looking for info-Canada :(

[jaxdesmond]

Well I think everyone on here has been pretty clear that you need to start at the bottom and work your way up. This isn't an industry where you can wake up one morning and say "Hey I think I'll be a bodyguard today".

You need to develop the skills necessary to do the job, whether it be event/club security or Close Protection, lives depend on you.

This is the most common way that people get hurt or killed is when someone takes a job they aren't qualified for. As all of us have suggested start by joining the military, police or contract security.

However if you're adamant about pursuing this position you found on Craigslist then I here's some answers to your questions:

1) If they're not specific about what the job entails then ask. This is quite common in CP work but not so much in the club setting. Ask what club or event it's for, research them to determine what problems they've had in the past. Find out if it's contract or in house, what training you'll be given and how soon you'll be thrown into the dance floor.

2) The best piece of advice I can give you is dress for the job you want, not the job you're applying for. In other words dress for success. Most high-end nightclubs want their door supervisors in suit so a jacket and tie are not overdressed. Other options include a golf shirt and khakis (a signature CP look) or a collared shirt and slacks. Show up clean shaven and to answer your questions about glasses... wear contacts.

3) Aside from the norm, be prepared for security related questions and to provide specific examples about how you've reacted to problem scenarios in previous employment.

4) If you don't have security experience then you can't exactly make it up. Detail your experience in customer service, guest relations and any sports background you've had to show you're athletic. Examples would be martial arts, football, hockey, baseball. Anything to show you're in shape. Highlight first aid training and volunteer experience.

5) As I've already said the best piece of advice I have for you is not to take this job. You're not ready for a nightclub setting yet. Start at the bottom and work your way up. If you really want to work in a club setting then ask to start as a bar back and slowly move into security.

6) Based on the fact they don't seem to be looking for experienced guards I don't think you require a cover letter although it might help to address why you're looking for a change in career paths and what your objectives are.

[pavelgerla]

"As all of us have suggested start by joining the military, police or contract security."

I'm sorry, maybe I misunderstood that, wouldn't this be contract security?
since they are a "security company"?

"Ask what club or event it's for, research them to determine what problems they've had in the past. "

Will do. By event/club, I take it this will vary, will it not? Or are companies asked to always provide the same people for the same place?(That would make it easier in knowing what to expect)

point #2: will do

point # 3: will do, actually answered my own question with a search of these forums, by you repeating it reiterates the importance of the point, thank you

point #4: I have some martial arts experience, have/occasionally do play football, and soccer, I love mountain biking, and am now in a boxing class/member of a gym. <--would I put this in interests on my resume or, it's not exactly date definable experience.

point #4: I'm not sure what the British equivalent would be, but I have a "Standard 1st aid with CPR level C" by the St. John's Ambulance, which I acquired fall of last year.

Point #5: "If you really want to work in a club setting then ask to start as a bar back and slowly move into security"

Will do, as well as ask about the training and how soon I will be thrown on the dance floor as you also stated. The reason this ad caught my eyes was due to the no experience necessary. I am still pursuing my License to act as a guard, which, oddly enough you don't need as a door supervisor. Ugh, can we please take the same approach as Britain? : )

I'm not sure if this writing comes off in a sharp tone, as I do not in any way shape or form intend it to appear that way, I am grateful for the advice being given to me, as I know it will make the difference, and have the foresight to know if not now, then in the future.




Also, as a further thing, a bit off subject, I hear two things on these forums, that I'm wondering about:

Q1: A lot of people use the words "life skills", could someone be a bit specific? Is that meant as in time management, etc, or am I not understanding this properly?

A2: By CP I was under the impression people meant Body guarding, but it seems to e used for Door Supervision as well. Are the demands not very different?

Am I under the wrong impression that Door supervision is a mix of Security and Negotiation?

As always, thank you, and sorry about the long read

[jaxdesmond]

I actually called the company and it is contract security that specializes in bar security. I wasn't impressed however when I saw a picture of me on their website. That will be dealt with separately.

Anyhow, CP and Door Supervision are two very different roles often mistaken for being the same by less experienced door supervisors.

A door supervisor is the gentleman in the suit who stands at the entrance of a trendy nightclub and checks ID's, performs pat downs, evicts unruly patrons and manages access control.

CP or Close Protection is a fancy term for bodyguard. This is a highly trained specialist who's role is to provide personal protection to an individual.

Please email me your phone contact information as I think we can answer a lot of your questions in a ten minute conversation. My email is jdesmond@ops-int.com

[pavelgerla]

My contact information has been sent.

Thank you for the breakdown between the two, you confirmed what I thought.

Also, hope you get the problem sorted out.

[Regal Security Training Ltd]

Hey Jax
Good to see ya on here, Hope that Litrature was ok i sent, i have new stuff being put onto
Power Point as we speak, but i have been a little busy referbing my new Offices.
thats Two 19 year olds now that i know of, mind you one is my son a baby BG ha ha ha.
but they have time to learn there craft now, mine is under my wing and will be with Marty and Marcus very soon i hope.
Anyway mate stay safe

Brummie

[jaxdesmond]

Hey Brummie, thanks so much again for the lit mate. It was excellent. Yeah got to love the 19 year olds hey mate. How's your son's class doing? Say hi to Marcus and Marty for me. Keep safe.

Jax

[raptor15]

check out http://www.info-canada.com

[a51541476]

Pavelgerla:

1. You have received some very sensible advice. The fact is that you are too young to be taken seriously in the CP field.

2. By the way, if you want to work legally as a bouncer (Door Supervisor in UK terms) in Ontario, you do need to be licensed as a security guard. s.2(5), Private Security and Investigative Services Act (Ontario), S.O. 2005, c.34 specifically lists "bouncer" as an example of the kind of jobs that need a security guard licence. You can read the Act for yourself at the following site: Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 34

3. In Ontario, bodyguards need to be licensed as well. However, the licence and minimum training required by law are exactly the same as for an ordinary security guard. Unlike the UK sia, there is no special licence or training required for bodyguards. This is a serious flaw in the legislation and regulations, and denotes a complete lack of understanding by politicians and the Registrar of the differences between bodyguards and security guards. That said, this is the way the law currently stands in Ontario. (Note to the Brit CP Chaps on this Forum: You may love or hate the SIA and may disagree with its approach to prescribing the training standards and licensing for CP operatives. The SIA's approach for CP is light years ahead of what we have in the Province of Ontario, Canada.)

4. To obtain a licence you will need to meet minimum eligibility standards and pass the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services' prescribed training. For further details on licensing requirements, training and eligibility, please check out the Ontario Registrar of Private Security and Investigative Services (Ontario's equivalent to the UK SIA) website: Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services - PSISA

5. Once you have a licence you can go to work for a security company or other registered employer that employs in-house security guards. Working as a security guard or bouncer will give you some experience, but if you want to get into the CP field, you will need more to offer to a potential employer. You will need to obtain more education, recognised training and experience (practical security experience, plus life experience).

6. You should be aware that Canada is generally viewed as a LOW threat environment and there is not a large market for CP/Executive Protection in this country. This means that there are not a lot of CP jobs in Canada. If you do get into this field, it is more likely that you would find jobs outside Canada.

7. Here are some suggestions:

• Enrol in Community College and take a 2-year Law and Security Diploma programme. This will give you an initial grounding in security. You can find such programmes at Humber College, Seneca College or Sheridan College.
• Take the Ontario Registrar's prescribed course to obtain a security guard licence. Obtain your licence and work in security whilst you go to school. Don't run out and seek CP courses/training. There are some training providers in Ontario (some of whom are reputable). They will take your money and train you, but that will not get you a CP job. Wait a few years, gain more education, security training and experience, and then when you are older, seek out a good provider of CP training.
• You could consider the military route. You could join the Army Reserve Military Police and serve part-time whilst going to school. This will get you military law enforcement and security training. As a Reservist, once you are fully trained (typically 2 years after enrolment and on reaching the rank of Corporal) there are opportunities for work during the summer, or you could volunteer for service in Afghanistan, where you would gain lots of operational experience.
• Trained Army Reserve MPs (again, minimum of Corporal rank) can apply for Close protection training. If they pass CP selection (not everyone does), they will be given the opportunity to go on the MP Close Protection Course alongside Regular Force MPs. If they pass the course, they will have plenty of opportunity for operational employment on a CP team in Canada, Afghanistan or elsewhere. Serving as a Reservist gives you the opportunity to assess the Army and see if it is your cup of tea, and to get plenty of training and some experience. If you decide that you like the Army, once trained, you can apply for transfer to the Regular Force and do this as a career. If not, as a Reservist, you can release pretty much any time you choose (except in time of war or national emergency).
• There is an Army Reserve Military Police unit in Toronto - 32 MP Platoon, located at the Denison Armoury in Downsview. 32 MP Platoon has a small number of vacancies and may be recruiting this year. For further details, please go to the Canadian Forces Recruiting website: http://www.forces.ca/v3/default_html.aspx?bhcp=1 At the website, you will find contact details for the closest CF Recruiting Centre. Visit the CF Recruiting Centre to get more details of Reserve service and how to join. If you decide to apply the Recruiting Centre will arrange for you to be interviewed by 32 MP Platoon, who can decide if you have what it takes to serve as an MP. Being older would help, but there are some people your age currently serving as Reserve MPs.
• If the military is not your cup of tea, then instead of studying Law & Security at Community College, you could take Police Foundations. After two years, once you have graduated with a Police Foundations diploma, you could apply to join a Police Service (Toronto Police, Peel-Regional Police, OPP, etc.). Before pursuing this route, you should do some research to see if you meet minimum health/medical entry standards for joining the Police. Once you join a Police service, you would have to serve for a number of years performing general policing duties (i.e. beat patrol) before you could apply for more specialised work, such as CP. Note that not all Canadian police services have a CP or Vip Security unit. This function is typically found only in the RCMP, OPP and larger municipal/regional police services.

Good luck to you!

Regards,

Dave