Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (August 2005)

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16 • MarineNews • August, 2005

Maritime cargo has always been a source of risk. As cargo moves, many potential opportunities present them- selves for theft, loss or damage. Quality training has always been a good method to reduce theft, damage or loss. Proper training can help to prevent problems, and ensure that your staff knows what to do when a problem does occur. Proper training can reduce liability and make your security staff operate more efficiently. The need for training is real, and beginning to gain recognition in the maritime world.

In order to get value, the training must accomplish sev- eral things; the training must meet a need you have, or expect to have in the future, the training must be consis- tent, the instructors should be knowledgeable in their field and have training and experience in the world of adult education, and lastly, the training should be credi- ble and not award a bogus "certification."

The training must meet a need you have, or expect to have in the future. Law enforcement organizations have fallen into a trap in many states. Most states require a minimum number of hours of "In-Service" training each year in order for a police officer to maintain his or her police certification. The problem seems to be that there is seldom a specific requirement for the training. Agen- cies are more concerned about the number of training hours, opposed to being concerned about the content and quality of the training. This "hours requirement" often results in the training being selected because it is at a convenient location, or at a convenient time; even though the content is useless or repetitive to the officer. Ideally, training should cover topics that are immediately benefi- cial to the student. The student must see the value in the training, and the connection to his or her job. It's hard to keep someone interested in training if they don't see the value the training brings to their job.

Training must be consistent. People attending the same class, but at different times, should get essentially the same information. This requires lesson plans, organi- zation and quality control. Training is often hastily put together, and often lacks consistency. Any training should be documented by the organization provided the training. Many training organizations, whether in-house or contract, keep a "file copy" of every training class pre- sented. This includes copies of lesson plans, handout material and all presentation material. Training can often differ from class to class, as current events may change what is taught in the class. A file copy of the training can become essential in the event of a negligent security or inadequate training lawsuit to prove exactly what was taught.

The instructors should be knowledgeable in their field, and have training and experience in the world of adult education. In my career, I have noticed several things about instructors. There are a significant number of peo- ple that are very knowledgeable in each field or special- ty that exists. There are also a significant number of very good instructors. There are not, however, a significant number of security instructors that are both very knowl- edgeable and very good instructors. Just because you are knowledgeable in your field doesn't automatically make you a good instructor. Good instructors typically start as industry professionals, have formal training in adult learning instructional techniques, and develop over time.

Lastly, the training should not award a bogus "certifi- cation". There is no possible value to a "certification" awarded after a two-day seminar. There is a huge differ- ence between a certificate of attendance and a certifica- tion. True certifications involve many hours of training plus additional education and experience requirements.

Legitimate certifications involve oversight from an out- side accreditation body, and should not be dependent on one specific training class. Beware of self-certification.

Self-certification means that a certification exists only because the certifying body says it exists, and there is no outside oversight. After 9-11, a Certified in Homeland

Security certification was created by a private company.

The only requirement for certification was experience in the military, as a police officer as a firefighter, in private security or as a physician. Let me re-state that, the only requirement is experience, plus $350, paid with the appli- cation.

LSI: The Need for Training is Real

By Jeffrey Dingle, CPP

Continued on page 35 ®

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