An Overview of the Door-Supervision and Close-Circuit Television Course in UK

If you want to become a part of the Private Security Industry of United Kingdom, then it is mandatory to get SIA license for door-supervision, security guarding or CCTV camera monitoring.

The main objective of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is to ensure that competent and properly verified individuals as well as organisations deliver the regulated private security services. SIA does not just strive to improve the standard of security services in order to reduce the criminality. It also makes sure that the trained security-officers are capable of delivering the service in accordance to the requirements of the customers. Therefore, SIA regulates the private security industry and give license to the individuals who are responsible for designating various activities within the private security industry and it is illegal to work in this industry without having a SIA license. However, you need to complete various training programs in order to become licensed by SIA for a particular type of job.

For example, you need to complete the door-supervisor training if you want to get the SIA license for door-supervision. On the other hand, if you want to work as a CCTV-camera operator alongside handling other aspects of securing a premise, then you need to have the SIA Public Surveillance license after finishing the respective training program.

SIA has designed different types of training programs for different types of positions in the Private Security industry and you need to complete a training program in order to get the correct license. You need to have a SIA license in order to perform the following tasks as a ‘Closed-Circuit Television’ operator.

1. Monitoring the activities of any member of the public using a CCTV-camera.
2. Focusing, tracking or searching for any individual using different types of CCTV equipment.

It is illegal for a CCTV-operator who does not have a SIA license to perform these tasks and you may have this license after completing the CCTV course in London from an accredited training institute. This training programme usually lasts for three days and is evaluated by two multiple choice examinations along with a practical assessment. Most centres divide the programme in three units enabling you to learn the following skills or to gather the following knowledge.

A) Rules of private security industry

B) How to become an efficient Close-Circuit Television Operator

C) Learning the practical Use of Close-Circuit Television Systems

The SIA license for Public Space Surveillance or Close-Circuit Television operator is valid for three years and may cost you a little over £200. The SIA door-supervisor license also remains valid for three years and you need to go through a separate training programme in order to get this license.

With door-supervisor license, you become eligible to work in a variety of roles within the private security industry. The door supervision course from an accredited centre can help you efficiently perform these tasks. You may learn the following skills or may gather knowledge on following subjects.

A) Operations of the Private-Security industry

B) Primary duties of a Door-Supervisor (protecting a public property and keeping the public safe)

C) Conflict management techniques

D) Physical intervention techniques for the private security industry

It is essential to renew the Door-Supervisor license every three years and you may need to go through a ‘refresher training’ program before the renewal. However, no additional training is necessary if you received the qualification after September 2010 or if the certificate reads Level-2 Award in Door-Supervision (QCF).

The author of this article, Alzbeta Berka, provides information about different educational courses such as level 3 AET training course, PTLLS course online.