subject: Do You Want To Become A Security Guard? [print this page] The requirements for security guards vary according to the state or jurisdiction. Many aspiring law enforcement students, trainees and professionals are over qualified for this job, as a matter of fact. The problem is that being a security guard is not one of those jobs that are looked kindly upon by people. There are those who discriminate this job, despite the obvious advantages it has over other jobs. In fact, some security duty pays much better than the typical law enforcement jobs. In order to guide you to this process, this article talks about security guard training and how to become one.
First of all, if you're a part of a security detail, you would have a more relaxed job description. Full law enforcement certified jobs would demand much more of you than being a security guard. Most of the time, security guards have less power over people, and less authority to impose the laws. Their only job is to protect the person they are working for. Sometimes, though, they will be given certain privileges that ordinary security guards don't have. This will, of course, depend on the status of the person they work for.
Security guards require specialized training, too, but not as strictly as do law enforcers. The criteria for becoming a security guard are much looser. However, you must still remember that these criteria will vary depending on the environment the security detail will be assigned at. For example, in a research facility that uses highly advanced security monitoring mechanisms and surveillance devices, simple security guards need to become highly trained security agents. They will have to undergo special training on how to operate the lock mechanisms, the surveillance mechanisms and all the other equipment used in the job.
The job of the security guard varies greatly. Normally, a person would think that a security guard is only that guy with the gun, who isn't a police. That's very different from the real thing; a security guard could have a job that is more dangerous than a law enforcer, a salary that is way bigger and privileges that ordinary law enforcement agents could only dream of.
The minimum requirements of becoming a security guard include education and age. A person has to be, at the very least, 18 years of age to qualify for this position. In addition to that, the person must have attended high school, or any equivalent educational background. Although experience in the law enforcement duty is not required, nor is training, having been employed as a law enforcer would greatly boost your chances of getting hired. However, this might be seen as a demotion by some people. Keep a clear head always and look at it based on the pay scale. Security duty usually pays much higher than law enforcement duty.
