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The Effective Security Officer Training
PowerPoint Training Aide was based on the
popular Effective Security Officer Training
Manual (available from Butterworth-
Heinemann, Inc.) authored by Ralph Brislin,
CPP.
The program is made up of 577 slides covering
21 topics. Each module is formatted to include
a screen with Guided Reading Activities
(vocabulary to look for and questions to answer
during the viewing), screens detailing the
pertinent information in a colorful easy-to-read
format, and a Discussion Question screen(s)
which can be used for discussion, review, or as
a testing instrument.
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TOPICS
• Introduction to Security
• Security Personnel
• Physical Security
• Patrol Procedures
• Electronic Alarm
Systems
• Investigations
• Report Writing
• Legal Aspects of
Security
• Testifying in Court
• Internal Threats to an
Organization
• Introduction to Fire
Protection
• Safety
• HIV & AIDS
• Human Relations
• Handling Disruptive
Persons
• Emergency
Preparedness
• Labor Relations
• Substance Abuse
• Ethics
• Professionalism – Non
Security Duties and
Creating a Positive
Impression
• Future of Security
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The Effective Security Officer PowerPoint Program
is designed in such a way that it enables you to
choose the most effective method for using it with
your officers.
1. The PowerPoint Aide can be used in a
classroom setting in conjunction with the
Effective Security Officer Training Manual. This
allows your officers to have a take-home textbook
complete with sections for note-taking and
questions for each section while providing the
instructor with everything he/she needs for
teaching the material.
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2. The PowerPoint Aide can also be used
successfully without the accompanying text.
An instructor can proceed through the program
– adding practical examples and real life
stories from his/her own experience to enrich
the educational process. The Discussion
Question screen(s) at the end of each module
can be used for discussion, review, or as a
testing instrument.
3. The PowerPoint Aide can even be used as an
individual instruction tool, depending on the
ability level of the officer. The officer,
unaccompanied, can proceed through the
PowerPoint at his/her own pace with a simple
mouse click. The discussion questions can be
used with the student officer providing written
answers.
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The Effective Security Officer Training
PowerPoint Aide provides an easy way to
ensure that your officers have developed
basic competency. This allows you another
avenue to reduce liability by establishing
the method and thoroughness of the
training of your officers.
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The following slides provide a
brief sample of the total
program using these modules.
Patrol Procedures
Report Writing & Note Taking
Professionalism – Non-Security
Duties and Creating a Positive
Impression
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Key Words: external patrol, internal patrol,
loss prevention, pattern variations, watch
clock, first patrol
Questions
1. What are the purposes of patrolling?
2. What is the significance of the first patrol?
3. What equipment should be carried while
patrolling?
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When one officer relieves another at
the shift change the following
should occur:
•A discussion of events that
occurred on the previous shift.
•A first patrol of the facility should
be taken noting and correcting any
unusual occurrences.
•Note the doors and windows which
are opened or unlocked which
should be closed and locked. Note
lights which are left on.
•Pay attention to areas where
problems have occurred in the past.
FIRST PATROL
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Two-Way Radios – provide quicker response
and added protection; requires proper
training
ALWAYS REMEMBER!
a) Good language and diction are important in
radio use.
b) It is not an entertainment device.
c) Do not hold the radio too close when
speaking.
d) Do not cut in on someone else’s
conversation.
e) Use a number or code for identification
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While patrolling an officer may occasionally
be required to inspect equipment being
removed from the facility. The officer must
know:
What material can be removed from the
facility with proper paperwork and
authorization?
Are shipping documents or material
removal passes provided to the officer before
removal?
If no paperwork is required, the officer
should note in the shift log, the identity and
description of the person removing material
and what material was removed.
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Discussion Questions
1. When making a patrol, what should the
security officer be aware of?
2. What are external patrols and what do
they include?
3. What is the value of the first patrol?
4. What should an officer do with his keys
during a patrol?
5. What is the importance of a notebook
during a patrol?
6. What would you do if you encountered an
accident or crime in progress?
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Key Words: shift/daily log, incident reports,
material passes, visitor logs
Questions
1. What should you include in your daily log?
2. Why is note-taking important?
3. Why do security companies keep records of
logs?
4. What kind of logs will you be expected to
keep?
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1.Document everything!
2.Write clearly and neatly! It is suggested that all
reports be either printed by hand or typed.
3. Report all facts! Simply state the facts!
4.Protect the information contained in the logs and
reports!
5.Know what information your supervisor wants
included in the security reports! The KISS (“Keep It
Simple, Stupid”) approach is always preferred.
Don’t intentionally try to embarrass the preceding
shift officer.
The following guidelines are suggested to
ensure that reports are written in an
acceptable, professional manner.
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Shift logs are the most common type and are used
to document all significant events which occur
during a particular shift. For example:
•Officer’s name
•On/off duty time
•Name of officer relieved
•Notation as to obtaining keys, card access
devices, etc.
•Notation of any unusual observations after first
patrol
•Pick-up/ delivery time of parcels
•Special note or instructions regarding visitors,
contractors or a special delivery which is expected
SHIFT/DAILY LOGS
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THINGS NOT TO DO
IN THE LOG BOOK!
Do not doodle or write anything
that is not security related.
Do not log anything before the
time it occurs.
Do not use abbreviations or ditto marks.
Do not sign off duty before your relief arrives and
is fit to perform his/her duties.
Do not enter personal opinions or write derogatory
remarks about co-workers, client employees, or
your supervisors.
Do not use white-out or erase anything in the log
book.
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1. What are the five purposes for security
reports?
2. What seven questions must be answered in
every security report or log?
3. Is it proper and acceptable for a security
officer to include his/her personal opinion and
commentary when writing security reports?
4. Even though a department manager or union
official may be allowed to read an incident
report concerning an employee, the security
officer on duty should not permit them access
unless prior approval has been given by a
superior. TRUE or FALSE
Discussion Questions
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Key words: image, conduct, attitude, appearance
Questions
1. How can a security officer create a positive
first impression?
2. What are the personal traits and
characteristics which affect a security
officer’s ability to relate to the public in a
professional manner?
3. What is the best way to deal with non-security
responsibilities?
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APPEARANCE
Security officers are judged in large part by the
impression created in dealing with people in 15-30
seconds. Remember, “You never get a second
chance to make a first impression.”
Clean shaven
Clean, unwrinkled uniform
Clean, polished shoes
No distracting jewelry
No distracting hairstyles
No chewing gum
No slouching
Moderate use of cologne or perfume
GENERAL GUIDELINES
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1. Arrive to work 15 minutes early, in a clean uniform.
2. Bathe or shower just before leaving for work.
3. Greet your co-workers with a friendly hello and
smile.
4. Ask the officer you are relieving what happened on
the preceding shift that you need to be aware of.
5. Leave your personal problems and hang-ups at home.
6. If you are required to perform janitorial duties, how
does that make you feel? Understand these feelings
before you express them.
Besides visual appearance, the tone of one’s voice,
the willingness to offer a “Good morning” or a “May I
help you?” creates a positive impression in the minds
of the listener. To improve chances of success follow
these simple guidelines:
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SUGGESTIONS FOR ANSWERING THE PHONE
1. Always answer the phone within three
rings.
2. Answer the phone by saying, “Good
morning/afternoon/evening, N-KOM,
Security Officer Jones speaking, may I
help you?”
3. Try to help the person. If they ask for someone
who is not at work, don’t just say, “They’re not in.”
Help the caller by saying, “Is there someone else
who can help you?”
4. If the person has a problem or complaint, listen to
them and attempt to offer them a suggestion or
alternative.
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1. Identify ways of creating a favorable first impression.
2. How should a security officer answer each and every
phone call?
3. You work as a security officer at a facility where
security officers are expected to deliver mail and
maintain the plant manager’s vehicle in clean and
proper working order. How do you deal with these
regulations and how would you try to change them?
4. What are the general requirements for proper
appearance?
5. What can you do to improve your chance for success?
6. How important is attitude?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ralph F. Brislin, CPP has been involved in the
security industry for nearly 30 years working in the
retail, manufacturing, and contract security fields.
He has authored three books:
Effective Report Writing for Security Personnel
The Effective Security Officer’s Training Manual
The Effective Security Supervisor’s Manual
He most recently produced the training materials
for compliance with the AB 2880 Security Officer
Training Law for the California Association of
Licensed Security Agencies, Guards and
Associates (CALSAGA).
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Ralph F. Brislin, CPP resides in Akron, Ohio
with his wife of 27 years. He is the proud
father of three children and one cat.
He earned a BS degree in Law Enforcement
from Eastern Kentucky University and a
Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana
University. He has taught college courses at
Indiana University, Lakeland Community
College and Eastern Kentucky University. He
has been a Certified Protection Professional
since 1982.
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To obtain copies of the Effective Security Officer
Training PowerPoint Aide contact Ralph Brislin.
Telephone: 216.276.5053
E-mail: rbrislin@unitedsms.com
To obtain copies of The Effective Security
Officer’s Training Manual, The Effective Security
Supervision Manual, or Effective Report Writing
for Security Personnel contact Butterworth-
Heinemann or order through the ASIS catalog.
COMING IN JANUARY – THE EFFECTIVE SECURITY
SUPERVISON POWERPOINT PROGRAM AIDE!
