[Mitigating liability through intensive training]
Arizona security guard training through Privateer Academy
Privateer Academy is a virtual reality simulation enhanced training facility designed to prepare security professionals for the demands of modern private security.
Two-Phase Mastery
Our minimum training pathway for armed Privateers begins with an internally designed 80-hour private security academy, followed by an equally demanding tactical immersion phase. Graduates earn three NRA certifications, DPS credentials, and concealed handgun permit qualifications.
Ready to enlist in the academy?
Choose your path below to secure a seat in our next class or review the details of a reservation you've already made. If you're looking specifically for Arizona DPS guard card classes or renewal training first, start with our Guard Card Classes page.
Why We Train Beyond the Minimum
At Privateer, we view training as one of the clearest drivers of liability reduction, service quality, and operational consistency. Arizona's state minimums create an entry point into the profession, but they are not enough on their own to prepare officers for the complexity of modern private security work. Our academy is designed to go far beyond that baseline with an internally built 80-hour core curriculum focused on decision-making, communication, lawful response, documentation, client interaction, and practical field readiness. We continue that development after deployment through recurring in-service training, scenario work, and contract-specific skill building so Privateers grow more capable over time instead of plateauing after a licensing course.
Liability Mitigation
Meticulous instruction ensures Privateers maximize effectiveness in duty while minimizing liability through intense education.
Continuous Development
Weekly follow-on education sharpens and develops skills over time with contract and role-specific mastery.
Trusted by Communities
Thorough preparation builds confidence with the public and elevates the professionalism of every Privateer.
Academy Amenities
Located in sunny Tucson, Arizona, our academy features a cutting edge technological training experience, complete with firearms simulators that provide unique training experiences, a highly detailed, entertaining classroom environment aided by video, slide presentations and live demonstrations, and more! By using high tech, cutting edge simulators, we are able to train our privateers in far more than just use of force. Our use of force training simulators are so advanced that they can see and hear our students, and allow for de-escalation, intermediary uses of force such as taser and pepper spray, and other measures to be practiced along with traditional use of firearms. We can train with all types of weapon platforms as well, which means more tools for more jobs, and more training to handle the more difficult tasks. We can also combine simulators, throwing a medical situation in the middle of a tactical situation and requiring officers to work together to handle complex multi-emergency situations such as wounded people and active shooters. All this technology amounts to unparalleled training opportunities with limitless repetitions, without the traditional major financial overhead or associated risks and liabilities. It's a win-win situation!
Immersive Simulation
Virtual reality and firearms simulators capture nuanced communication, de-escalation, and decision-making.
Engaging Classrooms
Video, live demonstrations, and collaborative instruction keep Privateers engaged from day one.
Multi-Scenario Drills
Combine medical, tactical, and crowd scenarios to sharpen response in complex multi-emergency situations.
Limitless Repetition
Train safely with repeatable, high fidelity evolutions that reduce overhead while elevating readiness.
Academy Syllabus
Simulators are great, and they are very helpful tools in teaching. Our real product, however, is our curriculum. Developed by professionals with decades of street experience and training, Privateer teaches a security guard specific curriculum that is not found anywhere else in the United States. Thusly, those that graduate our academy are not given the title of 'security guard'. Our alumni earn the title of 'Privateer'. Our initial education course is a whopping 40 hours in length, and covers subjects such as:
- All applicable Arizona law
- Uniform & Grooming Standards
- Report Writing
- Verbal Communications & Human Relations
- Radio Communications
- Basic Human Tracking & Crime Scene Preservation
- Foot Patrol
- Vehicle Patrol
- Chemical Sprays
- Baton
- Taser
- Hand to Hand (Basic Krav Maga)
- Guard Management Software
- Ethics
After our privateers graduate from the "academic" portion of the academy, they move to the "tactical" portion, a punishing 40 additional hours of intense physical and academic combat training designed specifically for security professionals. Graduates of this portion will earn three NRA certifications, in addition to their armed guard DPS certification and concealed handgun permit credentials. Our second evolution syllabus includes:
- NRA Basic Pistol
- NRA Basic Rifle
- NRA Basic Shotgun
- Active Shooter Intervention (alice Methodology)
- Vehicle Tactics
- Team based operations
- Bomb threat management
Hours - Academic Foundation
Core instruction and professionalization create Privateers who stand far above industry minimums.
Hours - Tactical Evolution
Scenario-driven training, weapons certifications, and intensive drills convert knowledge into instinct.