Looking to be a Security Officer

[olds_cool63]

Hello, all.

Let me introduce myself. I've been in telecommunications for 28 years as a Network Technician. I've decided to leave the industry as I'm just tired of it.

I've always wanted to try law enforcement, so I want to be an armed security officer in the state of AZ.

I researched how to go about getting the guard license. I'm licensed for and own a registered handgun.

So, even though I don't have a back ground, how difficult would it be to get into the industry as well as make a comfortable living?

I know some companies pay pretty low and that's not gonna work for me. Minimum I can work for is $20/hr. Am I being realistic or just optimistic here?

I've gotten my resume`/cover letter out to a few companies. So far all I heard from was one and the salary was way below. I don't mind starting at the bottom and working my way up, but it would have to be a quick path kind of thing. Is this possible?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

[mjw064]

I've always wanted to try law enforcement, so I want to be an armed security officer in the state of AZ.


Maybe you should try to be a law enforcement officer then???? Do you not understand that although the fields are related they are different?

Thats like me saying, I always wanted to be a physician, so I am trying to get a job as a janitor at a hospital.

[olds_cool63]

Maybe you should try to be a law enforcement officer then???? Do you not understand that although the fields are related they are different?

Thats like me saying, I always wanted to be a physician, so I am trying to get a job as a janitor at a hospital.


Yeah, I understand the difference. Poor choice of words on my part.

Do you have anything constructive to add?

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

[HotelSecurity]

I don<t know about where you are from but $20/hour is alot in this industry even for someone with experience. Most contract companies are barely above minimum wage & in house rarely hire.

I agree with MJW. There are too many "want-to-be's" in the industry. Besides, as my signature says for the most part we enforce rules & regulations, not laws.

[Nauticus]

Hello, all.

Let me introduce myself. I've been in telecommunications for 28 years as a Network Technician. I've decided to leave the industry as I'm just tired of it.

I've always wanted to try law enforcement, so I want to be an armed security officer in the state of AZ.

I researched how to go about getting the guard license. I'm licensed for and own a registered handgun.

So, even though I don't have a back ground, how difficult would it be to get into the industry as well as make a comfortable living?

I know some companies pay pretty low and that's not gonna work for me. Minimum I can work for is $20/hr. Am I being realistic or just optimistic here?

I've gotten my resume`/cover letter out to a few companies. So far all I heard from was one and the salary was way below. I don't mind starting at the bottom and working my way up, but it would have to be a quick path kind of thing. Is this possible?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

With no background, you will not make $20/hr.

Remember, people who work armed also have the same certifications as you, but usually more because they've done it longer, AND they have experience.

It's definitely possible to make a comfortable living in security, but you have to be prepared to put in time in an entry level position. You're inexperienced, and there really isn't much more to it then that.

My suggestion would be to continue working where you do now, but start doing part-time in special events. Prove yourself there, and then with that experience, maybe you'll be able to look at a higher position.

[olds_cool63]

Thanks, guys.

That's sound advice which I appreciate.

I can definitely do part time to get my experience built up.
Like I said, I don't mind working my way up, so we'll see how it goes..

Thanks for the info & replies.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

[Sierra 1]

The industry is overloaded with “mom and pop” companies that pay $8-$10 an hour. However, the industry is also overloaded with $8-$10 security officers who: (1) have a GED or high school diploma; (2) no advanced training; and (3) no specific career goals.

You live in Arizona, a state with several large metropolitan areas that probably have a little more to offer. Take a look around your area and pay attention to the public utilities, nuclear power stations, and government installations. Most of these facilities continue to use contract security organizations due to cost, reduction in liability, and operational responsibility (or lack of).

1. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station- located west of Phoenix, AZ. Most utilities located out west pay their Nuclear Security Officers $16.00-$18.00 an hour (starting pay).

2. Federal Reserve Bank- also located in Phoenix, AZ has openings for Federal Reserve Police Officers (starting pay of $35,000+ a year). This is a protective services position, meaning that their primary duty is physical security or protection of federal assets.

3. Federal Court Houses- located in Phoenix and Tucson, use contract security companies that pay $14.00- $20.00 an hour.

I do not know your location, but your neighboring state (New Mexico) has several U.S. DOE facilities (Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Sandia). DOE Security Police Officers are employed by private security firms and earn an average salary of $75,000.00 + a year. This position requires experience in law enforcement, military (combat arms, security forces or military police preferred), or a college degree.

Arizona also has its share of advanced (private) training facilities including Gunsite, Maricopa Tactical, and Morrigan Consulting. Invest in a descent tactical handgun or shotgun class and build up your resume. Most full-time law enforcement officers do not have this level of training. You may also want to look into becoming and NRA handgun or personal defense instructor. NRA instructor trainers are located throughout the country and offer these classes often.

Good Luck……………………

[BailBondInvestigator]

I don't wanna' zing ya' like someone else did but......you have a woeful misunderstanding of the industry and it's pay practices. Honestly...you should look into somethinbg else because what the guys here aren't saying (along with their suggestions on how to "work your way up" to that rate) is how long it will/can take. You may be used to a certain amount of money and have the experience, in your field, to command it...here it is a different story. You do not bring anything to the table to warrant $20/hour.

[HotelSecurity]

The industry is overloaded with “mom and pop” companies that pay $8-$10 an hour. However, the industry is also overloaded with $8-$10 security officers who: (1) have a GED or high school diploma; (2) no advanced training; and (3) no specific career goals.

You live in Arizona, a state with several large metropolitan areas that probably have a little more to offer. Take a look around your area and pay attention to the public utilities, nuclear power stations, and government installations. Most of these facilities continue to use contract security organizations due to cost, reduction in liability, and operational responsibility (or lack of).

1. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station- located west of Phoenix, AZ. Most utilities located out west pay their Nuclear Security Officers $16.00-$18.00 an hour (starting pay).

2. Federal Reserve Bank- also located in Phoenix, AZ has openings for Federal Reserve Police Officers (starting pay of $35,000+ a year). This is a protective services position, meaning that their primary duty is physical security or protection of federal assets.

3. Federal Court Houses- located in Phoenix and Tucson, use contract security companies that pay $14.00- $20.00 an hour.

I do not know your location, but your neighboring state (New Mexico) has several U.S. DOE facilities (Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Sandia). DOE Security Police Officers are employed by private security firms and earn an average salary of $75,000.00 + a year. This position requires experience in law enforcement, military (combat arms, security forces or military police preferred), or a college degree.

Arizona also has its share of advanced (private) training facilities including Gunsite, Maricopa Tactical, and Morrigan Consulting. Invest in a descent tactical handgun or shotgun class and build up your resume. Most full-time law enforcement officers do not have this level of training. You may also want to look into becoming and NRA handgun or personal defense instructor. NRA instructor trainers are located throughout the country and offer these classes often.

Good Luck……………………

You forget. He wrote that he has been working at his other profession for 28 years. If he started working at 18 that would make him 46. I doubt any of the places you mentioned would hire a 46 year old with no previous experience.

[N. A. Corbier]

You're asking for a technician's rate. This isn't a skilled position you're trying for. There is no A+, CCNA, MCSE, etc. You don't have to know anything special to do this.

You are attempting to shift from a skilled engineering job to unskilled labor. $20.00 minimum is easy to get if you're a certified network engineer, that's journeyman's pay.

If you're a security guard, that's what the company is making in many cases, not the guard.

[olds_cool63]

All good info and advice.

Guess I have some thinking to do.

Thanks again for the responses.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

[talon]

Hello, all.

Let me introduce myself. I've been in telecommunications for 28 years as a Network Technician. I've decided to leave the industry as I'm just tired of it.

I've always wanted to try law enforcement, so I want to be an armed security officer in the state of AZ.

I researched how to go about getting the guard license. I'm licensed for and own a registered handgun.

So, even though I don't have a back ground, how difficult would it be to get into the industry as well as make a comfortable living?

I know some companies pay pretty low and that's not gonna work for me. Minimum I can work for is $20/hr. Am I being realistic or just optimistic here?

I've gotten my resume`/cover letter out to a few companies. So far all I heard from was one and the salary was way below. I don't mind starting at the bottom and working my way up, but it would have to be a quick path kind of thing. Is this possible?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

Where are you at in AZ?

[Sgt.Campbell]

If you have the ability to communicate well and are organized, it may behoove you to find out whther your local college offers a degree in security management. This may take 2 to 4 years, but if you are patient, it should pay off. Security is one of those unique industries that thrives off of economic downturns, especially loss prevention (even though many companies like Home Depot and Mervyn's are laying off folk and folding, there ar still other niche markets that survive, such as grocery and imperfect clothing retailers like Ross and Kohl's).

Most folk on here have started at the bottom, but the one thing the security field certainly lack is maturity, which would be an excellent asset that you will bring to the table. Don't settle for a dog watch position with some company. Use your backgraound as a network technician -- head into loss prevention management where you will be able to research and implement analytics (software and video), initiate POS security protocols, strategize with regional managers on how best to secure stores based on dempgraphics -- it can be a fun and very rewarding career, both societally and financially.

Or, if that's not your bag, try the contract security side, where you could sell and manage accounts, research and implement patrol techniques (including guard tour equipment), consult sites on the best methods of securing their properties, etc.

Just see what you can gain through your local college. The security management field, though unarmed in most cases, pays far better than starting from scratch. Don't settle -- go for broke (though not literally, of course)!

[olds_cool63]

SGT. Campbell...that is some GREAT advice.

I've got some resume's/apps out there, but this puts me in a whole new direction

Thank you very much!

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

[talon]

Maybe you should try to be a law enforcement officer then???? Do you not understand that although the fields are related they are different?

Thats like me saying, I always wanted to be a physician, so I am trying to get a job as a janitor at a hospital.

+1 on that mjw.

20 bucks an hour in AZ is almost unheard of. I did a contract gig down there making that for a year but it was GSA.

I say find another line of work related to what you already know. I'm afraid that the security business may be a shock to your system.

[talon]

+1 on that mjw.

20 bucks an hour in AZ is almost unheard of. I did a contract gig down there making that for a year but it was GSA.

I say find another line of work related to what you already know. I'm afraid that the security business may be a shock to your system.

Sorry, I didn't realize that this was an old, dead thread that was resurrected.

Bottom line...forget security.

[FireRanger]

Hello, all.

Let me introduce myself. I've been in telecommunications for 28 years as a Network Technician. I've decided to leave the industry as I'm just tired of it.

I've always wanted to try law enforcement, so I want to be an armed security officer in the state of AZ.

I researched how to go about getting the guard license. I'm licensed for and own a registered handgun.

So, even though I don't have a back ground, how difficult would it be to get into the industry as well as make a comfortable living?

I know some companies pay pretty low and that's not gonna work for me. Minimum I can work for is $20/hr. Am I being realistic or just optimistic here?

I've gotten my resume`/cover letter out to a few companies. So far all I heard from was one and the salary was way below. I don't mind starting at the bottom and working my way up, but it would have to be a quick path kind of thing. Is this possible?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Nuff said.

olds_cool63 :cool:

Honestly, I think you are asking for too much to start out in Security, I work in Northern Colorado as a Site Supervisor and only make $15.50 an hour. That is at an unarmed account, the local mobile company who uses only armed officers starts their guys out at $9 to $10 an hour depending upon experience. In addition the local ATM and armored truck types start around the same. Now granted, we have a lower cost of living then say Phoenix does, so that may influence the pay rates, but I doubt the pay rates would be that different.

If you really truely want $20 an hour, you will need experience and as was said earlier in this post working PT is one way to do that. I would also suggest you find out what companies have federal and state government contracts and find out what they look for and then build your resume up towards that. Federal work, even for contracts usually pays much better then private security, and it usually has better benefits to go with it.

[N. A. Corbier]

Guys... Its from last year. I don't think we need a post string stating the obvious to a guy from last year.