluate effectiveness
Compare various categories and types of alarms, how they work, and monitoring options
Explain types and signs of employee dishonesty and common places to look for theft
Describe pre-hiring and ongoing policies and procedures to control employee theft
Summarize procedures for controlling crowds during civil disturbances, labor disputes, and workplace violence incidents
Describe techniques for directing traffic, as well as suitable appearance, protective gear and communication equipment
Summarize the nature, stages, and classes of fire and leading causes of injury, death, and damage
Explain fire prevention strategies and how to identify safety violations related to heat sources, chemical storage, and trash build-up
Discuss the classification of extinguishers and how to inspect and maintain them
Contrast the different types of alarm and detection systems

Textbook: Introduction to Security, Ninth Edition 9th Edition, Elsevier

Emergencies, Threats, and Evacuations

This course provides information on what to consider and how to best proceed when responding to medical emergencies, a variety of threats, and conducting an evacuation.

Objectives:

Summarize procedures for administering CPR and compressions, and for properly operating an automated external defibrillator (AED)
Explain the procedures to follow when locating, assessing, stabilizing, and transferring a victim of a medical emergency
Outline the steps to take in response to hazmat emergencies, such as chemical spills and blood or airborne pathogens
Discuss how identify a bomb, types of device, and hazardous materials within
State effective steps to take in response to telephone threats
Describe what to look for when encountering a suspicious package
Outline procedures for responding to the following disasters: flood, tornado, hurricane, and building collapse
Summarize best practices for safely and effectively responding to an active shooter
Explain reasons for evacuation and types of incidents that commonly lead to evacuation
Describe the procedure for conducting an evacuation, including which authorities to notify, potential hazards to avoid, and the best routes and exits to take
Explain how to effectively and safely assist visitors and employees when evacuating

Investigations

This course provides an overview of investigations and evidence as they relate to private security work. The student will learn how to write an investigative report, conduct an interview, and collect and preserve evidence, as well as how to provide court testimony.

Objectives:

Describe the characteristics of the investigative process
Apply effective interviewing techniques, procedures, and evaluation
Compare the seven categories of evidence and four types of witnesses
Examine collection and preservation techniques at a crime scene
Create an investigative report that includes the elements and 5 Ws of a quality report
Apply the formal procedure for writing a report
Describe quality characteristics of a report
Analyze various types of activity reports and criminal documentation
Apply investigative methods and techniques used during a theft/property or an insurance case
Conduct a thorough background investigation
List the types of hearings and trials
Examine standard preparation, presentation, and courtroom procedures when giving testimony

Textbook: Private Security and the Investigative Process, 3rd Edition, CRC Press

Security Guard Curriculum Details

Program Goal and Outcomes

Sample Security Guard Lesson