Professionalizing security

I think the best way to professionalizing security is giving training with field work. Delegation of authority and giving some responsibility during training time bring professionalism in security guards.

Security is what it is. With the exception of a very few specialty units, Ontario Power Generation as an example, there is no REAL desire for change by the people that control  how this will play out. Ontario's security industry is just as much as farce today as it was 20 years ago.

Ontario-

With the present PSISA nothing has really changed other than security guards are now forced to pay for training and licensing out of their own pocket. With that Act and the imposed training nothing got better. Still doing the same job at minimum wage. 

Security guards are not going to get expanded authority. It has been made abundantly clear - that is what the police are for. So accept the job for what it is. Trying to expand the scope of the average security job simply won't be allowed. The head of that snake will be cut off promptly by police services, police associations. The good old purses of the security consumers will snap closed due to fear that more training and authority will demand an extremely higher cost.

Now more importantly for security guards, they should start fighting for better wages and benefits so you can live beyond simply existing. Training and authority don't put a roof over your head nor food in your belly! You should be paid a living wage for what you are doing now.

Once that is achieved....then start your battle for better training and authority.

Security guards are a disposable (scape-goat) entity. A necessary evil to keep insurance rates down.

All three! More training, makes us more versatile, and can lead to more enjoyment on the job, and different(more challenging assignments), and better serve the public. Skills and certs. Pay? Yes, after a probation $20 per hour for Yukon. Responsibility: for pride in our work, that we are making an active difference.

Good afternoon!

I work for Professional Security Knowledge Network and we believe that the security industry is becoming more and more stable; in terms of professionalism. We believe strongly in the idea of building your "Knowledge Network". This means that individuals should continually seek for more training to further develop their skills and competencies. 

I believe that all three of your points are valid; however, I also believe that there should be mandatory training when working for an employer as a security officer. That way security officers stay sharp by continuously learning. 

Google us!

We are a growing organization and would love to have some feedback! We provide some free courses as well if anybody is interested in trying us out!

I think what you mentioned in the initial question would  play a big role in professionalizing the Security industry. I am referring to training. The security industry has taken a bad rap over the years. In many cases people forget who is first on the scene for example and therein lies a big reason to have training.
Training promotes pride in what people do. There are many programs that security persons could be taught that increases their awareness and confidence in themselves. 
I am only new to this forum but for me an area of learning that would be a huge benefit would be that of learning the value of fingerprint identification. I know that a lot of the police department members go to a call but they dont have any experience in that area. Think of the pride one would have just in having the knowledge of maybe being able to point out areas of interest that the police identification section would have an interest in when reporting your finds to the police. Another area of knowledge to have would be that of foot prints. That is becoming big in identification. How many of you have gone to a scene and not bothered to look down for foot prints in the snow for example that could be evidence?
Sure as security we cannot do the exact job a policeman would do but why should we stop gaining as much related knowledge as we can. The general public then begins to see how well a company is trained and in turn our reputation escalates. 
Steven, you mentioned it in your post, for me training is a performance and reputation builder that does nothing but good for our professionalism.