Professional Certifications

What are professional certifications?

What do those letters after one's name mean?

Most of us are familiar with the Certified Public Accountant or CPA,  designation but we may not have heard of the myriad of other specialized professional certification programs. Professional titles are more common abroad than in America. But they are catching on rapidly as we look for barometers of competence in our increasingly credentialized society.  This is especially important in a global economy. Persons holding professional designations are recognized around the world.  Such recognition aids in doing business across national borders.  It provides multi-national entities (corporations, governments and the military) with a 'common language'.

Professional certifications are akin to higher education in that they provide a broadening of knowledge. In order to attain the designation candidates must study new material. This expands upon what they have learned on-the-job. And it complements it.

They are somewhat dissimilar to higher education in that there is an experience component to certifications. To become a Certified Protection Officer (this is a common first step for many persons) one must have 6 months of full-time security or police experience or the part-time equivalent. This is before the examination is taken.

In higher education there is generally no experience requirement to obtaining a degree. Note, however, that internships or practicums are part of some programs. And these experiential learning segments are invaluable for understanding the application of theory to practice.

And they often help people to get jobs! Note that approximately 70% of jobs are acquired through networking. An internship is a valuable means of establishing a network.

Both degrees and certifications help people in their careers; but very often they may not aid in obtaining employment. At least not initially in one's career.  They more often than not help someone advance within that employment. A degreed and/or certified individual brings a level of understanding to the employment setting. This gives them the vision to "move up the ladder" into supervisory and managerial roles.

Criminal Justice, Security, Investigation and Certification

In Criminal Justice there has not been a great movement to develop professional certifications. There are user or instructor certifications given out by training firms in how to apply handcuffs, drive vehicles, etc. But professional certification has not caught on, except in the Security and Investigative realm.  There are over 30  professional certifications that protection professionals and investigators  can  acquire. And employers are increasingly asking for job candidates to hold certifications.

In mainstream Criminal Justice accreditation of the organization is gaining ground. The American Correctional Association  as well as correctional associations in other countries has established accreditation programs for correctional institutions.  Similarly, the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies accredits police departments that meet a rigorous set of standards. The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators also accredits campus police departments.  Organizational accreditation  is also given by state organizations such as state police chiefs associations.

Accreditation sets a standard of excellence.  It aids in improving an organization. It also enhances the organization's public image.

Perhaps certification of the individual has not become popular in Criminal Justice because there are often state mandates for the training and licensing of police and corrections officers.

Perhaps accreditation has not become as widespread in Security as in Corrections or Law Enforcement because organizations differ so much. While police departments are relatively similar in most cases, security departments vary considerably.  This is primarily due to the environment that is being protected. A distribution center  is very different from a college. A military base is different than a hotel.  And so on.

Attaining Professional Certification

Persons wishing to achieve certification should view it as a process.  It takes place over time. It can - and should - be approached incrementally.  Those of us that like turtles can appreciate that!

Individual study plans must be developed. One may make up an outline of all the topics they will be tested on. When a reading on a topic has been done a checkmark can be entered.

Some certification programs have self-contained reviews. The learner simply "follows along on the dotted line".

Certification review courses may be attended. Most professional organizations that have established  certifications also offer review programs. For the Certified Protection Professional (CPP), ASIS International offers a 2 day review.  In addition, ASIS chapters often provide short prep courses, study groups and review sessions for local members.

The York College of Pennsylvania Special Programs Office offers a 2 day Certified Protection Officer (CPO) review course.

Taking college courses or non-credit course that support the learning required for certification makes a lot of sense. At York College we have an agreement with the International Foundation for Protection Officers so that students can complete the CPO, Security Supervision and Management Program, CSSM as well as the Crime and Loss Investigation Program at no charge to them.

We use the texts for these programs in some of the courses we offer here so that the YCP classes help prepare people for the certifications.  

This gives students a substantial "leg up" in terms of career development.

A very common practice is for persons to become Certified Protection Officers (CPO's) early in their careers. As they move into the ranks of supervision they complete the Security Supervision and Management Program  and become Certified in Security Supervision and Management (CSSM). After several years of progressively responsible experience they then take the Certified Protection Professional (CPP).

Benefits of Certifcication

Certified individuals also receive recognition from peers, clients and employers. The United States Air Force has adopted the CPP for it's senior level security personnel. The Canadian General Standards Board recognizes the CPO program. Colleges consider certification in promotion and tenure decisions. Employers are increasingly asking for certification of managers and some security contracts identify certification in the Request For Proposal (RFP).  Studies have repeatedly shown a correlation between persons being certified and receiving higher salaries.

Professional certification programs must, however, be given by credible  organizations. They must also include various aspects of  academic knowledge combined with experience and tied together with commitment. Generally this involves adherence to a code of ethics.  It may also include some type of recertification procedure where the holder must keep current within the field of study.