Denver Security Guard Training Course 16-Hour Online Guard Card Class
On-Demand CourseCourse Overview
This 16-hour online course fulfills Denver's pre-licensing training requirement for new security guard license applicants, covering the four mandated core topics — duties of a security guard, use of force, communication protocols, and interaction with law enforcement — under Security Compliance Academy's Denver Eligible Training Provider Authorization #282.
What's Included
- • 16 hours of comprehensive training
- • Professional certification upon completion
- • Access to course materials
Learning Objectives
- • The legal foundation of the Denver security guard role: DRMC Chapter 32, the "Report, Deter, Deny, Detain" principle, and the three license categories (individual, employer, provider authorization)
- • Colorado's use-of-force standard for private security: the two-part legal test (lawfulness of the interaction, then reasonableness and proportionality of force)
- • Radio procedure and the NATO phonetic alphabet, plus recognizing and responding to mental health crises
- • The critical legal distinction between a security guard and a police officer — authority, arrest powers, use-of-force limits, and search authority compared side by side
- • Patrol, observation, and threat assessment using the baseline-anomaly-action model
- • Emergency response: medical emergencies, CPR/AED basics, stroke recognition (the F.A.S.T. method), and severe bleeding response
- • Report writing discipline — proper pocket notebook technique, documenting patrol details and public interactions — plus career pathway options (endorsements, ASIS CPP, FAA Part 107 for drone-integrated security work)
Course Content
Course Introduction
- • About Security Compliance Academy (SCA) and its credentials
- • Denver's licensed-profession framework: DRMC Chapter 32
- • Course purpose: foundational training, delivery of the four mandated core topics, and development of professional standards
- • The four core topics required by the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses
Module 1: Foundations — Role & Duties of the Denver Security Guard
- • Learning objectives tied to DRMC Chapter 32
- • The "Report, Deter, Deny, Detain" principle and its legal basis
- • What a Denver-licensed security guard is, and public perceptions vs. legal reality
- • The legal foundation of the license itself
Module 2: Colorado & Denver Legal Framework
- • DRMC Chapter 32 in depth: what it establishes and how it's administered by the Department of Excise and Licenses
- • The three license categories: Individual License, Employer License, and Provider Authorization
- • License review and compliance obligations
Module 3: Use of Force & Defensive Decision-Making
- • The Colorado use-of-force standard for private security
- • Legal basis for physical force by a private person making an arrest
- • The two-part test: Part One (lawfulness of the use of force) and Part Two (reasonableness and proportionality)
- • What "reasonable and appropriate" means under Colorado law
Module 4: Communication & De-escalation
- • Radio procedure and the NATO phonetic alphabet
- • Radio fundamentals: push-to-talk discipline, call-sign protocol, avoiding long-winded traffic
- • Emergency radio break-through procedures
- • Mental health crisis recognition and Denver-area resources
Module 5: Interaction with Law Enforcement
- • Security guard vs. police officer: the critical distinction
- • Side-by-side comparison of legal status, arrest authority, use-of-force governance, and search authority
Module 6: Patrol, Observation & Threat Assessment
- • The baseline-anomaly-action model
- • Building and documenting a reliable baseline
- • Choosing an appropriate response to an anomaly
- • Threat assessment fundamentals
Module 7: Emergency Response & Active Threat
- • The universal first three steps for medical emergencies
- • Cardiac arrest and unresponsive-person response, including AED use
- • Severe bleeding response (direct pressure, tourniquet application if trained)
- • Recognizing stroke symptoms using the F.A.S.T. method
Module 8: Report Writing, Court Readiness & Career Pathways
- • Pocket notebook discipline and the professional standard for entries
- • What belongs in the notebook: patrol details, public interactions, and more
- • Career pathway options: specialty endorsements, ASIS CPP certification, FAA Part 107 remote pilot for drone-integrated security work
- • Module 8's own 30-question quiz (80%+ to pass)
Final Quiz
- • 50 multiple-choice questions covering all 8 modules
- • 80% or higher (40 of 50 correct) required to receive your Certificate of Training Completion
Your Instructor
Catherine D. Flowers
Catherine Flowers brings 30+ years of investigative expertise as a licensed PI and FAA-certified drone pilot. A passionate NCAPI speaker and NC Education Committee member, she specializes in complex litigation, drawing from extensive experience that includes criminal investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this course meet Denver's security guard licensing requirement?
Yes. It fulfills the 16-hour pre-licensing training requirement under Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 32, delivered by Security Compliance Academy under Denver Eligible Training Provider Authorization #282.
How long does the course take?
16 hours, self-paced, across 8 modules plus a course introduction and final quiz.
Who needs to take this course?
Anyone applying for a new Denver Security Guard License. It's also useful for aspiring or working security professionals in Colorado more broadly.
What are the four core topics this course covers?
Duties of a Security Guard, Use of Force, Communication Protocols and Procedures, and Interaction with Law Enforcement — the four topics the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses mandates for every approved 16-hour pre-licensing course.
How is the course graded, and how do I get my certificate?
Module 8 has its own 30-question quiz (80%+ to pass), and the course ends with a cumulative 50-question final exam covering all modules. Score 80% or higher (40 of 50) and your Certificate of Training Completion — including your name, the Provider #282 reference, and a verification ID — is generated automatically.
Is this the same course I need for annual renewal?
No. This is the 16-hour pre-licensing course for new applicants. SCA separately offers an 8-hour annual renewal course required to keep an existing Denver Security Guard License current.
Do I need any prior experience to take this course?
No prior security or licensing experience is required — this is the entry-level course for new Denver Security Guard License applicants.
What Our Students Say
"Catherine Flowers delivered exceptional active shooter response training for our organization that went far beyond basic protocols. Her real-world experience and emphasis on practical application made the training immediately valuable for our staff. She understands the unique challenges faced by victim service organizations and tailored the content to address our specific needs. The combination of situational awareness training and hands-on scenarios gave our team the confidence to implement critical safety protocols. Her professional approach and extensive knowledge made this one of the most valuable training investments for our staff's safety preparedness."
Rhonda Raney
Executive Director of InterAct in Raleigh