2025 Campus Security Officer (CSO) Recertification Training

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Description

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is pleased to announce “Campus Security Officer (CSO) Recertification Training,” a two-day course that satisfies Virginia’s mandated recertification training requirements for college/university campus security personnel.  

CSO certification is valid for 2 years. Within those 2 years, CSOs are required to receive 16 hours of campus security-related training and have their point of contact submit a recertification application and accompanying documentation to DCJS. This 2-day course consists of the topics below:

Day 1 - Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) - Morning Session

Many individuals planning to carry out acts of targeted violence may display threats or observable behaviors that raise concern in others. Recognizing these threats or changes in behavior can assist you, as a school community member, in keeping your school safe. The ability to identify potential warning signs and understand where to seek assistance can help in preventing acts of targeted violence, such as but not limited to terrorism, school shootings, or mass attacks in public spaces.

The Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) is a three-hour introductory training that focuses on a behavioral approach to violence prevention. It raises awareness about the risk factors, triggers, stressors, and warning behaviors that could influence a person's decision to commit an act of targeted violence. A key component of the training is the emphasis on community involvement, encouraging individuals to seek help for those at risk, thus promoting a shared responsibility in violence prevention. The training also highlights the importance of respecting individuals' privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. 

Day 1 - LivingWorks safeTALK - Afternoon Session

This workshop will provide attendees with practical skills to help notice signs and respond to situations where thoughts of suicide may be present. Exploring personal and community attitudes to seek and provide help is a key theme. 

You learn to:

• Understand how to reach out to someone with thoughts of suicide

• Help someone KeepSafe by connecting them to further support

• Talk openly about suicide through a 4-step model

Day 2 - Control Tactics for Campus Security Officers

Campus Security Officers are tasked with the responsibility of keeping students, staff, and visitors safe on campuses across the Commonwealth.  During the course of daily patrol, officers face the possibility of becoming involved in a situation where they may need to defend themselves from a physical attack or come to someone’s aid. This 1-day course has been specifically designed to meet the training needs of unarmed security officers and provide them with the knowledge and skills to increase safety on campus. This course will feature classroom instruction, and hands-on practical exercises. 

Topics to be addressed:     

• Use of Force
• Officer Presence
• Verbal De-escalation Skills
• Liability
• Basic Self-Defense Techniques

Intended Audience:

This training is open to all Campus Security Officers.

Training Time and Details:

Registration will begin each day at 7:30 am

The training hours for both training days will be 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.  

Partial In-Service Credit (PIC):

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) for security officers will be available. 

Travel, Lodging, and Meals:

Participants are responsible for their transportation, lodging, and meals. 

Registration and Cost:

Pre-registration is required.  There is no cost to attend this training.

You can register for one or both days. 

Please click here to register for the Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO)

Please click here to register for the Control Tactics Training

Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course.