For clarification; in the State of Texas a properly licensed and affiliated Level 3 (Which is uniformed and armed) Private Security Officer is called a Commissioned Security Officer.
During the summer of 2023 the private security community here in Texas saw a few dramatic shifts. Most of the Changes were scheduled to take place at the beginning of 2024.
The first was that all level 3 SO's must have a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory completed, passed, and submitted to the State. This wasn't too big a deal to get taken care of and is a good thing considering the variables in the nature of the job and the vast amount of situations and environments that require an armed presence.
The second was that, going forward, all level 3 officers were going to have to complete additional training. Specifically baton, handgun, handcuff, and "defensive tactics." Another good thing and for the same reasons.
Those were the big shifts that most affected the individual SO.
Back to the summer of 2023, but late summer. Just before the school year would start. The private security industry got word of additional legislature that would affect both private security and the education system.
It seems after Uvalde, someone took security seriously. The new law, with different allowances for time to get things in order, required that all schools must have armed security. Finally!
Considering the security officer training and mental health evaluation requirement changes that had been passed and publicized only weeks (or was it days?) before the schools security law it seems one hand was shaking the other in preparation for good work.
This was definitely a good thing. Schools in Texas will now have an armed response. Those responders on campus will have been checked that they are mentally acceptable and they will have just a little bit more training.
Recognizing that no one agrees at all times on policy change, and recognizing that this is in Texas, a very pro gun state, we can all agree that this belongs in the "win" column.
Comments