How to become an armed security guard?

[cmwoodruff]

I received an email from a family member saying that there was a hiring event for security guards in Dallas tomorrow, but I'm not able to go. I am curious about how you go about getting a job as an armed security guard though. I looked on several websites, and I know you have to be certified, but I am confused about how you actually go about it. Most of the job listings state that you have to already be certified to apply. When you look on the DPS website forms, you need to list the organization that you are employed with, but when you're applying for employment you already need to be certified?

Has anyone gone through this process? If so, can you tell me how I would go about making this happen?

[EEllis]

You can go about things in a couple of ways. If you need a job now the get an unarmed security position and make sure the company, because not all do armed work, will submit you for a commision. Then in your spare time take the commission course and have the company put in for your commission. The course is 40 hours and it can take 60 days or more for the licence to come thru. Then again it could be 2 weeks. You can also take the commission course and then go looking for a company to hire you and have them put in the paperwork at that time. If you want to get your commision before working and don't mind waiting 2 months most schools that are affiliated with a company will at least put you on paper as an employee to get your commision processed if you pay all the fees. Even if they didn't have a job open it gives them a pool of officers to pull from and encourage you to take the class from their school. Just check with them before committing and unless you come off as someone they would never ever want to work with under any circumstances, like thinking you are crazy, it shouldn't be a problem. For most employers you need your commision, full duty rig, correct footwear and firearm. Sometimes you may even need to purchase your uniform yourself before employment tho most will at least do payroll deductions for uniform. You also may need to to take extra classes to be able to carry OC spray and baton. There is always a market and you will find that if you have some experience and professional appearance and demeanor you will always be able to find work but realize it will not be well paying. There are vanishing few good jobs in the security industry. Most no long have benefits of any kind and there are large numbers of really sketchy small companies that will put your life at risk or have you break the law and leave you hanging. Then again it's easier than digging ditches for a living.

[cmwoodruff]

My family already has good benefits through my wife's job, and honestly, we don't really need the extra money. I am really just looking for something that I might find interesting and different to pass time and earn a little extra money until I finish with my degree. I don't think that I would want to do unarmed security around the Dallas/Fort Worth area.. I would only feel comfortable if I was armed. Being a security guard is litteraly looking for bad things to happen.. lol.

It seems like something that I would like to do, but it does kinda suck that you have to invest so much into it when it doesn't really pay that well. It doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. I will definitely have to think about this one...

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it greatly.

[EEllis]

No problem. As to the unarmed being "riskier" if you will most of the time it's not. Unarmed security may be the guy working desk in a blazer in a downtown building. Hospital, high rise, access gate at an industrial complex. These are not particularly dangerous and in most cases you are not expected to do anything dangerous. It shouldn't even be called security because an usher or receptionist could do the same job but seeing uniforms makes people feel better. Honestly armed security is much more dangerous because people expect more from you and will put you in situations that they otherwise wouldn't but also because officers will go into situations armed that unarmed officers wouldn't because the gun makes them feel better about the risk. As to the pay to be honest if you don't need the money then you are more likely to find a better paying job. The issue with so many security officers is the they just "get by" so they grab the first job that comes by. There are a few better paying gigs and since you don't need bennies that makes it even better. Security is great for part time and shift work and most jobs leave you plenty of time for reading or study. That and you should never have to worry about finding work. It may not be the best paying job but there are always security jobs even in the worst economy.