Private Investigations: FAQs
Q: What levels of security guard are there and what is required to apply for each?
Level One
Pursuant to 16.48.2.17 D. NMAC, the following eight hour curriculum is the minimum training required and must be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level one licensing:
- Legal training for security guards – four (4) hours
- Legal responsibilities, qualifications, restrictions and liability of level 1 security guard
- Introduction to use of force continuum, appropriate use of force and de-escalation techniques.
- Powers of detention and New Mexico laws of citizen arrest
- Appropriate search and seizure, legal restrictions and civil liability
- New Mexico laws on trespass
- Authority and responsibility of the security guard – two (2) hours
- Communication with local law enforcement, jurisdiction and limitations of authority
- Radio dispatch protocol and other communication tools
- Image, professional communication, note-taking and report writing
- Incident scene management and preservation - two (2) hours
- Identifying evidence
- Care and handling of evidence
- Securing the immediate area
- Evidence tampering and/or removal
- Witness/participant identification
Level Two
Pursuant to 16.48.2.18 D & E. NMAC, the following sixteen hour curriculum in addition to the Level One training is the minimum training required and should be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level two registration.
- Legal and practical aspects of use of force and personal/employer liability – eight (8) hours
- Verbal and written communication and conflict management – six (6) hours
- First responder basic first aid – two (2) hours
- Specific weapon endorsement
Level Three
Pursuant to 16.48.2.19 D. NMAC, the following sixteen hour curriculum in addition to the Level One and Level Two training and firearm certification is the proposed minimum training to be required and would be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level three registration.
- The five firearms safety rules
- Weapon manipulation
- Types of sidearms
- Firearm retention and equipment
- Firearm storage devices
- Locking devices
- Ammunition and storage
- Training household members
- Hazards of loaded firearms in the home
- Mental conditioning and tactics
- Weapon manipulation and marksmanship
- Threat recognition and judgmental shooting
- Laws pertaining to firearms, deadly physical force and the exercise of the powers of arrest – mandatory four (4) hours minimum
Q: What Are The Requirements For Firearms Training?
Call the Private Investigations Advisory Board at (505) 476-4650 to request a firearms training certification form.