Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For Oklahoma

The Sooner the Better to Start Working as a Security Guard in Oklahoma

It is a hot and dusty as you peer across the prairie on your daily walk around the fence line. The sun is shining and the quail are chirping their familiar morning call as you check to make sure that no holes have been cut in the fence. As it always is, there are no holes, but a few tumbleweeds have blown in and become lodged between the chain links. You calmly kick them away with your boots and stroll back to the guard booth where a glass of iced tea and your lunch are waiting for you right next to the list of daily deliveries and visitors you can expect to drop by.

The Sooner State is a fantastic place to live and work. This salt of the earth state is full of fabulous people to get to know, and wonderful employers eager to hire and train top notch security professionals. However, just because it is a friendly state, that doesn't mean you can't let your guard down. That's because Oklahoma's crime rate is the 10th highest in the country. It has roughly 469 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, and nearly 30 property crimes per 1,000 residents, with most of these crimes taking place around Oklahoma City, Lawton, Shawnee, Tulsa, Muskogee. This is because these are the cities with high methamphetamine production and usage. In addition to the increase in violence, the production and sale of meth has created a sharp increase in theft as people seek ways to pay for their drug habits. For security professionals, this means that vigilance is essential because whether it is televisions or fertilizer in the warehouse, if it has a "street value," then it can be stolen and sold. 

Oklahoma requires security guards to be registered and licensed. They must be at least 18-years old, be able to prove citizenship, and show that they are of good mental and moral character. They must pass a police or sheriff's record check, and must have an insurance letter or surety bond from their employer. Additionally, security guards must show that they have successfully completed training to work as a security professional. Employers will also require security guards to have a driver's license, strong communication skills, a solid attention to detail, and be in good physical condition.  

Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state, and it has one of the highest crime rates in the country. Murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery are a serious problem within the city, and unarmed security professionals are strongly cautioned about trying to apprehend or confront suspects caught in the commission of a crime. Indeed, if a security professional sees something, they should assess the situation and relay that information on to law enforcement who can then apprehend the criminal. Many times, the detailed information a security guard provides is what it takes to put the final nail in the coffin of a criminal's career. 

Oklahoma City is home to big business. Devon Energy, Love's Travel Stops, Paycom, Hobby Lobby, and many others make their headquarters in the city. Other large companies include Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Southwest Airlines, and Office Max. If you are looking to work for a highly recognized company that offers opportunities for advancement around the country, you will find plenty of options in Oklahoma City.

If you would rather go on livin' on Tulsa time, then take a look at Integris Baptist Medical Center, St. Francis Heart Hospital, American Airlines, or Verizon. Each have sizable operations in Tulsa and would be happy to hire top-notch professionals who can keep property, patients, employees, and visitors safe.

Are you an Okie from Muskogee? Then you might want to consider working for Georgia Pacific, Wal-Mart, Acme Engineering, Whitlock Packaging, or Owens-Illinois. Muskogee is an industrial town with a solid manufacturing base. This means plenty of jobs for security professionals looking to protect production and distribution centers.

The cost of living in Oklahoma is downright reasonable. It's 82% of the national average which means you can stretch your dollars quite a ways. Groceries, healthcare, utilities, and transportation are just a bit lower than the national median, but housing is considerably less which means you can get quite a bit of house for not a lot of money. For instance, you can expect to spend about $126,000 for a three or four bedroom house.

Security guard salaries vary widely throughout the state. Most new hires can expect to earn about $20,000 per year. This depends on the employer, the individual's training/experience, and the responsibilities required for the job. The more sensitive the facility, and the greater the risk, the higher the salary will be. As with all jobs, additional training, experience, and dedication to the job can lead to promotions into management positions that pay considerably more.

Oklahoma is a prairie state. That means the wind blows and the tornadoes do touch down from time to time. While most employers don't require it, it is a good idea for security guards to have specialized training in disaster preparedness and emergency response. When the wind isn't blowing, it is hot and sunny during the summer. The state averages 234 sunny days a year, as compared to the national average of 205. It rains in the summer with about 36 inches of rain falling from the heavens much to the delight of the state's farmers. Fortunately, it doesn't snow much in the winter. July is the hottest month with temperatures routinely reaching into the mid-90's, and January is the coldest month with the thermometer dropping into the mid-20's. Oh, and wear sunscreen year round because the sun beats down whether it's hot or cold.

While you will be mighty busy keeping your eyes on work, you will want to take some time off to enjoy the state. There is plenty to see and do, including visiting the Myriad Botanical Gardens, taking a walk through the Oklahoma City Zoo, and catching the Redhawks play minor league ball at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. You can kick up your heels at the Beavers Bend Resort, or splash around in White Water Bay when the temperatures get too hot. And, there's always fishing which is a very popular hobby that "Okies" genuinely enjoy.