Mall Cop - Training

Training

Just as with the police profession, training requirements for the private security industry have evolved over time. For many years security guards were poorly chosen and poorly trained (if at all), partly because security guard companies who contracted with clients in private industry were paid very little for their security guard services. For the most part, contracts were awarded to security guard companies through a competition process and the final selection was often made based on cost rather than the experience or professionalism of the security guard company. That changed drastically on September 11, 2001 when radical Islamic terrorists attacked the United States. The event moved corporate threat concerns to the top of the priority list for most security guard contracts started being awarded based on professionalism. More money was invested in security so more money became available for training of security guards. The term 'security professional' began to surface and large private security companies like Blackwater, USA began offering training services for the private security industry that approached the level of training provided by the military. Security guard companies began paying enough to attract people with significant backgrounds in law enforcement and the military, often in special operations. Training became a big priority throughout the industry and training books authored by experienced security professionals like THE ROLE OF THE SECURITY OFFICER suddenly began appearing on the scene. The trend for more professional, well-trained security officers grew and spread around the world and continues to be improved and fine-tuned to this day. Security officers are no longer considered 'bottom feeders' by military and police officers. Highly paid private security operatives are now being deployed around the world to augment military operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan and this trend is likely to continue due to shortages in personnel in today's mostly volunteer military.