The training for a security guard is not very good. To get your level 2, you take an online course. Maybe a few hours of online training and a test. I let my level 2 lapse, so I had to take the class again. I signed up and then logged into the course. Went straight to the test, took the test, and passed with flying colors. Never touched the course. To be a level 3(armed) you take a 40hr class. Most of the class is just about Gun safety how to clean your gun and how to be a security officer. You barely touch on any laws concerning the use of your weapon and then when you go to the range, you pop off a few rounds, and then you pass. Thats it. Most security guards don't even actually know what the law is pertaining to them. So now you have armed security guards running around, with hardly any knowledge of the laws pertaining to them, dressed like cops. And you wonder why so many guards are treated badly by cops and why there is such a turnover of guards.

The licensing of security guards is done through the TX Dept of Public Safety(TX DPS). They have a lot on their plate, so the licensing of security guards is low on their agenda. In my opinion, they need to run the guards through the TX Commission of Law Enforcement(TCOLE). TCOLE is charged with the licensing of peace officers. That's all they do. However, I believe that they should be in charge of licensing security guards, as well I feel that the hiring process for a security guard should be the same as with peace officers. This would weed out the bad officers. Plus pay the security guards a wage comparable to peace officers. If you up the pay and the hiring process, you would get better quality officers. Trust me, if you make a guard fill out a PHS, most of them would go to work in a fast food place.

I believe that security guards should have to go through the same hiring and background investigations. The training should be better for any guard. The pay should be better. If security guards had better training, better pay, and had to go through the same hiring process, you would get better guards.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE SECURITY GUARDS SHOULD BE REGULATED BY TCOLE, JUST LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

But that is just my opinion. Yall be safe out there and talk to yall later!