A scaffolded assessment pathway for security personnel leading to the new IPSQA Certificate in Public Safety (Security Officer I) certification is now available.
The International Public Safety Quality Assurance (IPSQA) has introduced a new certification program, the Certificate in Public Safety (Security Officer I), designed to enhance the professionalism and competence of security personnel. This comprehensive certification pathway incorporates a scaffolded assessment approach, building upon a foundation of prerequisite CorePass® certifications. The program aims to integrate essential skills and knowledge crucial for security officers, covering areas such as professional conduct, security technologies, and local laws and regulations. Candidates must complete a three-part assessment process, including a supervised multi-choice examination, a practical skills assessment, and a portfolio of verified experience, ensuring a thorough evaluation of their capabilities in real-world security scenarios. This new certification represents a significant step forward in standardising and elevating the qualifications of security professionals across the industry.
Pre-requisites
Prior to assessment for the IPSQA® Certificate in Public Safety (Security Officer I), the candidate must hold:
- CorePass® Stab Resistant Vest User
- ∟CorePass® Tactical Communications
- ∟CorePass® Emergency Bleed Management
- CorePass® First Aid I (Basic) and II (Intermediate)
- CorePass® Workplace Fire Suppression I
- CorePass® Workplace Fire Evacuation I
- Core Pass® Incident Management
- CorePass® Public Safety Radio
- CorePass® Occupational Health & Safety I
- CorePass® Armed Robbery Awareness
- CorePass® Bomb Threat Awareness
- CorePass® Active Shooter Awareness
Optional
- CorePass® Body Worn Camera
- CorePass® Dog Bite Prevention
- CorePass® Public Safety Fitness Test
- CorePass® Hand Held Security Detector User
Syllabus
Building upon the pre-requisite CorePass® certifications, candidates integrate these skills and knowledge along with being assessed in:
- Roles and responsibilities of security officers
- Professional conduct, appearance and ethics
- Security reporting and documentation
- Shift takeover and handover
- Key control procedures
- Access control procedures
- Security technologies including systems, alarms and cameras
- Patrolling and surveillance
- Local laws and regulations
- Real-world security industry professional portfolio
- Compliance with local laws
- Verified experience
- Personal presentation
- Supervisor attestation
- Criminal background clearance
IPSQA® Certificate in Public Safety (Security Officer I)
The Certificate in Public Safety (Security Officer I) requires the successful completion of three parts:
- Part A: Supervised multi-choice capstone examination across pre-requisite theory
- Part B: Practical skills capstone assessment across pre-requisite skills and working within a general rescue context
- Part C: Completion of portfolio of evidence verified experience and criminal background check (Police Clearance) within 6 months of completing Part B.
Part A and B also tests candidates against a sample of knowledge and skill requirements covered in the pre-requisite CorePass® certifications, but under ISO17024 assessment conditions.
Assessment Overview:
Part A: Accredited Testing Centres (ATCs) develop their own examination and submit it for moderation and approval by IPSQA (a fee applies).
Part B: As an ISO17024:2023 compliant certification product, the skill assessment is undertaken by an independent assessor (by subject matter experts). The assessment is not associated with any proprietary training, allowing agencies to deliver pre-assessment training as they best determine, let it be in-house or outsourced to a provider.
Part C: The candidate must also complete a prescribed logbook within 6 months and submit to IPSQA for assessment by a different assessor (assigned by IPSQA), not domiciled in the same country as the candidate as part of our Foreign Interference Protection (FIP) protocol which is unique to IPSQA.
Assessments are conducted in accordance with approved references.
Future Products
Follow on certifications from Security Officer I are being developed allowing professionals to become certified in specialist roles such as:
- Static Guard
- Mobile Guard
- Crowd Controller
- High Value Asset Transport
Country/State specific legal knowledge are being scoped (i.e. CorePass® Security Law: New Zealand) providing the opportunity for security professionals to work internationally through understanding the nuances of laws applicable to security operations in specific countries (such as powers, use of force, human rights, privacy, health and safety etc).
Further information
Contact us or your local Accredited Testing Centre for further information.