National security and public order are indispensable elements in building the foundation for inclusive growth, high trust and resilient society, as well as a globally competitive knowledge economy. In recent years, private security groups have been beefed up security in the country especially in urban and metropolitan by implementing additional protocols and measures. This study looked into private security guards as force multipliers, taking in consideration their recognizable size and presence in the country.

To ensure that the private security guards can effectively and efficiently perform their function and serve as force multipliers, PNP-SOSIA is requiring all prospective security guards to undergo a training known as the Pre-Licensing Training Course (PLTC). The study is a descriptive and action research aimed at evaluating the PLTC to determine whether it addresses the current and emerging demands of civil security in terms of its comprehensiveness and efficiency to ensure the sufficiency of knowledge, skills and competencies of security guards. It is also aimed at identifying the gaps and areas for improvement based on the current implementation of PLTC so that security guards can valuably serve as significant force multipliers of the PNP.

To evaluate the current implementation of the PLTC, the researchers conducted the triangulation method through primary and secondary documents review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with direct implementers or security training service providers, security agencies, clients and regulators particularly PNP-SOSIA officers and security guards who have attended the PLTC. The study covered Metro Manila, which has the largest in scope of private security services.

The result of the study showed that the PLTC is indeed essential to start a career in the security industry. Aside from being a requirement to get a license, it also provided a set of skills and practical techniques for them to perform their function, and at the same time serve as force multipliers. However, there are gaps in the actual needs of prospective security guards in terms of skills and competence that they should acquire. The PLTC should also have a tool to assess the guard's attitude and overall performance for them to be able to determine how effective they are in the performance of their duty. Such tool will also serve as guide to improving customer service. Further, interventions on disaster risk management, exposure to new technologies used by establishments, and appropriate response to medical emergencies should be taken up. There is also a need to include extensive training on customer service and basic communication skills. PNP-SOSIA should also consider increasing manpower and crafting a standard evaluation tool for them to monitor the implementation of PLTC effectively.