"Osama bin Laden has probably been the biggest boost for private security and investigation employment ever," remarks Kirk Barner. A Sacramento-based private investigator for 18 years, Barner is experiencing incredible demand for his services since 9/11. "I have more offers than I could possibly accommodate."

That fateful day changed us. Our eyes were opened to previously overlooked dangers and stark realities. President Bush frequently reminds all Americans to be vigilant, to be the eyes and ears of the nation. Those in the private security field have built careers on vigilance, and these newly recognized threats have spurred many businesses, agencies, and individuals to invest in that professional vigilance and protection.

Desperate Times

Barner's private investigator license, permits and years of experience could take him anywhere in the country right now. Demand is through the roof, and he must schedule time for sleep. He points out that for anyone wanting a career in the industry, now is an excellent time to start. The need for entry-level security personnel is at an all-time high and not only because of the threat of international terrorism - throughout society, crime prevention has become a major issue.

Public police forces are struggling to respond to crisis situations. Consumers are turning to private security to help protect themselves, their neighborhoods and their businesses. Each state has its own system. In California, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses and regulates all private security-related businesses. These include private patrol operators, private investigators, alarm company operators, repossession agencies, and locksmiths. Firearms and baton training facilities, as well as their instructors, also fall under state jurisdiction.

Licensing and certification ensures that security business operators and specific employees have passed criminal background checks and have met DCA requirements.

Myriad opportunities await anyone who is at least age 18 and has the desire to work in the security field. For many entry-level positions, a high school diploma or GED will suffice, though more specialized positions may require more education, a law enforcement or military background, or industry-specific work experience.

Secure a Career

The most visible position in private security is the uniformed security guard. Security guards may not be sole proprietors and must be employed by a private patrol operator. Private patrol operators provide services to protect persons and/or property on contract. Though entry-level, security guards must pass a state-approved exam and a criminal background check through the FBI and California Department of Justice. They must also be state registered and carry valid guard I.D. Additional training and specific permits are needed to carry firearms, batons, or tear gas. Contract security guards are employed by licensed private patrol operators and must be state registered.

"In-house" security guards are on the payroll of one employer, such as a large department store. Wages are paid directly by the employer and the guard provides security for only that employer. An unarmed in-house security guard is not required to be registered, but in-house security guards with batons or firearms must be registered and carry appropriate permits. Unarmed security guards in Northern California may earn $8 to $13 per hour. Armed security guards make anywhere from $10 to more than $20 per hour. Bay Area positions, with higher living costs, and jobs at facilities needing tighter security such as power plants and pharmaceutical factories, generally pay the higher end of the scale.

Wayne Galloway, California account manager with Phoenix-based AT Systems Security, notes that many managerial positions are also available. "Most people start in the security guard position and work into management, unless they have an appropriate college degree, such as in business management, or other related experience."

Galloway, with 25 years of law enforcement experience, sees demand only increasing. "Since September 11, our clients have raised security levels. As the threat continues and public law enforcement is required to do more than ever, we'll see more businesses, malls, shopping centers, banks and even residential complexes that opt for private security. We've been hiring on a regular basis, full and part-time and even on-call." Security Magazine reports that almost half of the executives responsible for acquiring security personnel at commercial and corporate organizations say their 2001 budget increased for the year as they focused on the top three security concerns - property crime, employee theft and violent crime.

Galloway continues, "Any job candidate must have the desire to work, good judgment and common sense, the ability to determine right from wrong, and the willingness to train and learn. Much of what a security guard learns is site-specific, on-the-job training. Individual employers will assess physical ability, but other than the minimum of 18, there isn't an age restriction. I've had officers work for me into their 60s. There's more diversity than ever before - retired people and spouses looking for supplemental income, college students working their way through school, both genders, all races and all cultures."

Security companies offer many career paths, including investigative and consulting positions. To move beyond security guard, Galloway recommends a college degree in business management, law enforcement or criminal justice. Account managers see to client needs and manage the client- guard relationship. Such a role can earn a salary from $30,000 to $60,000 per year in Northern California, with bonuses for acquiring more clients. Upper-echelon management of interstate companies can garner salaries of $100,000 and more. Careers in government security, such as the secret service, can also earn a six-digit salary and provide international work.

Private Eye

A plainclothes security specialist is also employed by a private patrol operator and must carry a guard card as do uniformed guards. However, this is undercover work and a highly specialized field. Jobs and sites are highly sensitive and can include executive protection, post-bank robbery suppression, workplace violence control, and high-risk school campus investigations. This type of work can earn $25 to $40 per hour. Those high wages make this role far less common, as few clients can afford to sustain such high-level security.

Private investigators, like Barner, conduct investigations for individuals, businesses, attorneys, insurance companies, and public agencies within the areas of civil, criminal, and domestic investigations. This role requires three years of compensated experience totaling 6000 hours or more in investigative work while employed by law enforcement, collection agencies, insurance companies, banks, courts, and private investigation firms, etc. A college degree in criminal law, criminal justice or police science can be substituted for part of that experience. As with any state licensed position, a written exam and criminal history review must be passed.

Private investigators may protect individuals in connection with cases that they've been previously hired to investigate. "The most satisfying part of my job," confides Barner, "is knowing I've provided a service that has helped spare my client's life, either in the physical sense or within the justice system."

Barner, in business for himself and earning $30 per hour and more, concludes, "It's sad that our world's turmoil requires so much from the security and investigative fields, but on the positive side, my work is helping to make life for everyone safer and better."

For more about private security careers, check these websites:

dca.ca.gov/bsis - California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Job descriptions, licensing requirements, fees, and training information.

calsaga.org - The California Association of Licensed Security Agencies, Guards, and Associates is a professional membership services not-for-profit organization providing leadership, information, and education to all members and the general public.

securitymagazine.com - Security Magazine provides daily industry news, informative articles, classified ads, an email newsletter and much more.

pibookstore.com - The P.I. Bookstore helps find reference and how-to book for the private investigator.

pimag.com - P.I. Magazine is the argest, most comprehensive, independent magazine for the private investigation business in the US.

detectivehelp.com - Lists schools, licensing information, supplies and investigative services.

detectivetraining.com - Detective Training Institute. Provides comprehensive home study courses for private investigation.

pvteye.com - Global School of Investigation. Home study courses for private investigation. (888) 337-8839.

lioninvestigationacademy.com - Lion Investigation Academy, A home-study institution. Toll free (877) P I School.

investigatorsacademy.com - The Academy of Private Investi-gation and Security offering home study courses.

pimall.com/nais/home.html - National Association of Investigative Specialists. Private investigation resource includes links on how to become a private investigator, news and information, and supplies.

howtoinvestigate.com - Site provides links and resources to becoming a private investigator.