Security Officer Jobs in Los Angeles

Security Officer Roles in Los Angeles

Los Angeles assignments span some of the busiest luxury retail corridors in the country, including Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Hills Golden Triangle, Melrose Place, Century City, The Grove and the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Officers also cover lobbies and front desks in office and residential buildings and work product launches and private events.

Southern California luxury stores have been targets of coordinated smash-and-grab theft, so retail officers are trained to observe and report, protect employees and support store lockdown procedures without escalating a situation in a crowded store. Stores here also host celebrity clients and private appointments, which calls for discreet officers who can manage a guest list and work alongside personal security teams. Posts can be spread from Santa Monica to Century City and beyond, so dependable transportation matters.

What McCray Offers Officers

• Weekly pay for every officer.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage and a 401(k) with match for eligible employees.
• Advancement to supervisor and management roles based on performance, qualifications and available positions.
• Roles from entry-level officer posts to Tier III positions for retired law enforcement officers with 20 or more years of sworn service. See the Officer Classification Program.

Before assignment, officers complete McCray’s five-stage screening process and tier-based training, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition.

California Security Guard Registration

California registers security guards through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), part of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Every unarmed officer working in Los Angeles needs a BSIS Security Guard Registration, commonly called a guard card. The main requirements are:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Complete Power to Arrest training before the registration is issued.
• Pass a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI, using Live Scan fingerprinting and the Security Guard Request for Live Scan Service form.
• Submit the registration application to BSIS.
• Complete 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months, followed by 8 hours of continuing training every year.

Officers who work street patrol in the City of Los Angeles must also register with the City and hold a valid state guard card, under LAPD permit requirements for street patrol officers.

Additional Requirements for Armed Officers

Armed guards in California must hold a Security Guard Registration and a BSIS Firearms Permit. Applicants must be at least 21 and be a U.S. citizen or have permanent legal immigration status. They complete the BSIS Course of Firearms Training at a Bureau-approved facility, with a written exam and range qualification, and pass an assessment of judgment, restraint and self-control within six months before applying. Permit holders requalify on the range twice in each twelve-month period. Requirements change, so applicants should confirm current rules with the regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice.

What McCray Looks For

McCray looks for officers who are reliable, use sound judgment and communicate clearly. In Los Angeles that means arriving on time across long commutes, keeping composure when a group enters a store with intent to steal, following the post’s procedures rather than giving chase, and writing clear incident reports. Officers in Beverly Hills are often the first person a client sees, so courteous service matters.

How to Apply

Open positions are listed on the McCray careers portal, hosted by ADP. Not every location has openings at all times. Applicants can check the portal for current openings in the Los Angeles area, select a position and apply online.

The recruiting team reviews each application and contacts qualified candidates. Questions can be sent to hr@mccraygp.com, and more about working at McCray is on the Careers page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do applicants need a guard card before applying?

California requires a BSIS Security Guard Registration to work as a security guard. Applicants who already hold a guard card should include the registration number. Questions can be sent to hr@mccraygp.com.

How long do new officers have to finish the 32 hours of skills training?

Under BSIS rules, the 32 hours of security officer skills training must be completed within the first six months, and 8 hours of continuing training are required every year after that.

Does McCray hire armed officers in Los Angeles?

Armed posts require a BSIS Firearms Permit in addition to the guard card, and are assigned only after a review of each site’s requirements.

Are there openings in Los Angeles right now?

Not every location has openings at all times. Applicants can check the careers portal for current openings in the Los Angeles area.