Security Guard Course

Lesson 1 • PSIRA Registration and Regulatory Requirements

Outlines the PSIRA registration process, background check standards, and ongoing compliance obligations. Ensures students understand what is required to work legally in the field.

Lesson 2 • Ethics and Professional Standards

Introduces ethical decision-making frameworks and codes of conduct specific to security work. Builds the moral foundation needed for trustworthy, consistent performance.

Lesson 3 • The Security Guard Profession

Defines the security guard role within the broader public safety ecosystem. Establishes professional identity and sets expectations for conduct throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Access Control

Explains the layered security model and how access control fits within it. Provides the conceptual framework for all physical security decisions made on post.

Lesson 2 • Entry Point Management

Covers procedures for staffing and operating gates, lobbies, and checkpoints. Directly applies access control principles to real-world post assignments.

Lesson 3 • Technology-Assisted Access Control

Introduces electronic systems that support manual access control efforts. Guards learn to operate and monitor these tools as part of an integrated security approach.

Lesson 1 • Note-Taking and Field Documentation

Teaches accurate, contemporaneous note-taking during patrols and incidents. Field notes form the evidentiary basis for formal reports and legal follow-up.

Lesson 2 • Patrol Methods and Procedures

Covers foot, vehicle, and stationary patrol techniques for various facility types. Ensures guards can adapt patrol strategy to assignment-specific requirements.

Lesson 3 • Observation Skills and Situational Awareness

Trains guards to notice behavioural and environmental cues that signal potential threats. Situational awareness is the foundation of proactive security work.

Lesson 4 • Daily Activity Logs and Shift Handover

Establishes the routine documentation that maintains operational continuity between shifts. Accurate logs ensure no critical information is lost during transitions.

Lesson 1 • De-escalation Strategies

Provides a step-by-step framework for reducing aggression in confrontational situations. De-escalation is the primary tool for resolving conflict without force.

Lesson 2 • Radio and Electronic Communication

Trains guards in proper radio protocol and electronic communication tools used on post. Clear radio communication is critical during emergencies and routine operations.

Lesson 3 • Non-Verbal Communication and Body Language

Teaches guards to read and project non-verbal cues that influence behaviour. Body language awareness improves threat assessment and de-escalation outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Verbal Communication Fundamentals

Covers tone, word choice, and pacing as tools for controlling security interactions. Effective verbal skills prevent minor disputes from escalating into incidents.

Lesson 1 • Emergency Preparedness Fundamentals

Introduces emergency planning concepts and the guard's role within a facility's emergency plan. Preparedness knowledge enables faster, more coordinated responses.

Lesson 2 • Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures

Covers fire detection, extinguisher use, and evacuation coordination responsibilities. Guards learn to act decisively in the critical first minutes of a fire event.

Lesson 3 • Medical Emergency First Response

Trains guards to recognise and respond to common medical emergencies until EMS arrives. Prompt, correct action by a guard can be the difference between life and death.

Lesson 4 • Bomb Threat and Hazardous Material Response

Covers recognition and initial response to bomb threats and hazardous material incidents. Guards learn to protect life while preserving evidence for investigators.

Lesson 1 • Defensive Tools and Equipment

Covers authorised defensive tools, their legal use, and safe handling procedures. Guards learn when and how to deploy tools within policy and legal limits.

Lesson 2 • Use-of-Force Continuum

Explains the graduated scale of force options and the decision criteria for each level. Guards learn to match force response to the actual threat presented.

Lesson 3 • Defensive Stance and Positioning

Teaches safe body positioning that protects the guard while maintaining control of a situation. Proper stance reduces injury risk and supports effective intervention.

Lesson 4 • Post-Incident Procedures

Outlines required actions after any use-of-force event, including medical care and reporting. Proper post-incident conduct protects the guard and the employing organisation.

Lesson 1 • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

Introduces design-based strategies that reduce criminal opportunity in physical spaces. Guards learn to assess and recommend environmental improvements that deter crime.

Lesson 2 • Theft and Fraud Awareness

Identifies common theft and fraud schemes targeting businesses and facilities. Guards learn to recognise and report suspicious activity before losses occur.

Lesson 3 • Vulnerability Assessment Basics

Teaches guards to identify security weaknesses in their assigned environment. Vulnerability awareness enables proactive risk reduction and better patrol focus.

Lesson 1 • Healthcare Facility Security

Addresses the unique challenges of securing hospitals and clinics with vulnerable populations. Guards learn to balance security enforcement with patient care sensitivity.

Lesson 2 • Event and Crowd Security

Prepares guards to manage large crowds, control access, and respond to incidents at events. Crowd dynamics knowledge is essential for safe, effective event security.

Lesson 3 • Corporate and Office Building Security

Covers lobby management, executive protection basics, and after-hours security in office settings. Builds competency for one of the most common security guard assignments.

Lesson 4 • Residential and Gated Community Security

Addresses the service-oriented security model required in residential environments. Guards balance resident relations with firm access control and patrol duties.