As frontline workers, security officers face things like active shooters and health emergencies. Security work is deadlier than firefighting. In 2022, there were 51 worksite deaths in the security officer and patrol services industry, more than the number of firefighter fatalities that same year. That’s why high quality training is imperative for enhanced safety, risk reduction, and operational professionalism. However, many workers report feeling unsafe at work. In the United States, based on a 2024 survey, the vast majority of security officers (84.6%) said that their employer should do more to protect them from violence, harassment, and discrimination on the job.
Recognizing this critical situation, the California State Legislature and Governor Newsom, at the urging of security officers around the state, responded by enacting the Stand for Security Act (SB 1203). This historic victory strengthens training standards for security officers, including hands-on de-escalation training, and requires employers to compensate officers for required training.
“We thank Gov. Newsom for standing with security officers, a majority of whom are Black and Latino workers, and making sure they have the training, support, and protections they need to stay safe on the job. Too often, security officers are sent into dangerous situations without the training they need to handle them safely Combined with the high turnover across the private security industry, that puts both security officers and the people counting on them at risk. Every security officer deserves to have the training to do their job, the training to handle a crisis, and the chance to make it home safely to their families at the end of the day. The Stand for Security Act is an important step toward ensuring that security officers are better prepared to respond to dangerous situations and prevent violence.” – David Huerta, President of SEIU USWW and Executive Board Member of SEIU California.
“Better training means better prepared officers and safer communities. Every day, security officers face unpredictable situations, and there’s a real fear when you’re put in harm’s way, wondering whether you’ll make it through your shift safely or come out hurt. In those moments, you need to know you have the training to protect yourself and the people around you. The Stand for Security Act requires that security officer training include de-escalation and anti-bias training, better preparing us to respond safely under pressure, prevent violence, and protect lives – including our own. This bill is a testament to the just cause of security officers to improve standards in an industry that overwhelmingly depends on Black and Latino workers. Thank you to Sen. Smallwood Cuevas for her tireless work to lift up our voices and stories, and to Gov. Newsom for listening to security officers and signing SB 1203 into law.” – Latasha Reed, Security Officer from the East Bay, and member of SEIU USWW
Check out our celebration video on Facebook.
