January 14, 2004—The U.S. Air Force Security Forces Directorate and ASIS International (ASIS) announced a professional affiliation that, beginning in fiscal year 2004, will eventually become “perpetual,” says Brig. Gen. Jim Shamess, Director of Security Forces. The reason for the alliance is the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designationthe security professions highest recognition of its practitioners. Over time, says Shamess, more than 1,000 officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and civilians (GS-9 and above) will have the opportunity to earn the CPP.
The Air Force, seeking to enhance the professional development of its security forces people, decided upon the CPP certification because it:
- Provides senior commanders people with an assured level of expertise in the security profession from the top down
- Encourages more innovation in security practices
- Will round out senior-level professional development
- Will better qualify security leaders for top posts
- Will make the AF Security Forces development compatible with industry counterparts
A board comprised of senior members of Security Forces leadership, a Force Development Team, will be responsible for managing the Air Forces CPP program, and for determining who should apply and when the best time is, developmentally, for a person to consider trying to earn the designation.
ASIS has been administering the CPP program for 27 years. Those who hold it have demonstrated knowledge in the areas of security solutions and best business practices through an intensive qualification and testing program. The CPP examination is a broad-based test in seven domains identified as the major areas involved in security management: security management, investigations, legal aspects, personnel security, physical security, protection of sensitive information, and emergency management.
For more information, contact ASIS.
