It is necessary to point out that because every city and state is different in their licensures types, requirements to be licensed and the authority given to any speicific license. The 2006-07 U.S. Dept of Labor Handbook on Security Officers is NOT inclusive to what does, does not, may or may not actually exist. It is rather a generalization of the entire industry and makes no distiction between what takes place in one state verses that of another state. The report does, however, point out that some armed security officers are being given special police powers but fails to cite the specific states authorizing these powers.
According to the 2007, report by J. R. Roberts of Security Strategies in Savannah, Georgia the private security industry has a 300% turnover rate and provides very little to no training to security officers, especially in critical areas involving public safety.
Moreover, while the 2001 ASIS Security Officer Training and Selection Manual sought to establish a standards of practice in our industry, which was created by "employers." None currently exists and this is greatly harming both the security profession and security officers alike, because without a standards of practice, we cannot achieve the level of credibility needed to be seen as anything more than "guards", "window dressing", "robo-cops", "rent a cops", and "wannabe's" despite the obvious importance of our work; value of our insight, and the necessity of our presence.
Some argue that the non-existant standards of practice is intentional because to have one would greatly influence the ability of the employer to obtain contracts for services. Outlined in the 2005 "U.S. Producer Price Index for Security Guards and Patrol Services (NAICS 561612)" is the fomula employers use to determine what costs a client will have to pay for services rendered.
It is apparent, therefore, that States having a specific legislative "Act" for security officer operations fair better in way of security officer training, pay, qualifications and credibility, than do States with no legislative Act.
It is equally clear that a greater focus is being placed on the selection of security officers. The "About: Business Security" 2007 article points out several key factors clients need to consider when contemplating hiring private security officer services.
According to the 2007, report by J. R. Roberts of Security Strategies in Savannah, Georgia the private security industry has a 300% turnover rate and provides very little to no training to security officers, especially in critical areas involving public safety.
Moreover, while the 2001 ASIS Security Officer Training and Selection Manual sought to establish a standards of practice in our industry, which was created by "employers." None currently exists and this is greatly harming both the security profession and security officers alike, because without a standards of practice, we cannot achieve the level of credibility needed to be seen as anything more than "guards", "window dressing", "robo-cops", "rent a cops", and "wannabe's" despite the obvious importance of our work; value of our insight, and the necessity of our presence.
Some argue that the non-existant standards of practice is intentional because to have one would greatly influence the ability of the employer to obtain contracts for services. Outlined in the 2005 "U.S. Producer Price Index for Security Guards and Patrol Services (NAICS 561612)" is the fomula employers use to determine what costs a client will have to pay for services rendered.
It is apparent, therefore, that States having a specific legislative "Act" for security officer operations fair better in way of security officer training, pay, qualifications and credibility, than do States with no legislative Act.
It is equally clear that a greater focus is being placed on the selection of security officers. The "About: Business Security" 2007 article points out several key factors clients need to consider when contemplating hiring private security officer services.
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