If you’re one of the many New Yorkers who have a desire and drive to be a part of that security solution, then security guard training is a must. However, it’s important to get the right kind of security guard training in Brooklyn. In this post, we’ll help you better understand the necessary training requirements to be a licensed security guard in New York City.
8hr Security Guard Training in Brooklyn
If you’re truly interested in becoming a security guard, everything begins with an 8-hour pre-assignment course. This essential training is required for all armed and unarmed security guards in New York and prepares you for a more comprehensive on-the-job training course. During this initial training, you’ll be exposed to a variety of topics, including:
What You’ll Learn in Your 8-hr Pre-Assignment Security Guard Class
- The important role every security guard plays in the protection of life and property
- Strategies for managing emergencies and other unforeseen incidents
- A guard’s powers and legal limitations
- Guard ethics and expected conduct
- Procedures for managing access control
- Public relations and other communications best practices
- Proper report-writing
- Other relevant instruction to prepare you for the job
To pass the class, you’ll need to score at least 70 percent on the test given at the end of instruction. When you pass, you receive the Certificate of Completion, which is just one of a number of documents you will need when you apply for your license. It’s also important to note that you’ll need to take a refresher course each year as well.
Optional Firearms Training for Armed Security Guards
If you plan on working for an employer who wants armed security, then you’ll also need to complete a 47-hour firearms course. That course includes both classroom and firing range training designed to ensure that you are proficient with the use of a pistol. You will also need to obtain your New York pistol license, and then complete an annual in-service training course to maintain your license status.
16hr On-the-Job Security Guard Training Course
Within 90 days of completing your 8hr pre-assignment course, you will need to complete your 16hr on-the-job training. As the name suggests, this course must be completed on a work site. Naturally, the purpose of the course is to give you immersive experience as a security guard and reinforce the lessons learned in your pre-assignment training. The first-hand experience will ensure that you have an even deeper understanding of your role as a security guard.
The course covers many of the same topics you learned about in your pre-assignment course. And like that course, there is an exam given when you complete the training. Again, you will need a score of at least 70 percent on that exam to officially complete the training.
Getting Your License
Once you have our certificate, you can begin the process of applying for your license. The best security guard training schools provide resources to help you with this process. There are forms that need to be completed and documents that need to be provided to get your license. All of that information, along with any required license fees, will need to be submitted to the New York State Division of Licensing Services.
Critical Skills You Will Want to Learn to be Successful
While some applicants view security guard jobs as an opportunity to take risks and live dangerously, that’s a far cry from reality. In the real world, security guards are there to protect property and keep people safe. While that may sometimes require a reasonable use of force, the best option is always to minimize the risk of violence. Your training should help you learn or enhance the following skills:
- Situational awareness. One of the easiest ways to avoid danger is to learn to recognize its warning signs.
- Good communication skills. Most people fail to understand just how powerful good communication skills can be when it comes to dealing with emergencies. An air of confidence, combined with an authoritative delivery, can almost always help to calm a tense situation.
- De-escalation. If you’re one of those people who invariably makes a bad situation worse, this might not be the right career for you. The best guards focus on de-escalating situations. Their goal is to provide a calm, steadying presence that helps to minimize any need to use force.
- Security guards are required to deal with a variety of unique situations every day. The best guards adapt to their circumstances while maintaining strict adherence to their project guidelines.
- An appreciation for technology. Modern security relies on technology to more effectively protect people and property. You should welcome those tools, learn how to use them properly, and make them a part of your personal commitment to excellence.
What’s the Best Security Guard Training in Brooklyn?
Obviously, you will want to ensure that you get the best security guard training to ensure that you’re ready for your new career. Of course, no two training schools are exactly alike, so it’s vital to pick one that can provide the skills you need. In New York City, that choice is clear: International Security Services, Inc. Our team has the expertise and experience you need to hit the ground running, with training provided by true professionals who have been approved by the state to train the next generation of security experts. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you launch your career as an invaluable New York City security guard.
