Serna Security Training provides comprehensive security training programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the security industry.
Our courses meet or exceed California state requirements and are delivered by experienced security professionals.
Our Key Statistics:
• 5 Comprehensive Training Courses
• 40+ Hours of Professional Training
• 100% Certification Ready Programs
• Licensed by the Bureau of Security and
Investigative Services (BSIS)
To Get your Guard Card
Course Overview:
This comprehensive course will prepare you to be a security guard in California, covering essential topics such as powers to arrest, weapons laws, report writing, emergency preparedness, and communication skills. You will acquire an in-depth understanding of the relevant laws, regulations, and procedures essential for providing effective security services.
• Powers of arrest and legal authority
• California Weapons Laws & Regulations
• Professional Report Writing Techniques
• Emergency preparedness and response protocols
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Job interview preparation and hiring guidance
The California BSIS requires 8 hours of initial training divided into two parts: 3 hours of Power to Arrest (this online course) and 5 hours of Appropriate Use of Force (which must be taken in person), both of which together fulfill the training requirement for obtaining a guard card or PSO license.
> Security officer powers and legal authority limitations
> Professional conduct standards and ethical responsibilities
> Security procedures and operational protocols
> Documentation and reporting requirements
> Emergency response and incident management
> Powers of Arrest including citizen’s arrest authority, probable cause, legal limitations
> Security Officer Authority including scope of duties, jurisdictional boundaries, legal constraints
> Encounters and Arrests including proper procedures, suspect rights, safety considerations
> Documentation Requirements including incident reports, arrest procedures, evidence handling
> Emergency Response including notification procedures, scene security, first aid basics
> BSIS Compliance including licensing requirements, renewal procedures, regulatory standards
> California’s legal system structure and court processes
> Criminal law fundamentals and common crime elements
> Civil law principles including negligence and intentional torts
> Constitutional rights and civil rights protections
> False imprisonment, arrest authority, and detention procedures
> Documentation requirements and incident reporting
> Workplace violence prevention and restraining order enforcement
> California Private Security Services Act compliance and licensing
> Criminal Law Elements including property crimes, crimes against persons, theft offenses
> Civil Liability including negligence elements, intentional torts, damages, employer liability doctrine
> Constitutional & Civil Rights (Fourth Amendment, Unruh Act, privacy, anti-discrimination requirements)
> Detention & Arrest including shopkeeper’s privilege, citizen’s arrest, probable cause, false imprisonment
> Risk Management (documentation techniques, force guidelines, search limitations, liability prevention)
> California legal system overview (legislative, judicial, executive branches)
> Criminal and civil law fundamentals
> Security officer powers and limitations under California law
> Liability prevention and risk management strategies
> Professional ethics and conduct standards
> Workplace diversity and harassment prevention
> Understanding negligence and intentional torts
> False imprisonment and citizen’s arrest procedures
> Elements of common crimes (theft, assault, battery, burglary)
> Civil rights compliance and the Unruh Act
> Shopkeeper’s privilege and detention procedures
> Search and seizure limitations
> California Private Security Services Act requirements
> Professional responsibilities and ethical conduct
> Incident reporting and legal documentation
> Radio communication protocols and FCC regulations
> Emergency contact procedures and escalation protocols
> Professional telephone etiquette and customer service
> Crisis communication management and de-escalation
> Multi-language communication strategies
> Documentation of incidents and emergency responses
> Public address system operation and intercom protocols
> Emergency planning and response coordination
> Radio communication protocols and FCC regulations
> Emergency contact procedures and escalation protocols
> Professional telephone etiquette and customer service
> Crisis communication management and de-escalation
> Multi-language communication strategies
> Documentation of incidents and emergency responses
> Public address system operation and intercom protocols
> Emergency planning and response coordination
> Professional report writing guidelines using the KISS principle
> Documentation best practices for incident recording
> Legal requirements and standards for security reports
> Incident reconstruction techniques and timeline development
> Note-taking strategies and evidence management
> Digital and physical record keeping systems
> Understanding the “Who, What, When, Where, How” framework
> Protecting confidential information in reports
> Shift logs and daily activity reports (DARs)
> Vehicle logs and material control documentation
> Visitor and contractor logging procedures
> Incident report writing and evidence preservation
> Records management and legal compliance
Two-way radio operation and proper techniques
Phonetic alphabet and numeric pronunciation systems
FCC regulations and radio discipline requirements
Emergency codes and standardized response protocols
10-codes, 11-codes, and incident reporting systems
California legal code references and terminology
Unit designations and law enforcement abbreviations
Real-world radio communication scenarios
Two-way radio equipment operation and maintenance
Phonetic alphabet (NATO) and numeric pronunciation
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations
Radio discipline and acknowledgment phrases
Code systems: Standard codes, 10-codes, and 11-codes
California Vehicle Code and legal references
Unit designations and law enforcement slang
Practical application and professional communication techniques
We’ve been helping people successfully get their certificates since 2009 Practical, real-world experience and advice to share Comprehensive curriculum approved by state regulators Instructors are certified professionals with years of security experience Up-to-date training materials covering latest industry best practices
✓ Licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
✓ All courses meet or exceed California state requirements
✓ Approved training provider for security officer certification
✓ Continuing education credits available
Ready to launch your career in security? Our comprehensive training programs provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to succeed in the growing security industry.
Enrollment is ongoing
Contact us today to discuss your training needs and career goals.
Please let us know what you think.