Training for security guards was mandated by the Security Guard Act of 1992. The Act requires that all security guards complete three training courses. Armed guards are required to complete two additional training courses. All courses must be conducted at approved training schools, by certified instructors. The Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety provides administrative oversight for private security training in New York State.

 

A security guard as defined in Article 7A of the General Business Law [§89-f (6)] is a person (other than an active police officer) employed in NYS to principally perform one or more of the following duties, and the person is not performing the functions of a private investigator as defined in Section 71 of Article 7 of the General Business Law:

 

• protection of persons and/or property from harm, theft, and/or unlawful activity;

• deterrence, observation, detection, and/or reporting unlawful or unauthorized activity;

• street patrol service;

• response to, but not installation or service of, a security system alarm.

 

Guards who carry firearms are required to complete a 47 Hour Firearms Training Course before they can be licensed as an armed security guard. This course includes seven hours of classroom instruction in the Use of Force (NYS Penal Law Art. 35) followed by a written examination, and 40 hours on the firing range followed by weapons qualification. Upon successful completion of this course the guard is issued a training certificate. This certificate must accompany the security guard's registration application when submitted to the Department of State.

 

Armed guards must also complete an 8 Hour Annual Firearms Training Course which includes three hours of classroom refresher on the Use of Force followed by a written examination, and five hours of weapons qualification which includes a proficiency examination. The guard must complete this course as a prerequisite for renewal of his or her armed guard registration.

 

Prerequisites:

• A valid NYS Pistol Permit

• A valid NYS Security Guard License

Course also includes:

• All classroom and  range instruction

• Targets

• Course completion certificate

Students should bring:

• A safe operational firearm

• 600 rounds of ammunition (47 hour course)

• 200 rounds of ammunition (8 hour annual)

• Eye and ear protection

• Baseball style cap

• A quality strong side hip holster

• A quality belt

• 2 or more magazine pouches