Anderson Oconee Pickens

New Private Security Officer Certificate Program to Debut Next Month

CONTACT: SANDRA STRICKLAND, 224-0453

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/6/2004
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- A new private security officer certificate program offering an expanded curriculum and more classroom hours will debut statewide next month.

Tri-County Technical College and 14 other technical colleges in the state have received approval from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to offer a new 24-hour private security program beginning May 17.

In the past, state regulations permitted only instructors within private agencies to teach these classes, and the classroom instruction totaled four hours. The new program, designed by Tri-County staff, has been expanded to 24 hours of instruction and ensures consistency of training statewide. It is the only SLED-approved curriculum leading to SLED certification for private security.

"Training is the key to professionalism in any job," said Tim Busha, Criminal Justice department head at Tri-County, who assisted Joe Dorton, retired captain at SLED, in planning the curriculum. "More training results in better employees who have confidence in the decisions they make and therefore are more effective in the job they do."

Areas of training include: SLED and Private Security, Effective Communications, Report Writing and Documentation, Public Relations, Security Patrol, Crime Prevention and Incident Scene Preservation, Fire Protection and Safety, Bomb Threats, Searches and Device Recognition, Workplace Safety and Violence Prevention & Counterterrorism, Arrest Procedures and Handcuffing Techniques, Shoplifting, Loss Prevention and Retail Security, and Private Security Level One Legals.

The program also gives private security companies a pool of qualified applicants to interview for jobs, said Busha. "Historically, persons filled out an application and simultaneously ran a criminal background check. If the check didn't come back favorably, the agency lost time and money. Now when someone interviews for a private security officers position, the company will know whether the applicant has the required training and appropriate background," explained Busha.

"I think this is an historic day in terms of private security regulation in S.C.," said Captain Dorton. "The advantages of this program to private security companies: include potentially lower liability insurance costs because of increased classroom instruction. Also, there will be more professional training of their security officers, and more consistent training for all security officer hires, statewide, by credentialed instructors."

The cost of the program is $99 per student for an enrollment of 10 or more, said Sandra Strickland, program coordinator. During registration for the program, to ensure statutory eligibility for registration as a private security officer, the prospective student must pay a $25 fee for a criminal record check conducted the technical college staff.

Successful graduates of this program will be awarded a certificate as a Certified Officer. The certificate entitles the graduate, who meets statutory registration requirements, to registration by SLED immediately upon hiring by a licensed private security company.

The first class is scheduled for May 17 - 27, Monday - Thursday, from 6 - 9 p.m. and another from June 1- 3 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Contact Sandra Strickland at 224-0453 or sstrick2@tctc.edu for details.
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