If your jurisdiction does not mandate that public safety officers complete police officer training, then you may instead be required to graduate from an approved security guard training program, which may lead to a state license or certification. The curricula and requirements for these training programs vary from one jurisdiction to the next.
In Arizona, for example, aspiring security guards must complete an eight-hour training program that covers topics such as criminal law, use of force and professional ethics. Security guards who wish to carry firearms must complete an additional 16-hour firearms training course.
Elsewhere, training requirements may be more extensive. For instance, New Yorkers are required to complete a 47-hour firearms training course in addition to the other security guard training courses, and they must complete an 8-hour firearms refresher course each year.
After completing your security guard training program, you may be required to pass an exam before receiving your license or certification. Then, depending on your jurisdiction, it is likely that you will have met the requirements necessary for pursuing a job as a public safety officer.
Note that certain employers may have their own on-the-job training programs. For instance, a large university or hospital campus may require new officers to complete their own field officer training program within a certain time following their hire date. These employer-specific training programs generally acquaint new officers with the policies and procedures of that campus or organization.