Questions for security pros

[RottenApple]

I've got a few questions for any security pros out there.

1) Do you need to take and pass the L2 course before moving on to the L3 license or does the L3 include the L2 info?
2) Do you need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class or can you get L3 licensed prior to being employed w/ a security company?
3) Is it worth it to get additional certifications such as baton, OC, etc?

I'm sure I'll have some others after those are answered so hopefully you won't mind my picking your brains a bit more.

[JJVP]

Looking at your avatar, I'm surprised Apple hasn't sued you yet.

http://creativebits.org/opinion/apple_s ... apple_logo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RottenApple]

Looking at your avatar, I'm surprised Apple hasn't sued you yet.

http://creativebits.org/opinion/apple_s ... apple_logo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I use it for non-commercial, personal use I'm fairly certain that it falls under Fair Use. I've also used it as my work iChat image for the last 2 years. And, as my employer (Apple, Inc.) has never said anything about it, they'd probably have a tough time in court. Not to mention all the negative publicity they'd receive because of it.

[Thomas]

Looking at your avatar, I'm surprised Apple hasn't sued you yet.

http://creativebits.org/opinion/apple_s ... apple_logo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I use it for non-commercial, personal use I'm fairly certain that it falls under Fair Use. I've also used it as my work iChat image for the last 2 years. And, as my employer (Apple, Inc.) has never said anything about it, they'd probably have a tough time in court. Not to mention all the negative publicity they'd receive because of it.

If you work for Apple, they wouldn't sue you, they would just fire you. I'm guessing no one really cares or the lawyers haven't seen it yet. They'd rather go after other companies anyway.

Logos over which Apple Inc. sued other other companies:
http://www.gochengdoo.com/images/blog/4647.jpg
http://cultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cd ... g/logo.jpg
http://www.wired.com/images/article/ful ... e_250x.jpg

Of course they believe in the double standard. They launched their phone under the STOLEN trademark "iPhone" which was owned by Cisco.
http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content ... iphone.jpg

Apple Inc. = Bully

EDIT: Turned images into links.

[OldCannon]

Ok, this thread has officially been hijacked.

[Thomas]

Ok, this thread has officially been hijacked.

Sorry

[gigag04]

Wow....

Somebody please answer the mans question. OP, you may want to PM Excaliber, who is a wealth of info regarding such things.

[Skiprr]

Back on Topic...

[Excaliber]

I've got a few questions for any security pros out there.

1) Do you need to take and pass the L2 course before moving on to the L3 license or does the L3 include the L2 info?
2) Do you need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class or can you get L3 licensed prior to being employed w/ a security company?
3) Is it worth it to get additional certifications such as baton, OC, etc?

I'm sure I'll have some others after those are answered so hopefully you won't mind my picking your brains a bit more.

1) You need to take and pass the Level II Security Officer course before moving on to the Level III Commissioned Security Officer Course. The Level III course does not include Level II. Level IV (Personal Protection Officer) requires prior completion of Level III.
2) You do not need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class.
3) The value of additional certifications will depend on the type of work you plan to do and the market your prospective employers serve. It can range from very valuable to irrelevant.

[papajohn1964]

I've got a few questions for any security pros out there.

1) Do you need to take and pass the L2 course before moving on to the L3 license or does the L3 include the L2 info?
2) Do you need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class or can you get L3 licensed prior to being employed w/ a security company?
3) Is it worth it to get additional certifications such as baton, OC, etc?

I'm sure I'll have some others after those are answered so hopefully you won't mind my picking your brains a bit more.

I just received my Commissioned Card a few weeks ago. When I took my level III course the level II test and certificate was included, I think most schools do this but verify with them first.

Go ahead and take the level III course but you have to be employed before you can submit your application to the PSB. The problem I had was finding someone to hire me without a card in hand. You have to work for someone to get your card but you have to have your card to work for someone???? Do some searching because being a guard dosen't pay much...expect 9-11 per hour unless you get on a Government contract.

I already had a Alarm Installer license with them so I didn't have to go through the BG check and fingerprinting again. Not sure if the CHL BG check and fingerprints will work or not. If you want to carry a baton or OC you need these certifications.

Hope this helps!

[Excaliber]

I've got a few questions for any security pros out there.

1) Do you need to take and pass the L2 course before moving on to the L3 license or does the L3 include the L2 info?
2) Do you need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class or can you get L3 licensed prior to being employed w/ a security company?
3) Is it worth it to get additional certifications such as baton, OC, etc?

I'm sure I'll have some others after those are answered so hopefully you won't mind my picking your brains a bit more.

I just received my Commissioned Card a few weeks ago. When I took my level III course the level II test and certificate was included, I think most schools do this but verify with them first.

Go ahead and take the level III course but you have to be employed before you can submit your application to the PSB. The problem I had was finding someone to hire me without a card in hand. You have to work for someone to get your card but you have to have your card to work for someone???? Do some searching because being a guard dosen't pay much...expect 9-11 per hour unless you get on a Government contract.

I already had a Alarm Installer license with them so I didn't have to go through the BG check and fingerprinting again. Not sure if the CHL BG check and fingerprints will work or not. If you want to carry a baton or OC you need these certifications.

Hope this helps!

Not all schools include the Level II course with the Level III. The schools I'm familiar with don't, but the Level II contains so little material it's extremely easy to get and it would take no effort at all to integrate it into a Level III course. Folks I know got their Level II certificates (not licenses, which require a lot more effort) in somewhere between 90 minutes (fast readers) and 3 hours (slow readers.) It deals mostly with very basic legal compliance issues, not with operational security topics.

[RottenApple]

Thanks, guys. I'll make sure I check with the school before jumping straight to the L3. BTW, I used to work unarmed security a long time ago and looked myself up. Oddly enough my L2 license just expired last year.

[40khammer]

1. If you go to the Phoenix Security Academy in Houston you can take the level 3 course and level 2 at the same time. You'll go through the course and then on the last day take both tests. That's what I did.

2. You don't need to be employed to get your certificate, however you wont get your card until you are employed. Your employer will have to send your certificate off to get your card.

3. Go ahead and get baton, OC, and Shotgun certified. It doesn't hurt, and it's nice to have a non-lethal option other than your hands when you need it.

[papajohn1964]

I've got a few questions for any security pros out there.

1) Do you need to take and pass the L2 course before moving on to the L3 license or does the L3 include the L2 info?
2) Do you need to be actively employed by a security company prior to taking the L3 class or can you get L3 licensed prior to being employed w/ a security company?
3) Is it worth it to get additional certifications such as baton, OC, etc?

I'm sure I'll have some others after those are answered so hopefully you won't mind my picking your brains a bit more.

I just received my Commissioned Card a few weeks ago. When I took my level III course the level II test and certificate was included, I think most schools do this but verify with them first.

Go ahead and take the level III course but you have to be employed before you can submit your application to the PSB. The problem I had was finding someone to hire me without a card in hand. You have to work for someone to get your card but you have to have your card to work for someone???? Do some searching because being a guard dosen't pay much...expect 9-11 per hour unless you get on a Government contract.

I already had a Alarm Installer license with them so I didn't have to go through the BG check and fingerprinting again. Not sure if the CHL BG check and fingerprints will work or not. If you want to carry a baton or OC you need these certifications.

Hope this helps!

Not all schools include the Level II course with the Level III. The schools I'm familiar with don't, but the Level II contains so little material it's extremely easy to get and it would take no effort at all to integrate it into a Level III course. Folks I know got their Level II certificates (not licenses, which require a lot more effort) in somewhere between 90 minutes (fast readers) and 3 hours (slow readers.) It deals mostly with very basic legal compliance issues, not with operational security topics.

And mine also included the shotgun endorsment as well...In fact he almost insisted that everyone fire the shotgun. He said that if there was a shotgun on a post and you didn't have the SG endorsment that you couldn't be on that post. If you had your own shotgun it was no charge and if you used theirs it was just $25 and that included the 10 rounds of 00 buck! Now I just need to get my OC and baton....

[txcshooter]

I'm considering on becoming an armed commissioned security guard, my question is what equipment is issued to you besides the uniform, if any?