The nation deserves a national security certification and licensing program
Howard E. Johannssen
Fortunately, industry is developing the necessary hardware and software to accomplish our objectives. Workable security strategies, policies and procedures are not new to our culture and have been implemented or reinvented with robust efficiency. However, training and availably of the human element is deficient. The nation must insist on more than just minimum qualifications. There is a need for elevated requirements for security professionals and better training to discharge their duties.
The only way to successfully address the human factor issue is by a combined security officer certification and licensing effort of federal, state and local governments as well as the private sector.
The development of a national program of education, training and licensing will produce a stream of capable, knowledgeable and proficient security officers to meet the demands of airports, seaports, military installations, government facilities and other industrial elements. This is essential to meeting the objectives of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
We learned from the tragedy of the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon and Hurricane Katrina that there is a need to build and have available a qualified security force when catastrophic incidents occur. This can only happen if we develop standards, qualifications and functional abilities in a trained, certified and licensed work force.
The people we once knew as watchmen, guards or security employees are no longer serving in those traditional roles. Their charge to "observe and report" does not meet present day realities. They have become first responders, the first to appear on the scene. The role of security officer is no longer static deterrence, but dynamic in nature. The action or inaction of today’s security officers can make the difference between life and death. The human factors in protecting life, limb and property have changed. We must train personnel charged with these critical functions.
This idea is not a new one. Several states have initiated certification and licensing programs. The problem is that they are not standardized programs, but continue to be individual efforts that are unsupported on a national scale. Many states have few or no such programs. A national program that established standards for qualifications and licensing would resolve the individual attempts to produce a quality workforce.
The security industry perspective is also troublesome as it relates to available sources for qualified security officers. Individual training programs organized by various employers vary greatly. Companies that are granted SAFETY Act certification and designation must, by the very nature of the requirements of the Act, demonstrate exceptional ability to provide security and protective operations.
More often than not, to meet such standards, companies must recruit, hire and train security officers in-house. Many do not make the grade and only a small percentage ever demonstrate the ability to perform security functions to the Act’s standards. The investment required for in-house training programs is expensive and time consuming. Companies often complete the successful training of security officers only to watch the new graduates leave for other positions with competitors. Therefore, we must find better ways
Fortunately, we have numerous options. Colleges, universities and private programs throughout the country have stepped up their security curricula. However, these multi-faceted programs are not without problems. They are not standardized and they do not produce the verifiable skills necessary to meet present security demands.
Therefore, we must implement a national certification and license standard to enable educators and trainers to produce a capable and qualified workforce from which companies, government and industry can recruit. To do anything less is foolish.
It is estimated that security officer positions in the U.S. will grow by more than 350,000 during the coming decade. Due to elevated threats of terrorism, the new reality is that most security officers are required to be armed and have bomb-threat and emergency crisis training; especially those located in airports, seaports, government facilities and other essential facilities. In fact, more and more shopping malls, schools and other areas where the public congregates are also calling for elevated levels of security and civilian protection.
Simply said, security officers who protect our nation must be adequately trained and have the required ability to discharge their duties. This can come about only if we foster an educational process that produces certified and licensed security officers.
Howard E. Johannssen is senior advisor to the president of the International Union of Police Security and Fire Professionals of America and president of the National Alliance of Police, Security and Correction Organizations. He can be contacted at:
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