For 2025 there has been a change:
The minimum classes required is “Primary Basic” and “Primary Plus“.
Both classes together, you should expect an 8 hour day.
Please read some more in the below explanations.
Here are the 2 books you should get familiar with to help you before you take the class.
However, we break it down in to 2 classes.
Unarmed Officer / “Primary Basic and Primary Plus” classes. With these 2 classes, you will get trained in the Basics of becoming a Security Officer and then some advanced Training with “Terry Vs. Ohio, 4th amendment stuff to include patrolling and situational stuff. The company you work for has the right to decide if they want you to carry handcuffs? Tasers? Hands on? / Class 0026
Armed Officer / This is additional training and gives you the same authority as a Police Officer. You would need Primary Basic and Primary Plus class with the weapons portion / Class 0027
So, you see how in reality, there are 2 types of classes to choose from.
What matters with the different classes is what authority does the Officer need and does he need to be Armed?
Basically here it is even explained a little better
- The 8 hour class called “Primary Basic and Primary Plus” to become a SLED Certified Unarmed Security Officer with Arrest Powers or in other words the “Same Authority” as the local Police Department on the property with the contract….BUT without a weapon. So, you would take the Primary Basic and the Primary Plus class (without weapon) to work at a bar or any place that might need you to patrol, escort off property, etc…..but you would be Unarmed.
- Armed Portion: To become an Armed Security Officer you must take BOTH classes (Basic and Plus) with the addition of the “Weapons Portion” which includes the qualifying of the weapon you will carry on your sites.
- Yes, you can schedule to take all of the above in the same day and qualify with the weapon to become an Armed Security Officer….the qualification portion adds more time to the training so be prepared for a long day.
- You should be prepared to be in training for 8 hours or more, this depends on your level of handling a weapon.
REMEMBER:
- Even though you might be a Certified Armed Security Officer, your post orders will dictate your “Authority Levels” at that particular site…..EVERY SITE is different and you have to know what is legal to do on that site.
- Even after the training, you are still NOT Certified until a Security Company hires you and sends your packet to SLED so that they can determine if you meet the requirements so they can approve or deny your application.
