Protection Officers Training - Assignment Example

Running Head: Protection Officers Training A Proposal for Training A Personal Protection Unit The scenario given is that I am a personal protection consultant who has been asked to develop a proposal for training a recently formed personal protection unit. In this regard, this essay would present and describe the training required for the unit, as well as the rationale for training. Introduction The scope and responsibilities of protection officers are under the jurisdiction of their legal authorities different from public law enforcement officers. Wilt (2003) averred that “the vast majority of protection officers obtain their authority from their employer or client. The protection officer has no more authority than a private citizen; thereby, the state statutes and local ordinances of their employment location define the legal restrictions that apply to their position.” (p.249) In this regard, the kind and requirements of training are tailored to their responsibilities as safeguards of the resources of an organization. The scenario given is that as a personal protection consultant who has been tasked to develop a proposal for training a recently formed personal protection unit, present the areas which need to be covered in training. In this regard, this essay would describe the training required for the unit, as well as the rationale for training. Training Objectives An endeavor serves a specific purpose. Training a newly formed unit of protection officers aim to contribute to the achievement of the organization’s goals by ensuring safety and security of the resources of the company. Generally, the training would make protection officers aware and inculcate the code of ethics for protection officers, to wit: (1) respond to employer’s professional needs; (2) exhibit exemplary conduct; (3) protect confidential information; (4) maintain a safe and secure workplace; (5) dress to create professionalism; (6) enforce all lawful rules and regulations; (7) encourage liaison with public officers; (8) develop good rapport within the profession; (9) strive to attain professional competence; and (10) attain high standards of officer ethics. (IFPO, 2008, p. 4) Areas To Be Covered The scope of the training should be comprehensive enough to enable to protection officers to be aware of all the facets of security management. The areas to be covered and discussed during the training are as follows: Evolution of Asset Protection & Security ; Field Notes & Report Writing; Observation Skills & Memory; Patrol Principles; Safety; Traffic Control Procedures; Crowd Control Management; Crime Scene Procedures; Physical Security Planning; Computer Security; Explosive Devices, Bomb Threats, and Search Procedures; Basic Alarm Systems; Fire Prevention and Detection; Hazardous Materials; Strikes, Lockouts, and Labor Relations; Emergency Planning; Terrorism and VIP Protection; Interviewing Techniques; Crisis Intervention; Security Awareness; Security Investigations; Employee Dishonesty; Legal Aspects of Security; The Protection Officer and the Law; First Aid for Security Officers; Workplace Violence; Effective Communications; Operational Risk Management; Environmental Crime Control Theory; Weapons of Mass Destruction; Foundations for Surveillance; Defense Tactics & Officer Safety; and Apprehension and Detention Procedures. (IFPO 2008) Methodology An effective training should utilize various forms of instructional methods and materials to assist and guide the protection officers in learning and absorbing the theories, concepts and applications of the training course. It is relevant to use the correct combination of educational methods since this training would prepare the officers in the actual work environment. Therefore, the training should provide methods that are closely related to actual events to develop skills and tactics for future eventualities. The following methods are hereby recommended: Orientation to the Course, Introduction of Participants and Trainors, Presentation of Course Coverage and Time Frame, Lecture and Discussion, Subject Tests and Examinations after every unit, Group Activities and Presentation, Individual Examinations. The orientation is required to present the methodology and solicit expectations from participants of the training course. The introduction of participants would enable both trainors and protection officers to be familiarized with each other. This is relevant because there are learning inputs which could be sourced from actual experiences of participants. Presentation of areas to be covered as well as the specific time frame should be provided for time management and to assess the developments in class discussion. Each unit or topic would initially be discussed through lecture and discussion method. However, the trainor could opt to utilize the participants to either engage in group activities or group reports to enforce learning and to make the discussions more interesting and lively. The most important part is to determine if the protection officers understand or absorb the theories imparted through constant and regular quizzes or examinations. Learning Environment A classroom, meeting room or a conference room with chairs and tables should be provided for training. It should be free from visual or audible distractions, comfortable enough that one can relax yet not fall asleep or lose focus, have ample lighting and is able to accommodate learning aids. Instructional Materials The classroom should be equipped with the necessary instructional materials to relay theories, concepts and applications of each unit at the most effective means. There should be white boards, projectors, slides, and videotapes which could be utilized for the lecture portion of the course. According to Rossetti (2008), “creating scenarios to be dealt with on lessons previously learned is another good way for both employees to use what they have learned and for the instructors to evaluate learning. This also allows the learning to be tailored to an individual environment.” Rationale for Training As a newly formed protection unit, training is required most by the employer to ensure that the security officers are equipped with the necessary skills for them to do their duties. However, the benefits are garnered most by the trainees who would gain substantial knowledge in protection and security management. By completing the training, the protection officers would be accorded their specific certifications making them Certified Protection Officers. Rossetti (2008) emphasized that “for the employer the knowledge that they have an effective, well trained and skilled security force that, when needed, will be able to respond to challenging situations with competence and professionalism is one less worry. The employee gains the benefits of a higher level of training at low cost, confidence in his skills, the performance of his job, and an internationally recognized title to associate himself with.” Emphasis of the Training Course Since protection officers would generally be tasked with safeguarding the resources of the organization, the training would have specific emphasis on the following areas: relations with employees, clients and the public; physical security; safety; fire protection; access control of both persons and packages; employee theft prevention; investigation; developing and initiating emergency plans; traffic control; and crowd management, among others. Relations with employees need to be enhanced for smooth communication and interpersonal contact. The areas of observation skills and memory would also be discussed and presented with this topic. Any strange employee or client and public behavior should be noted and thereby, reporting skills would also be practiced. The area of fire protection is always a priority. In fact, fire drills are always scheduled and required in big organizations to ensure that employees are aware where and how they would act in case of fire. Therefore, protection officers are the prime sources who should be trained in this area since they are the persons to guide and ensure that each employee knows the appropriate action in the event of fire. Access of authorized persons and packages are also extremely critical in every organization. Security management ensures that intrusion of unauthorized personnel is 100% prevented. Protection officers should be oriented in specifically identified locations in the organization which is strictly off-limits to employees and personnel. Therefore, proper measures, techniques and tactics must make the protection officers aware what constitute trespassing. As noted by Wilt (2003), “the protection officer should be familiar with state statutes and local ordinances concerning trespass to assure that he or she is acting within the law when dealing with a possible trespass. Generally, the protection officer will not have to arrest a trespasser unless the subject is suspected of or known to have committed other crimes on the property.” (p. 251) Emergency plans are eminently critical in ensuring that businesses create contingency plans for employees’ safety. The training course would assist protection officers in identifying if the organization have created and updated their emergency and contingency plans in disaster scenarios. According to Kirvan (2009), a business continuity planning process contains the following steps, to wit: “project initiation, risk assessment, business impact assessment, strategy development, plan development, plan exercising and maintenance, emergency communications, awareness and training and coordination with public authorities.” (par. 1) In itself, this topic encompasses different aspects of security management which would be developed in the protection officers’ competence through the training course. Traffic control is another topic which would regularly be encountered by protection officers. A travel route within the organization’s premises is of utmost importance to ensure a safe and efficient traffic control for the employees, visitors, and the general public. Through the training module, discussions and applications will provide a consideration of contingency planning and the role of customer information or security management that should assist visitors and the general public in answering inquiries regarding locations and travel routes. With close monitoring and re-routing plans, as required, a smooth travel and traffic control would be assured. Training Applicability As a newly formed protection officers unit, the organization would usually require that the participant would satisfactorily comply with all the requirements of the training course for different purposes. Among the reasons for training are as follows: as a condition of employment; as a condition of retention; to designate different levels of rank; for promotions to supervisors; and for promotion to Investigator, Crimes Prevention Officer or Physical Security Specialist, among others (Rossetti 2008). As recommended, the training schedule could be accomplished in many different ways, to wit: during initial hiring / training; during weekly / monthly meeting; utilizing off-hours study groups; by setting classroom time; during coffee / lunch breaks; or while on post via computer. The schedule and purpose actually differ and depends on the requirements of the organization. The important thing to remember is that the objectives of the training are met and that the participants are made fully aware of all the aspects, concepts, theories they need to enable them to do what is expected and required of their position. Conclusion The effectiveness of a training program for protection officers can be measured in terms of how efficient they become in carrying out their responsibilities, and ultimately in contributing to organizational goals. The delicate nature of their tasks makes training an invaluable requirement prior to certifying protection officers. The rationale for the training, as well as the emphasis on certain topics should also be determined and catered to the needs of the organization. The areas covered, methodology, educational materials, schedule and monitoring tools should all be creatively crafted to make the learning experience comprehensive and worthwhile. References International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO). (2008). About the Protection Officer Training Manual. Retrieved July 29, 2009 from Kirvan, P. (2009). Using a business continuity plan template: A free business continuity template and guide. Tech Target. Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from Rossetti, A. (2008). A Guide to Using the CPO Program as a Method of Organizational Development. Retrieved July 29, 2009 from Wilt, J.B. (2003). “Protection Officer Law (U.S.)”. Protection Officer Training Manual, Unit 10. Elsevier, Inc. Licensed to University of Phoenix, SEC420. Read More