Ala. Admin. Code r. 832-X-1-.08

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 832-X-1-.08 - Training

(1) General Training Requirements.

(a) The Board requires that a person applying for a personal license as a Security Officer or Armed Security Officer shall have completed at least 8 hours or Armed Security Officer shall have completed at least 14 hours of Board approved classroom training with a Certified Trainer prior to applying for a license from the Board.

(b) Any person who has less than five years of continuous experience as a Security Officer or Armed Security Officer at the time of application to the Board shall not be subject to the eight hours of classroom training required in § 34-27C-8(a) if a Certified Trainer certifies the person has received at least 8 hours of classroom training as specified in § 34-27C-8(a) at any time during the applicant's current period of employment.

(c) Any training certificate, verification of training, certification of training, or any other training documentation or record provided to any training course attendee by a Certified Trainer shall contain, at minimum, the name of the course, the date that the training was completed, a declaration that the attendee successfully completed the course, and the name, certification number, and original signature of the Certified Trainer who conducted the training.

(d) An applicant for a personal license claiming an exemption for training requirements as permitted by 34C-27-8(d) shall provide proof of training received or prior continuous experience as requested by the Board. Failure or refusal to provide the requested proof shall be grounds for denial of licensure by the Board.

1. Successful completion of Board mandated training shall be determined by the attendee achieving an acceptable score on a written test related to the course subject matter or achieving an acceptable qualification score on a firearm qualification course.

(2) Armed Security Officer Training Requirements.

(a) Prior to using any firearm for any regulated service or activity, an Armed Security Officer shall have successfully completed the appropriate Board-mandated qualification course for the make, model, and caliber of firearm to be used.

(b) Firearms Safety Training as required by § 34-27C-8(c) shall include, but may not be limited to, achieving a passing score on a Board-mandated qualification course with the make, model, or caliber handgun, shotgun and/or rifle to be used, instruction on the use of force laws of the State of Alabama, and instruction on the safe handling and storage of firearms.

(c) Firearms Refresher Training as required by § 34-27C-8(c) shall include, but may not be limited to, achieving a passing score on a Board-mandated qualification course with the make, model, and caliber handgun, shotgun and rifle.

(d) Approved firearms qualification courses.

1. The Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission qualification course of fire, target, scoring method and minimum score for handgun, shotgun and/or rifle to be used that is current at the time of qualification is an approved qualification course for Armed Security Officers.

(i) Active peace officers who successfully complete the mandatory annual Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission qualification course as a requirement of employment have met the requirements of this section.

2. Any National Rifle Association (NRA) course of fire, target, scoring method and minimum score for handgun, shotgun, or rifle that is officially approved by the NRA Law Enforcement Activities Division for use by a NRA-defined "Private Law Enforcement Organization" for firearms qualification is an approved qualification course for Armed Security Officers.

(i) A Contract Security Company utilizing any NRA firearm qualification course must apply for, receive from, and maintain an "Agency Affiliation" with the NRA and must follow all NRA Law Enforcement Activities Division rules applicable to a "Private Law Enforcement Organization".

3. The Alabama Security Regulatory Board approved firearm qualification course for handgun, shotgun and rifle is an approved qualification course for Armed Security Officers.

(3)Conduct of Training. Certified Trainers shall select training subject matters from the Board's list of Approved Subject Matter Categories when conducting Board required training.

All Board required training time requirements shall be measured in contact hours.

The Board shall accept the following training methods for all Board required training

(a) Classroom presentation: Classroom presentations shall be measured in Contact Hours.

(b) Video-based training, either disk or streaming: Video-based training shall be measured in Contact Hours by including the time length of the video presentation plus any related classroom presentation.

Assigned reading: Assigned Reading Contact Hours shall be determined using the measure of 100 words is equivalent to one minute of training.

All Board required training shall require testing in writing on any subject matter presented in training. All testing conducted for Board required training shall be graded using 'PASS' -or- 'FAIL' scoring and shall require a minimum grade of seventy percent (70%) to pass.

(4)Uncertified Trainers.

(a) A Certified Trainer must supervise training provided by an Uncertified Trainer for Board required training purposes.

(b) Training provided by an Uncertified Trainer for Board purposes shall comply with all Board training requirements for Approved Subject Matter Categories, Conduct of Training, Proof of Training, and Training Recordkeeping Requirements.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the supervising Certified Trainer to review all course lesson plans, training materials, and training methods to ensure that any training provided by an Uncertified Trainer meets all Board training requirements.

(d) The supervising Certified Trainer shall monitor all training conducted by an Uncertified Trainer to ensure compliance with Board training requirements.

(e) The supervising Certified Trainer shall administer and score all testing relating to any Board required training conducted by an Uncertified Trainer.

(f) In addition to any proof of training documentation provided by an Uncertified Trainer, the supervising Certified Trainer shall issue a separate proof of training document from the Certified Trainer as required by Board rules.

(5)Approved Subject Matter Categories.

(a) All Board required training content shall comply with the Approved Subject Matter Categories as defined by the Board.

(b) The following subject matter categories are acceptable for any training requirements of the Board;

1. Role of Contract Security: Subjects related to the general purpose and nature of Contract Security Companies and their employees, including but not limited to;

(i) Crime Awareness and Prevention

(ii) Private Security and the Criminal Justice System

(iii) Ethics and Professionalism

2. Legal Information Relevant to Providing Security Services: Subjects related to legal considerations and concerns (required during initial training), including but not limited to;

(i) Overview of Section 34-27C, Code of Alabama

(ii) Overview of Alabama Security Regulatory Board rules

(iii) Alabama Criminal Law; Violations, Misdemeanors and Felonies

(iv) Detention Procedures and Alabama Laws of Arrest (required during initial training)

(v) Alabama Use of Force Laws (required for Armed Security Officers)

(vi) Federal Laws related to Providing Security Services in Alabama

(vii) Civil Liability

(viii) Evidence Collection, Documentation, and Retention

(ix) Testifying in Court or Other Proceedings (e.g., disciplinary hearings, internal corporate hearings, board hearings, etc. )

3. Providing Security Services: Subjects specific to security methods and techniques, including but not limited to;

(i) General Patrol Techniques

(ii) Crimes & Incidents in Progress

(iii) General Workplace Environmental, Health & Safety Concerns

(iv) Security Officer Safety

(v) Observation and Information Gathering

(vi) Note Taking and Report Writing

4. Methods of Handling Crisis Situations: Subjects related to responding to emergency situations and critical events (required during initial training), including but not limited to;

(i) General Emergency Response Procedures

(ii) Fire Prevention and Control (required during initial training)

(iii) Methods of Crowd Control (required during initial training)

(iv) Bomb Threats

(v) First Aid, CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator

(vi) Hazardous Weather Conditions

(vii) Hazardous Materials

(viii) Terrorism

(ix) Evacuation Procedures

5. Use of Equipment Needed in Providing Security Services: Subjects about security equipment, their purpose and use (required during initial training), including but not limited to;

(i) Patrol Documentation Systems

(ii) Video Monitoring and Documentation Systems

(iii) Alarm Systems

(iv) Access Control Systems

(v) Fire extinguishers and Fire Suppression Systems

(vi) Firearms (see additional Board rules relating to this subject)

(vii) Less-Lethal Weapons (see additional Board rules relating to this subject)

(viii) Restraints (see additional Board rules relating to this subject)

(ix) Motor Vehicle Operations for Security

6. Customer Service Issues: Subjects addressing Customer Service considerations, including but not limited to;

(i) Public relations

(ii) Interpersonal Communications

7. Specialized Security Services: Subjects about providing security in unusual, uncommon, and/or unique locations or environments, including but not limited to;

(i) Hospital/Medical Facility Security Considerations

(ii) Financial Institution Security Considerations

(6) Less-lethal Weapons

(a) No person, including a Certified Trainer, shall provide instruction and certification in the use of a Less Lethal Weapon to any individual regulated by the Board unless the instructor has been authorized to instruct and certify others in the use of the particular Less Lethal Weapon by the Less Lethal Weapon's manufacturer or by an Independent Instructor Certifying Authority.

(b) No person licensed by the Board shall carry on their person or use a Less Lethal Weapon during any regulated activity without prior training and certification in the use of the particular Less Lethal Weapon by a trainer who has been authorized to instruct others in the use of the particular Less Lethal Weapon by the Board.

(i) Restraints

(c) No person, including a Certified Trainer, shall provide instruction and certification in the use of a Restraint to any individual regulated by the Board unless the instructor has been authorized to instruct and certify others in the use of the particular Restraint by the Restraint manufacturer or by an Independent Instructor Certifying Authority.

(d) No person licensed by the Board shall carry on their person or use a Restraint during any regulated activity without being trained and certified to so by a trainer who has been authorized to instruct others in the use of the particular Restraint by the Board.

(e) Unauthorized carry or use

(f) No person licensed by the Board shall carry on their person or use a Less Lethal Weapon or Restraint in violation of any rule, regulation, policy, practice or procedure of their employer.

(7) Certified Trainers shall develop, maintain, and instruct based upon current lesson plans for all training conducted for Board purposes . Lesson Plans shall include the following minimum information at the beginning of the Lesson Plan;

1. Name and Board License Number of the Certified Trainer conducting the Training

2. Lesson Subject: The subject name shall be relevant to the material being instructed

3. Subject Matter Category: The Approved Subject Matter Category the material is relevant to.

4. Contact Hours: Training Contact Hours as determined by Board rules.

5. Method of Instruction: Classroom Presentation/ Video-based Training/Assigned Reading

6. Training Material Required: a list of all training material used during the course of instruction (e.g., handouts, presentation files, video names & locations, etc.).

(8) Proof of Training.

1. Certified Trainers shall provide proof of training to all attendees who both participate in the training offered and pass the required test on the subject. Proof of training may be in any form that documents the following;

(i) Name and Board License Number of the Participant, and date of completion

(ii) Name and Board-issued Certified Trainer Number of the Certified Trainer

(iii) Lesson Subject

(iv) Subject Matter Category

(v) Contact Hours

(vi) Individual participants are responsible for receiving, maintaining, and reporting to the Board as required, all Board required training attended by the individual.

(9) Certified Trainers shall retain training records for a period of three (3) years.

(a) Certified Trainers shall permit inspection and photocopying of any training records as requested by the Board, or any Designee of the Board immediately upon request.

(b) Certified Trainers shall deliver to the Board any training records as requested in writing by the Board within five (5) business days of receipt of the request.

(10) Firearms: Handgun Qualification Course.

(a) The Alabama Security Regulatory Board Handgun Qualification Course shall be;

(b) Total Rounds: 30

(c) Approved Target: Standard FBI "Q" target, any color, paper or cardboard.

(d) Scoring: All shot holes completely inside of the scoring silhouette count. Shot holes breaking the edge of the scoring silhouette or outside of the silhouette DO NOT COUNT.

(e) Passing Score: 80% (24 rounds completely inside the scoring silhouette)

(f) Ammunition Management is the responsibility of the shooter. Shooters reload ON THEIR OWN. No reloading commands or reminders will be given during the course of fire.

(g) Start position is from secured holster with hands at side OR from a two-handed Ready Position as noted. Two-handed shooting is permitted for all Stages.

(h) After completing a string of fire, shooters should LOWER their weapon below their line of sight, SCAN the surrounding area for other threats. Once the SCAN is complete, shooters shall either HOLSTER and SECURE their handgun or remain at a Ready Position (as noted).

(i) Reloading and any actions after the required number of rounds fired in a string are not timed.

(j) A shooter must complete the entire course of fire once the first shot is fired during a qualification attempt. Shooters who do not complete the course of fire, or who do not achieve a PASS score, must fire the entire course again, not just the incomplete or failed portion.

(k) STAGE ONE: 3 YARDS

1. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 5 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

2. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 5 seconds : Lower, Scan, Ready Position.

3. From Ready Position, fire 3 rounds in 4 seconds: Lower, Scan, Ready Position.

4. From Ready Position, fire 3 rounds in 4 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

(l) STAGE TWO: 7 YARDS

1. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

2. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

3. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 6 seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

(m) STAGE THREE: 15 YARDS

1. Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

2. Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, Holster & Secure.

3. Draw and fire 2 rounds in three seconds: Lower, Scan, UNLOAD and let the Instructor verify that the weapon is unloaded, Holster & Secure (unloaded).

(11) Firearms: Shotgun Qualification Course.

(a) The Alabama Security Regulatory Board Shotgun Qualification Course shall be;

(b) Total Rounds: 10

(c) Approved Target: Standard FBI "Q" target, any color, paper or cardboard.

(d) Scoring: All shot holes completely inside of the scoring silhouette count. Shot holes touching the edge of the scoring silhouette or outside of the scoring silhouette DO NOT COUNT.

(e) Passing Score: 80% (10 rounds completely inside the silhouette)

(f) Ammunition Management is the responsibility of the shooter. Shooters reload ON THEIR OWN. No reloading commands or reminders will be given during the course of fire.

(g) Start position is 'Port Arms' OR 'Shoulder Ready' as noted. Safeties are to be in the ON position and pushed OFF only on the signal to fire.

(h) After completing a string of fire, shooters should place the safety in the ON position, LOWER their weapon before their line of sight then SCAN the surrounding area for other threats. Once the SCAN is complete, shooters shall enter return to Port Arms or remain at a Shoulder Ready (as noted).

(i) Reloading and any actions after the required number of rounds fired in a string are not timed.

(j) Shooters who fail to qualify must fire the entire course, not just the portion they fail.

(k) STAGE ONE: 25 YARDS

1. Load to Cruiser Safe (magazine loaded, chamber empty) with 1 round and go to Port Arms position.

2. On Command, fire 1 round Standing, Combat Load 1 round. Drop to Kneeling and fire 1 round in 15 seconds.

3. AFTER firing: Ejection Port Load 1 round, and TAC Load the magazine full.

(l) STAGE TWO: 15 YARDS

1. From Shoulder Ready, on command fire 2 rounds Standing and 1 round Kneeling in 8 seconds.

(m) STAGE THREE: 7 YARDS

1. From High Tuck: on command fire 3 rounds in 10 seconds.

2. From Shoulder Ready; on command fire 1 round, move right or left and fire 1 round in 6 seconds.

3. UNLOAD and let an Instructor verify that the weapon is unloaded, Secure the unloaded weapon.

(12) Firearms: Rifle Qualification Course.

(a) The Alabama Security Regulatory Board Rifle Qualification Course shall be;

(b) Total Rounds: 30

(c) Approved Target: Standard FBI "Q" target, any color, paper or cardboard.

(d) Scoring: All shot holes completely inside of the scoring silhouette count. Shot holes touching the edge of the scoring silhouette or outside of the scoring silhouette DO NOT COUNT.

(e) Passing Score: 80% (30 rounds completely inside the silhouette)

(f) Ammunition Management is the responsibility of the shooter. Shooters reload ON THEIR OWN. No reloading commands or reminders will be given during the course of fire.

(g) Start position is 'Safety Circle' (weapon on-sling, muzzle down & pointed in safe direction, finger off trigger) or "Shoulder Ready" position (as indicated) . Safeties are to be in the ON position and pushed OFF only on the signal to fire.

(h) After completing a string of fire, shooters should place the safety in the ON position, LOWER their weapon below their line of sight then SCAN the surrounding area for other threats. Once the SCAN is complete, shooters shall either return to Safety Circle position.

(i) Reloading and any actions after the required number of rounds fired in a string are not timed.

(j) Shooters who fail to qualify must fire the entire course, not just the portion they fail.

(k) Magazine Loading: Load ONE magazine with 2 rounds . All other magazines may be loaded to full capacity.

(l) STAGE ONE: 50 YARDS

1. Load fully-loaded magazine, load a round in the chamber, Safety on, and go to the Safety Circle position.

2. On Command, drop to Kneeling Position and fire 3 rounds in 20 seconds. Remain in Kneeling Position, Safety ON.

3. On Command, drop to Prone Position and fire 3 rounds in 20 seconds. Remain in Prone Position, Safety ON.

4. Verify rifles are on Safe. Assume standing, Shoulder-Ready position and tactically advance to the 25 yard line.

(m) STAGE TWO: 2 5 YARDS

1. Place Rifle in Cruiser-Safe Condition and go to Safety Circle position behind cover.

2. On Command, Using Cover from the Standing Position, fire 3 rounds from Strong-Side shoulder/Strong-Side cover, Transfer Rifle to Support-Side shoulder and fire 3 rounds from Support-Side cover in 25 seconds.

3. After allotted time: Instruct shooters to perform a TAC reload from behind cover with the 2-round magazine (Shooters should have one round in the chamber and 2-rounds in the magazine).

4. Verify rifles are on Safe. Using a standing, Shoulder-Ready position, tactically advance to the 15 yard line.

(n) STAGE THREE: 15 YARDS

1. From the Safety Circle position:

(i) On Command, fire 3 rounds in the Standing position, perform a Speed Reload while moving to a Kneeling Position, then fire 3 rounds from the Kneeling in 25 seconds.

(ii) Verify rifles are on Safe. Using a standing, Shoulder-Ready position, tactically advance to the 7 yard line.

(o) STAGE FOUR: 7 YARDS

1. From Shoulder-Ready position:

(i) On Command, fire 3 rounds in 2 seconds.

(ii) On Command, fire 2 rounds to Center Mass & 1 round to 'head' in 3 seconds.

2. From Safety Circle position:

(i) On command fire 2 rounds in 3 seconds.

(ii) Face to the Right to engage the target to the Shooters LEFT: On command, orient toward the target and fire 2 rounds in 3 seconds.

(iii) Face to the Left to engage the target to the Shooters RIGHT: On command, orient toward the target and fire 2 rounds in 3 seconds.

(iv) Verify rifles are Safe (magazine out, chamber visually verified as empty, safety on, on sling muzzle down.)

(13) Firearms: Qualification Attempt.

(a) All Armed Guards are required to qualify with their assigned handgun, shotgun, and/or rifle to be used at least once a calendar year. Every officer is required to shoot a qualifying score of no less than 80% . An officer who fails to qualify during the initial attempt will immediately be given a second opportunity to qualify. In the event an officer fails at both attempts it will be counted as one Official Failure of Guard Firearms Standards.

(b) Any officer who officially fails to initially qualify will receive eight (8) hours of remedial training and will be given two more additional attempts to qualify. (A total of 4 attempts, 2 initial under the official attempt and two after 8 hours of remedial training for a total of 4 separate shooting attempts.)

(c) Any officer failing to qualify after eight hours remedial training will be removed from an armed post and will not be allowed to retry for a minimum of one year.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 832-X-1-.08

New Rule: Filed January 26, 2011; effective March 2, 2011. Amended: Filed June 29, 2012; effective August 3, 2012. Amended: Filed February 24, 2014; effective March 31, 2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2017, eff. 3/13/2017.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2018, eff. 9/3/2018.

Author: Alabama Security Regulatory Board

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-27C-3(a) (1).