Training Programme for Security Guards

The Programme topics

1: Introduction to the Security Industry
2: Basic Security Procedures
3: Report Writing
4: Emergency Response Preparation
5: Effective Communications
6: Sensitivity Training
7: First Aid

The Programme duration

40 hours

Introduction to the Security Industry

The programme provides a summary of the principal duties and responsibilities necessary to work
effectively in the security industry. Security guards will learn to interpret and comply with the legal
requirements of their occupation as well as identify job roles and responsibilities.

▪ Describe and compare the different jobs in the security industry (e.g. private investigation, law
enforcement, security services, loss prevention, and patrol services)
▪ Describe the occupation of a security guard with respect to the knowledge, skills, and abilities
needed to perform well
▪ Describe the job specifications, activities, and demands of a security guard (e.g. travel, off-hours,
stress, risks, dangers, etc.)

Basic Security Procedures

Security guards need to respond to changes in their environment, which includes actions such as
traffic movement, ensuring the safety of persons between and within locations, monitoring and
managing the access and departure of persons and vehicles and observing and monitoring people.
Security guards need to be aware of the correct way to deal with these situations. The programme
provides security guards with the knowledge and skills to assess the security of physical
environments, to apply basic aspects of security in their roles and to assess the impact of drug use in
the context of safety for oneself and others.
1. Describe and explain surveillance and address the following surveillance techniques:
▪ Observing the physical environment
▪ Attending to environmental details
▪ Situational awareness
2. Describe the basic elements of security and include the following:
▪ Access control
▪ Crowd control
▪ Vehicle control and legal authority to perform traffic control duties
▪ Shift handover
3. Discuss drug effects, substance abuse and related drug paraphernalia
▪ Relate signs of substance abuse and withdrawal including physical and psychological consequences
Surveillance
Security guards will be called upon to observe the physical environment for changes and suspicious
behaviour. This objective is typically achieved by conducting an in-person or remote surveillance of
the physical environment. Security guards are expected to notice and monitor minor changes in
order to make sound decisions when devising a plan of action. The programme focuses on:
-making
izing patterns (situational awareness)

Observing and monitoring individuals, identifying and responding to potential threats, different
types of patrolling and loss prevention will be discussed.
Basic Elements of Security
Security guards are required to manage individuals, vehicles and materials in a safe and polite
manner while assessing a situation for threats and incidents. The programme addresses the
following basic elements of security:
1. Access control

personnel when there is a breach of security

2. Crowd control

3. Vehicle control
affic on company property or on public roads in emergencies

4. Shift handover procedures

next person on shift
Drug Effects
Security guards may encounter individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They need to be
aware of the signs of substance abuse as well as the impact of different drugs on human behaviour
(e.g. suspect going through withdrawal) in order to deal with these individuals in a manner that will
ensure personal safety as well as that of the suspect. The programme discusses different types of
drugs and paraphernalia, the impact of using different drugs on human behaviour and how to
address individual behaviour depending on the type of substance abuse.

Guards
 Report Writing
Security guards are required to complete written reports of occurrences, duties performed, and
comprehensive descriptions of their tasks/observances. Security guards will learn how to write
reports that are objective and standardized.

1. Discuss the following elements of report writing:

▪ How to record relevant factual data and circumstances in a notebook
▪ The different types and purposes of reports
▪ Recognizing legal implications of reports and confidentiality
▪ Incorporating who, what, where, when, why and how in report writing
▪ How to take a statement
▪ Identifying the appropriate method of communication to report an issue

Security guards are required to write a variety of reports for different audiences. It is imperative that
reports are written in a clear, standardized format to ensure information is conveyed accurately and
without bias. The programme discusses:
▪ The importance of using a notebook and the rules and format for taking accurate notes
▪ Different types of reports depending on the situation (e.g. incident, use of force, witness
statements)
▪ The basic elements of report writing (e.g. date, time, location, actions/behaviours, description of
individuals, observations, time of completion, etc.)
▪ Content of reports (e.g. factual information only)
▪ The legal implications of reports (e.g. necessary for audits or evidence in court)
▪ The difference between statements and reports
▪ How to properly distribute reports (e.g. problems with e-mailing confidential reports)

Emergency Response Preparation

Security guards are expected to respond to emergencies and to minimize the impact caused at a
worksite. They may be required to perform a variety of duties during emergency procedures and
must understand the importance of scene management. The programme will address the potential
roles of a security guard during an emergency and how to effectively complete these tasks.

1. Identify the following criteria of a potential emergency:

2. Describe the following emergency response procedures:

n fire emergency response procedures

3. Explain the potential roles of a security guard in emergencies

4. Detail how to implement duty of care
Emergency
Security guards may encounter emergencies at a worksite. They will need to accurately identify the
risk factors associated with fire threats, bomb threats, weapon emergencies, suspicious packages,
and explosive devices and learn how to respond appropriately. A security guard must be familiar
with and how to protect individuals and property associated with an assignment (i.e. contain,
activate, and evacuate). In addition to emergency responses, the programme includes an overview
of the basic principles of prevention and safety.
Emergency Response Procedures
Security guards must be comfortable when responding to emergencies, familiar with different
emergency procedures and must coordinate these procedures with organizational requirements
and/or other personnel. Understanding the need for emergency response procedures and following
the emergency response plan for a given site is vital to the security guard role. Security guards will
learn instruction on the following:

associated with response procedures (e.g. fire extinguisher, sprinkler systems)

s for emergency services and provide necessary details.

Potential Roles of a Security Guard during an Emergency
Security guards may be required to fulfil different roles during an emergency. They may have to
assist other personnel (including police, fire, and ambulance) or take the lead in responding to the
emergency. Security guards must be able to work alongside other personnel and quickly and
accurately understand their role in a given situation. They must recognize when an emergency is
beyond the scope of their job specifications and requires additional assistance.
Security guards will obtain an overview of the relationships in the security industry, including a
matrix with job titles, descriptions, responsibilities and the link between them to help security
guards understand when a situation is beyond their scope and who to contact in specific
emergencies.
Duty of Care
Security guards need to be familiar with the concept of duty of care (what a reasonable person
should do in a particular situation) and be capable of securing and protecting a crime scene until the
appropriate personnel arrive. The programme reviews the circumstances that require duty of care
and instructs how to secure and protect a crime scene or sentinel event scene.
Evidence Handling Techniques
Security guards protect evidence that may be used in court. The security guards will learn how to
collect, preserve, and present admissible evidence in court while preventing the evidence from
becoming contaminated. Concepts will include an introduction to the process and protocols for
handling evidence, including:

- Collect
- Secure
- Preserve
- Identify
- Continuity
- Log
Handling Information
Security guards frequently deal with the collection, storage, dissemination and destruction of
information. The programme discusses the procedures and regulations with respect to managing
information and explains how to keep information secure.
Curriculum Security Guards
Effective Communications
Security guards encounter a wide range of situations and are required to act professionally under all
circumstances. The programme reviews the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to
adapt to different environments/scenarios and to diffuse situations when required. The importance
of usi g o u i atio to o e’s ad a tage should e e phasized.
Communication Skills
1. Discuss the following oral and written communication skills:
▪ Adjusting a communication style to accommodate an audience or situation
▪ Using verbal and non-verbal feedback
▪ Using effective and appropriate language in oral and written communication
▪ Writing legibly and clearly (e.g. minimal spelling, grammar or typographical errors)
▪ Effectively communicating main ideas orally and in writing
▪ Avoiding personal bias/opinion when communicating
▪ Asking probing questions to obtain information
▪ Conveying oral information accurately
▪ Writing accurate reports
2. Explain tactical communication
▪ Adjusting behaviour/demeanour (e.g. passive vs. aggressive) based on an individual or situation
Interpersonal Skills
3. Discuss the following interpersonal skills:
▪ Demonstrating sensitivity/empathy to others (e.g. different cultures, persons with disabilities,
human rights issues, mental health issues)
▪ Establishing a rapport with a variety of people for the purpose of building trusting relationships
▪ Diffusing, avoiding and managing difficult interpersonal relationships and/or potential conflict
▪ Being assertive yet professional when interacting with the public
Communication Skills
Security guards must provide clear and concise information. Their position requires them to
communicate with a wide array of individuals both orally and in writing and to obtain information
from sources that may be unwilling. The programme addresses active listening, effective writing and
note taking.
Tactical Communication
Security guards may need to utilize tactical communication during the course of their assignments.
They must maintain their composure and adjust their behaviour to suit the individual and situation.
The programme explains the principles of tactical communication (both verbal and non-verbal,
including posture, tone, assertiveness, spatial distance, eye contact, facial expressions) and de-
escalation techniques with progressive intervention steps.
Interpersonal Skills
Security guards often interact with a variety of individuals during the course of their duties. Their
conduct is vital to the professional image of the security industry as a whole. The programme
describes proper conduct and deportment, how to adapt quickly to different situations and how to
perform duties in a culturally appropriate manner. Security guards should be able to scan for
potential problems and act in a preventative way to avoid any escalation of events.

Sensitivity Training
Security guards often interact with the public on a daily basis. It is important they approach
individuals with respect to avoid any biases that may impact how they interrelate with others.
The programme addresses prejudices against ethnic backgrounds, persons with mental or physical
disabilities and gender and sexual orientation.

The programme discusses the following issues:

1. Re og izi g o e’s o iases a d des ri i g ho these a i flue e situatio s
2. Recognizing the impact of mental, physical, cultural and sexual differences on situational dynamics

Security guards may be required to interact with diverse groups of individuals on a regular basis. The
programme introduces the concept of respect for differences, identifies potential issues that may
arise when dealing with a variety of people (e.g. communication difficulties, misinterpretation of
gestures) and how to approach individuals in a way that minimizes miscommunication.

First Aid
First aid training is a requirement of the basic training program for security guards.

1. The Programme covers the following topics:

▪ Emergency Scene Management
▪ Shock, Unconsciousness and Fainting
▪ Choking – Adult
▪ Severe Bleeding
▪ One Rescuer CPR – Adult.