certificate III in security firearms institute new changes in firearms training

security new competencies do not institute automatic firearms training licensing changes in Australia

security changes do not institute firearms lincensing changes

Profit Without Honour is Loss

NOTICE FROM SAFECITY TRAINING ACADEMY
Updated 12 April 2004 14:30

All updated information is highlighted in yellow

This website is an "information service" which aims to prevent fraudulent trainers from defrauding security officers and security organisations. It will also put an end to slandering remarks made about Safecity..

If you have evidence about the originators of rumours please contact the NSW Police Service. All reports must be in form of an affidavit or statutory declaration -- the authorities cannot accept hearsay as evidence.

It is essential that all professional and ethical training providers unite in the removal of thieves and fraudulent security trainers. The future of our industry and of our livelihood is now at risk.

If it can be perceived that Security Trainers are incapable of upholding required standards expected by the community and by the Authorities, then the future of Security Training providers is at risk--do take this message very seriously.

Safecity has received a large number of calls from alarmed security professionals and guards concerned about rumoured impending changes to the accreditation process of firearms instructors and armed guards.

Rumour 1

All NSW firearms instructors will soon be required to undergo a Certificate III in Security (Firearms) Course.

Fact:

The Certificate III in Security (Firearms) has not been endorsed for licensing in NSW. Indeed this qualification will cease to exist at the end of June 2004. The replacement qualification will be the Certificate III in Security Operations with the firearms electives.

Safecity conducts the 10832ACT Certificate IV in Security Firearms Instructor. This is a nationally accredited course under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The course has been approved by the NSW Police Commissioner, the Chief of Police (Victoria), the ACT and Western Australia for licensing purposes.

We contacted the NSW Police Firearms Registry and asked them for clarification about these rumours. The Registry official told us they he had no idea where these rumours have originated.

The Registry also told us that, in the event the Registry was to ever implement any new competency standards, they would allow for a substantial and fair transitional period. This means that all security guards and instructors affected would be given ample time to comply.

On the 10th of July 2002, I spoke with the Manager of the NSW Police Firearms Registry who assured me that in the event the Registry was to ever implement the competencies a phase in period of 12 to 18 months or more would apply.

The Manager also told me that he was determined to establish a communication link between instructors and the Registry. This being one of the priorities of the new Management.

Our advice to all NSW instructors and NSW armed guards is: Do not make any decisions about updating to the new training standards until you hear from the NSW Police Firearms Registry.

If a company approaches you and claims that their training is necessary for you to retain your licence or continue to work in the security industry, check with your local Authority before enrolling.

Rumour 2

Safecity is not approved to conduct training or assessment under the new system.

Fact:

This is pure fantasy.

Safecity is authorised to conduct firearms instructor courses. Unethical and fraudulent competitors have stated that Safecity would not be approved to conduct the new programs.

On the other hand, we note that the same unethical training providers are advertising program without having the qualification in their scope. To avoid training with impostors you should always check with the National Training Service Database. Check the credentials of companies offering training and report frauds to the authorities.

NSW: The NSW Department of Education and Training Phone 02-95618000
Victoria: The Office of Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment Phone 03-96372762
Queensland: The Department of Employment and Training Phone 07-32252000
South Australia: The Department of Education, Training and Employment Phone 08-82261466
Western Australia: The Department of Training and Employment Phone 08-92356222
Tasmania: The Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training Phone 03-62337708
ACT: The Office of Training and Adult Education Phone 02-62057066
Northern Territory: The NT Employment and Training Authority Phone 08-89994396

Safecity is also the only training organisation conducting the Certificate IV in Security Industry Firearms Instructor Course.

This course is approved by the NSW Police Firearms Registry for the purpose of licensing instructors and security officers.

It is also approved for licensing instructors and guards in Victoria, ACT and Western Australia. You may view our credentials at www.ntis.gov.au. Our National Registration Code is 1367

Rumour 3

Security guards who carry firearms will also be required to undergo baton and handcuffs training.

Fact:

There is no evidence whatsoever that licensing authorities are requesting security guards who carry firearms to undergo baton and handcuffs training. Moreover, it is important to note that only instructors who hold a Commissioner's Permit are permitted to conduct Defensive Tactics, Baton and Handcuff Courses.

Safecity encourages all security guards to obtain training in defensive tactics baton and handcuffs before undertaking training in firearms handling.

We agree that security guards should receive comprehensive training in conflict management skills and in defensive tactics, baton and handcuffs training.

Confirm with your local Licensing Authority before believing claims suggesting that a new course is compulsory to retain your security or instructor licence.

If you have undertaken a course and paid money under false pretences you may be eligible for a refund. Contact the Department of Fair Trading in your State.

Rumour 4

Victoria Police have signed off the competency standards and will be adopting them.

Fact

We contacted Senior Sgt. Tocock at the Victorian Police Firearms Registry. Senior Sgt. Tocock told us that he had not signed off the competency standards but had in fact rejected them. He went on to say that he was interested in the concept of a training package but was not happy with the quality of the content of the package. Sen. Sgt. Tocock said he had communicated this information to the developers of the package.

The Certificate III in Security (Firearms) will cease to exist at the end of June 2004. The replacement qualification will be the Certificate III in Security Operations.

Rumour 5

Student manual is already available for purchase for use on the course

Fact

All RTOs who have these competencies on their scope will be able to develop training materials to comply with the new requirements. Do not purchase any training manuals until you have received notification from your local Authority.

If a training provider offers you the "latest training manuals" check with your local authority before purchasing these manuals. Reports all frauds to the authorities listed above.

The Certificate III in Security (Firearms) will cease to exist at the end of June 2004. The replacement qualification will be the Certificate III in Security Operations with the firearms electives. All training manuals related to this qualification will no longer be valid under the AQTF.

If you have purchased manuals under false pretences ,you may be eligible for a refund. Contact the Department of Fair Trading.

Rumour 6

One training provider has been officially or unofficially endorsed by the NSW Police Weapons Training Unit

Fact

This is complete and utter nonsense.

The NSW Police Weapons Training Unit has never endorsed any trainer or commercial organisation, nor have they ever appeared in public on an official basis about this issue.

We spoke with a senior official at the NSW Police Firearms Registry and he categorically stated that the Firearms Registry has not been represented at any recent meetings.

We also found out that a member of the New South Wales School of Operational Safety Training did attend a recent meeting. There is nothing to suggest impropriety about this issue. The officer was merely attending to report on the competencies, as the SOST has had some involvement in their development.

To suggest that the officer was in collusion and endorsed any commercial organisation is totally and absolutely false.

The NSW Police Weapons Training Unit is one of the most professional units within the NSW Police Service.

I have had personal dealings with some of the members during our accreditation process, and I know that they would never endorse a commercial organisation over another, nor become involved in slander and dissemination of false information. For two reasons:

Their integrity and professionalism
All NSW Police Officers are under direct instruction from the Commissioner not to become involved in any activity which can constitute a conflict of interest

I also have every confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the Registry's new management.

Rumour 7

Safecity conducted an Instructor Course in 4 days and had to borrow firearms to complete the program

Fact

We have never shortened the duration of our courses and never will. All programs conducted by Safecity are supervised by myself, Fred Schwetz and a member of Quality Assurance. Those who have trained with Safecity know how particular we are about training standards and course durations.

All our attendance registers , shoots records and assessment activities are documented and kept indefinitely. We also hold video tape evidence of various activities. These records are regularly inspected by the State Training Authorities and are available to the NSW Police Firearms Registry at anytime.

I am a licensed firearms dealer, and Safecity Training Academy has an armoury which includes training handguns to be used primarily by our instructors.

We do insist that all instructor candidates train using their own firearms and accessories that they will be using in the workplace. This is consistent with Best Training Practices.

Whenever we conduct an overseas or interstate training assignment, we prefer to use locally licensed firearms for obvious reasons. For security reasons I am also hesitant to ship firearms outside NSW or overseas.

I have obtained affidavits about the slander that was spread at a recent meeting of instructors. I will spare no resources in tracking the person responsible for spreading this vicious slander.

When I have identified the person (or persons) responsible, I will sue this individual for defamation.

In the interest of fairness, I ask your assistance in providing me information about the identity of this individual. We know what he looks like, we simply need his name and address. Details of informants will be kept confidential.

"Once the competency standards are endorsed by ANTA, there will be a substantial implementation process.

Firstly, an Implementation Guide is made from the standards to provide appropriate guidelines for assessment and qualifications.

Then the other states of Australia will need to adapt the implementation guide to their particular needs. This state-based implementation varies from state to state.

After the implementation has been agreed upon within a state, the licensing / regulatory body (in NSW it is the Firearms Registry) will look at the standards and endorsed materials and make a decision about whether they want to shift to the new standards as part of the licensing requirement."

The new competencies and qualifications have been endorsed by ANTA and are now on the NTIS database. Registered Training Providers who have these competencies in their scope can conduct the training. Safecity has the competencies in its scope and is authorised to conduct the new courses.

The Certificate III in Security (Firearms) will cease to exist at the end of June 2004. The replacement qualification will be the Certificate III in Security Operations which is currently available from Safecity.

Safecity supports the concept of the training package and nationally recognised competencies. Please do not blame the Training Package or National Competencies for the behaviour of a few unethical trainers.

The Training Package is all about competency, fairness, improvement and professionalism. Support the package and report those who abuse it--it is our only chance of achieving recognition from the Authorities and the public we serve.

Safecity is now awaiting directives from the respective licensing authorities. The NSW Firearms Registry has made it clear that they will be providing ample time for transition if and when they decide to adopt the new training package.

Our advice to all security guards and instructors is to wait until the respective licensing bodies contact them. Do not be alarmed by outrageous claims from opportunists and fraudulent trainers. You will be given ample opportunity to crossover to the new system if and when the licensing bodies decide to adopt it.

What will Safecity do if the Firearms Registry implements the new competencies?

Whilst I usually refrain from exploring conjectures, I feel that, on this occasion, I must make clear Safecity's best practice policy with regards to transitional training and the alignment of competencies.

This will help prevent profiteers and unethical trainers from, yet again, abusing helpful reforms for commercial gain.

For this reason, we have written to the NSW Police Firearms Registry suggesting that a condition for reaccreditation of all Instructor Course Providers (such as Safecity) will be that they provide free transitional training to all instructors who have graduated from their courses.

This will prove the Instructor Course Provider's commitment to the Industry and their customers.

In the event that the NSW Police Firearms Registry decide to implement any future changes (and this has not been announced)