Becoming a Security Guard

[Queens]

I live in New York and still in highschool and barely passing. College is not what I want to do and my have always wanted to get into law enforcement. Im looking to become an armed security guard and I would like to know anything about the job as possible.More than half of jobs for security guards were in investigation and security services, where can I find some in New York? Where exactly do you start? Where to make the most money? What to expect?

[EH126]

Since your still in hight school, almost all the armed positions here in Michigan require you be at least 21 years of age before being allowed to carry a firearm. Have you ever thought of community college in your area? Many community colleges have criminal justice degree programs. See if there are any schools that have it and apply for financial aid if necessary. Oh, also check out campus/public safety (camus security) positions. They may hire people about 18 years old, that could a taste of LE possibly. Also malls have a lot of public interaction with there customer service roles. Mall security officers (SOs) also enforce mall regulations, assist (sometimes) merchants with shoplifters. I hope this helps, good luck and take care.

[SEOHopeful1]

have always wanted to get into law enforcement. Im looking to become an armed security guard

Securioty is better than law enforcement. They can get more arrests and don't need a warent

[Bill Warnock]

If you think security is all about arresting people, please rethink your desire to enter law enforcement or security.
In your original post, you stated you were in high school and barely passing. Why are you barely passing? When you enter either security or law enforcement there is a lot to learn, nimble of mind and fast on your feet. Those who are not, quickly fall by the wayside, get themselves or others killed or injured.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[BoxerGuard]

Securioty is better than law enforcement. They can get more arrests and don't need a warent

we dont answer to the government either. So when I catch a shoplifter I can hit them or whatever I want to do. as long as there are no marks. ;)

[3rd_shift]

In Texas, you only need to be 18 years of age to work as an armed guard.
Be careful though, some companies only have the guts to land contracts with apartments where you really do need a firearm to protect you ability to observe and report.
Office building security is usually much nicer and out of the ghettos and weather.
I have my armed licence, duty gear and everything else needed to go look for some juicy drama to report.
But as of now, I enjoy my unarmed post at an office building in uptown Dallas Tx. where I am the "substitute building manager" after hours. ;)

[Queens]

how much to security guards make? (armed and unarmed)

[3rd_shift]

In Dallas Tx, about 9-12 bucks an hour is the norm for standing guards armed and unarmed who are decent.
$6-$8 an hour for guards who are not even officers that are just warm bodies who sleep at thier posts a little too much. :rolleyes:

BTW, I am certified and licensed to carry any handgun semi-auto (pistol) or non semi-auto (revolver) and 12 guage pump shotgun.
I'm also licensed for handcuffs, OC pepper spray, and collapsible baton.
I don't mess around when I go to an armed post, I carry all the good stuff to keep any peace that there is available to keep. :)

[Queens]

What are some good companies to join? And do I get training by them or do I go to some school after Highschool to get the training?

[N. A. Corbier]

From the New York State Department of Something or Other... http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/guardfaq.html

What are the requirements for registration?

Generally speaking, applicants must be 18 years of age, have completed an 8-hour pre-assignment training course, and have not been convicted of a serious criminal offense.

Are there additional requirements for an armed guard registration?

Yes. You must complete a 47 hour firearms course, and submit the certificate with your application for issuance of an armed guard registration card.

So, basically, you take an 8 hour course approved by the state (The company may or may not offer it, expect to pay money for it), and submit to an FBI fingerprinting check.

[IrishGuard]

I believe that a person straight from High School, would have great difficulty in obtaining employment as a Security Guard with a reputable Security Company.

The very nature of the job requires a mature person with prior work experience and the ability to relate to and interact in a diplomatic manner with people from all walks of life.

People employed as Security Guards usually have experience in industry and or the militay and want a job change due to redundancy or retirement.

Many Security Guard positions entail long hours of boredom and inactivity with only oneself for company and is therefore in my opinion not the job for a school leaver.

[1stWatch]

"Becoming security" has requirements that differ from state to state, as each political subdivision's laws are different. I don't really know anything about your situation, but hearing about "barely passing" in high school is usually attributable to other things than a lack of smarts. Some people need employment for financial and emotional stability. Once that, along with a cast iron work ethic, happens then grades tend to improve gradually. Most states will require that you graduate. I'm not sure about New York. I have heard New York has unions for just about everything and that includes private security. You should probably seek out a union rep and ask questions there.

[The_Mayor]

If you are seeking employment as an armed guard then you should consider taking some college courses. Warm body security shcmurity companies will take you but the work is boring and the pay is low.

If you desire a position with a reputable security company, be aware that they will probably want to see some higher education in lieu of your poor grades.

In my company for instance, we do a great deal of report writing (documentation), so the company looks for people who hold or are seeking a higher education.

Good Luck to you.. :)

[Queens]

Do you think its possible to get hired by a company to be an armed guard if I had no experience but all the required training?

[3rd_shift]

Do you think its possible to get hired by a company to be an armed guard if I had no experience but all the required training?
Definitely yes.
I really wish you would start off as an unarmed 1st though.
My training has stated more than once to treat armed security posts as if you were unarmed.
In other words don't be a John Wayne type at armed security posts.
You draw your fire-arm only when the prospect of a long court trial is outweighed by your fear of dying from that cocaine/crack laced thug lunging at you from behind a bush with a knife a few feet away..BAM!!! :eek:
Great care is required to be an armed guard with a long and successful career.

The better unarmed posts are usually office buildings with cameras, politics and some paperwork.
There are quite often guys your age working in those type of posts putting themselves through college and often doing thier homework at thier posts there when things quiet down after hours. :)

[Queens]

Do security guards have the right to arrest someone? If not what do they do if someone is causing a problem? Call the cops?

[bumpo]

Do security guards have the right to arrest someone? If not what do they do if someone is causing a problem? Call the cops?

No Security guards cannot arrest. Security guards are not law enforcement. to say otherwise is a crime in itself (in my state)

Yes if there is a problem you cannot control, you call the police.

[N. A. Corbier]

No Security guards cannot arrest. Security guards are not law enforcement. to say otherwise is a crime in itself (in my state)

Yes if there is a problem you cannot control, you call the police.

Security Guards, as private citizens, may have the ability to arrest by private person. In most states, as private citizens, they have the authority to detain, if arrest is prohibited.

This is technically a game of semantics, as arrest and detainment are the same thing: deprivation of freedom of the individual by another for the purposes of remanding them to the state's authority (Police remand to magistrate, private citizens remand to police).

Even if you can control the problem, you may well have to call the police for transport if a crime was committed and you have a prisoner, or to have the person formally barred from the property.

Generally, if the security officer is required to physically intervene to protect his client, he will need the call the police for arrest/transport, recording a trespass, or backup.

[Bill Warnock]

As N.A. correctly points out you have deprived the subject of his freedom of movement, now you must put your communications skills, writing as well as speaking, to good use. You may be called upon to testify at the initial hearing, grand jury and if a true bill is released, the subsequent trial. Depending upon what you seen, it is useless unless you can write a report that is easily understood and testify in the same manner. When appearing as a witness for the state, you will be deposed by the defense and how you conduct yourself will likely determine the outcome, win or lose.
Learn how to write and talk well. It takes patience and practice.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[bumpo]

I call it "covering my butt" ;) .

Good communication, diplomacy , and writing skills is also a huge asset, because it will make the difference between a good day, or a nightmare.

[3rd_shift]

Queens, Trust me on this one.
Go ahead and join the Air Force upon graduation if you can and become an MP.
Your options will really open right up nicely.
Military experience and any relevant experience to the career you want while you were in the military will HUGELY help you in the future. ;)

I took air conditioning and refrigeration class at a junior college.
When I finished it, I couldn't get a job in that field of work for lack of experience. :mad: :doh!:
Had I joined a branch of the military to learn about HVAC service and repair, I would have had the training AND the experience employers are in point of fact looking for. :p

[EMTGuard]

Queens, Trust me on this one.
Go ahead and join the Air Force upon graduation if you can and become an MP.
Your options will really open right up nicely.
Military experience and any relevant experience to the career you want while you were in the military will HUGELY help you in the future. ;)

I took air conditioning and refrigeration class at a junior college.
When I finished it, I couldn't get a job in that field of work for lack of experience. :mad: :doh!:
Had I joined a branch of the military to learn about HVAC service and repair, I would have had the training AND the experience employers are in point of fact looking for. :p
I agree. Good luck.

[N. A. Corbier]

Queens, Trust me on this one.
Go ahead and join the Air Force upon graduation if you can and become an MP.
Your options will really open right up nicely.
Military experience and any relevant experience to the career you want while you were in the military will HUGELY help you in the future. ;)

I took air conditioning and refrigeration class at a junior college.
When I finished it, I couldn't get a job in that field of work for lack of experience. :mad: :doh!:
Had I joined a branch of the military to learn about HVAC service and repair, I would have had the training AND the experience employers are in point of fact looking for. :p

Agreed. If, long ago, my school hadn't screwed my credits up and I gravitated away from the AF after missing my DEP date, I'd of probally joined and stayed in career enlisted.

Now days, I plan on joining the Wisconsin Air National Guard as a Security Forces Enlisted, with rank based on experience in the field, if applicable. Its good for you (training, GI Bill, Experience), and its good for your state (Your states NEED ANG/NG members. They're hurting, even the AF is hurting - Regular AF isn't though.), and good for the country (Alot of RAVEN units are ANG now.)