California Security Guard Card

California Security Guard Card

Training Security Guards

Can a PPO Train its Security Guards?

Yes, a PPO can only train security guards who work for the PPO.

PPOs Must Provide Use of Force Training to New Hires

There is no grandfather clause in the updated Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training regulations, which were effective November 30, 2023 per California Code of Regulations Section 643. The Appropriate Use of Force training requirement during an audit will be based upon the date of hire, not when the guard card was issued.

Further, the BSIS recommends that PPOs train any currently employed guards in the in-person Appropriate Use of Force course.  The annual refresher course that includes Appropriate Use of Force topics is not considered as sufficient training because it does not include all Appropriate Use of Force topics and may not have been taken in-person. A guard who completes the new Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training can count the course as their annual refresher.

Note:  Many of the BSIS website pages have not been updated to reflect the changes in the Security Personnel Skills Training Syllabus. However, there is a link on the BSIS home page to a PDF that announces the training requirement changes to include the in-person Appropriate Use of Force training.

“Traditional Classroom Instruction” is defined as instruction where the instructor is physically present with students in a classroom, or on a firing range, and is available to answer student questions while providing the required training. The instructor provides demonstrations and hands-on instruction in order to establish each student’s proficiency as to the course content.

“Non-Traditional Instruction” is defined as instruction that includes, but is not limited to:

  1. The use of internet courses, distance learning, e-learning, or virtual classrooms; and
  2. The use of videos or media-based training modules without in-person instructors

This means that training students remotely via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other video conferencing software does not meet the in-person training requirements.

Here are some examples:

New Use of Force Training Required

Jose is a security guard at Securitas. Jose got his guard card in 2022 when he joined Securitas. In April 2024, he gets a new job at Garda World.  Jose’s training is now incomplete.  Jose must take the new Power to Arrest and Use of Force training. However, his guard card is still valid.

New Use of Force Training Not Required, but Recommended

Jiao is a security guard at Allied Universal Services.  She got her guard card in 2022 when she joined Allied Universal Services.  She remains employed by Allied Universal Services for the next 10 years. She does not need to take the new Power to Arrest and Use of Force training as her date of hire was before November 1, 2023.  However, the BSIS recommends that Jiao complete the entire Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course, including the in-person topics by traditional classroom instruction.

Security Guard Training Records

A guard’s current employer is always 100% responsible for the employee’s training records. Training that did or did not happen at a previous employer is not considered during an audit. What matters during an audit is what guard training the current employer can prove to the BSIS.

A PPO is required to keep training records for any security guards that they employ.  A PPO is responsible to make sure their security guards have completed their required security guard courses per California regulations, including yearly refresher records. A PPO can be fined or have their PPO license revoked by the BSIS if the private patrol operator’s security guards haven’t met all their course requirements. You should retain the education records for 2 years after a security guard leaves your company.

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