There are some states that do not require security guards to be trained, such as Rhode Island.  However, just because the law does not have a specific requirement for security guard training does not mean that security guard training should not be completed.  Training private security guards is the responsibility of the private security company and should be done in order to maximize the overall performance of the private security guard.  Private security guard training is an expense worth paying because it will pay off for everybody in the future.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, trained security guards have higher rates of productivity and effectiveness.  Training security guards leads to security guards becoming more attentive to details and alert while on the job.  With increased alertness, security guards will be better able to recognize and report any incidents which also increase the efficiency of the communication.  Security guard training will teach the importance of communication that is clear, concise, and easy to understand and its role in effective security operations.  Properly training security guards improves the intelligence of the security guards, allowing them to more easily handle circumstances in a responsible and appropriate manner while under duress.  Having the training to make difficult decisions during stressful circumstances will not only increase the efficiency of the security guard’s performance, but it will also optimize the safety of the security guard.

Security guards must have dynamic personal and social skills.  The day to day life of a security guard can be unpredictable and there is an extensive diversity of people who the security guard will be consulting with every day.  The communications responsibilities will be different every shift.  Some shifts will require close coordination with the security guard supervisor on duty and other days will require obtaining cooperation from various individuals who may be trespassing or loitering on a client’s property.  A security guard training program should ensure that the security guards understand the importance of the social skills designed to deescalate situations which may be tense and unpleasant.  Training that addresses positive communication will be beneficial for the client, the security guard, and the security guard company.

Both classroom training and on-site training are important in the field of private security.  Security guards must be made aware of the basic training requirements in the classroom and should receive a training manual from his or her private security company.  However, training is not limited to the classroom.  On-site training is essential to the security guard mastering the client’s site which is to be protected and secured.  Proper on-site training from the security guard supervisors and/or the clients is essential to successful security guard operations.  A solid private security company should get to know the client’s business and how it operates.  This will allow the security guard to be more aware of the general operations of the client’s site which he or she will be protecting.

Finally, private security guard training is strongly associated with increased safety of the security officers.  Safety of the security guards should be the number one priority of the private security company.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trained security guards are less likely to be injured while on the job.  Properly trained security guards will be more conscious of the potentially hazardous situations which he or she may encounter while at a client’s site.  Having this ability will allow the security guard to be ready to quickly make intelligent decisions while under duress.  The decision of a private security company to conduct both classroom and on-site training for its security guards is the best decision a private security company can make.