While a career in security can be incredibly rewarding, transitioning to a career in policing is an equally meaningful and attainable option for existing security guards. We’re honoured to partner with the York Regional Police to support Blackbird Security guards in Toronto as they explore careers in policing. In this blog, we'll explore how our collaboration with York Regional Police helps create pathways to law enforcement careers and discuss the valuable skills security guards develop that translate directly to policing roles.
How We Support Blackbird Security Guards on their Path to a York Regional Police Career
At Blackbird Security, we’re proud to offer our security guards significant growth opportunities. One of these opportunities is a pathway to becoming a police officer with the York Regional Police. When a security guard meets the requirements to become a police officer, Blackbird Security leadership will notify the York Regional Police and liaise to provide the security guard with the right information and the next steps to begin their career in policing.
This past November, we hosted a program in collaboration with the York Regional Police Recruiting Department designed to provide insight into the recruiting process of the York Regional Police. The program took an in-depth look at how security experience can serve as a strong foundation for a policing career and provided guidance on skill-building, professional development, and navigating career pathways from security roles to law enforcement.
How a Career in Security Leads to a Career in Policing
Former Blackbird Security loss prevention operative (LPO) Shayde Russell transitioned from a career in security to the RCMP. “I’ve always wanted to go into policing,” said Shayde during an interview with our team. “Dealing with people, clients, workers, and the businesses themselves, learning people skills. That kind of experience really excels in the policing realm.”
When asked what security experiences are most beneficial when transitioning from security to policing, Shayde responded, “I chose LPO because you’re not as uniformed. You have to do things at your own pace and deal with people one-on-one. You get to build more rapport with people and build more relationships.”
While a high-stakes role like loss prevention builds skills transferrable to policing, individuals in all security roles learn skills that can help them become police officers. Here’s a brief overview:
Practical experience: Working as a security guard provides valuable practical experience in handling a variety of real-world, high-tension scenarios similar to those encountered by police officers.
De-escalation and conflict management: Security guards frequently need to de-escalate conflicts and manage challenging situations to maintain safety and order within businesses and the properties they protect.
Stress management: Being a police officer is a stressful job. Security guards develop stress management skills, which better prepare them for a career in policing.
Confidence: A high-stakes industry like security builds confidence in approaching and managing various situations. These experiences build the self-confidence necessary for a policing role.
The Blackbird Difference: Why York Regional Police Recruiters Trust Blackbird Security
At Blackbird Security, we prepare our security guards for success through comprehensive training and real-world experience. Our guards undergo extensive training through our in-house program, Blackbird Academy, with courses covering Canadian law, peaceful de-escalation techniques, emergency response, and professional report writing. This foundation of knowledge aligns with many of the skills required in law enforcement.
Our security guards regularly collaborate with police officers when responding to security incidents, which provides them with valuable experience in documentation and law enforcement processes. Working alongside law enforcement from a security perspective before transitioning to a policing role offers unique insights into procedures.
Additionally, our commitment to community support reflects the community-focused approach of Canadian law enforcement agencies. Blackbird Security guards build positive relationships with the communities they protect, developing the communication and interpersonal skills essential for law enforcement careers.
"Many of us are inspired to one day work as peace officers in various capacities, such as police constable, special constable, correction officer, and transit officer at both provincial and federal levels. Working in security provides great insight into areas that are tested in policing. At Blackbird Security, you can work in both uniform and undercover units, putting your verbal skills to the test when engaging with the public. This focuses on providing the highest level of customer service while also enforcing provincial and federal laws. In some positions, continuous enforcement, including making arrests and engaging with law enforcement on a daily basis, helps us prepare and add to our skill set.”
- Amir Anvarizadeh, National Training and Development Manager at Blackbird Security
Partner With Blackbird Security
The comprehensive training programs, real-world scenarios, and hands-on experience gained by working for Blackbird Security create a strong foundation for our security guards to transition into policing careers. Through our partnership with York Regional Police, we're proud to support our security guards in Toronto as they take their next steps toward careers in law enforcement.
We welcome partnerships with Canadian law enforcement agencies looking to connect with well-trained, experienced security professionals. Use the form below to contact us to learn more about collaboration opportunities.
Please note that all job inquiries must be made on Indeed and will be blocked if made on the form below.