School Security Officer Database (VASSOD)

In 2001, the General Assembly authorized the Virginia Crime Commission to study School Security Officer (SSO) programs throughout Virginia. This resulted in legislation that requires all SSOs to be certified through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) SSO Certification Program(§ 9.1-102.44). SSO training requirements and other regulations can be found in Regulation 6 VAC 20-240.

New SSOs are required to successfully complete a 32-hour certification course within 60-days of their hiring date. To date, over 1000 Virginia SSOs have completed this course. The SSO certification program is designed to support and enhance the valuable work being done by the more than 100 SSOs throughout Virginia. Whereas, the initial 32-hour certification course provides a minimum training standard, SSOs are encouraged to supplement this core curriculum by taking other trainings offered by DCJS, Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS). Please visit our Training and Events page to view the current listing of these training opportunities.

To remain certified, SSOs must complete 16 hours of in-service training during each 2-year period following their initial certification. Partial In-service Credit (PIC) may be obtained through the completion of DCJS-sponsored training courses or through local school division or private sector safety/security training classes. To receive in-service credit for non-DCJS-sponsored training, SSOs must submit a “SSO Partial In-Service Credit” or “PIC” form to DCJS and have it approved prior to the training. Additionally, 16 hours of in-service credit is offered to any SSO who attends a requisite number of sessions at the annual Virginia School and Campus Safety Forum.

SSO Training Curriculum

To download the current School Security Officer Curriculum, click on the links below: School Security Officer (SSO) Training Curriculum

• School Security Officer Module 1 Curriculum
• School Security Officer Module 2 Curriculum
• School Security Officer Module 3 Curriculum

Other Documents

• September 2007 Memorandum: School Security Program Administrative Requirements
  
  
• Application for Certification as an SSO – SSOPOC submits this form to DCJS when new SSOs have met their initial training requirements and are seeking certification (.pdf or .doc, 1 page)
  
  
• Policy Guidelines for Issuance Of Partial In-Service Credit - describes the different ways certified SSOs may earn in-service training credit (.pdf or .doc, 3 pages)
  
  
• SSO Partial In-Service Credit Course Approval (aka “PIC”) Form – used by school division contact persons, training instructors and SSOs to inform VCSS of an SSO’s successful completion of in-service training class (.pdf or .doc, 1 page)
  
  
• Application for Re-Certification as a SSO – used by SSOCPs to notify DCJS when one of their school division’s SSOs wishes to be re-certified (.pdf or .doc, 1 page)
  
  
• Permission for Extension: School Security Officer Training Certification – SSOCPs submit this form to notify VCSS when one of their school division’s SSOs is unable to meet a required certification or recertification training deadline (.pdf or .doc, 1 page)
  
  
• School Security Officer Training Class Request Form – used by DCJS-trained SSO Instructors when applying to teach a SSO training class (.pdf or .doc, 1 page)
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I apply for a position as a School Security Officer?
   
   DCJS does not employ School Security Officers. Hiring of school security personnel is done at the school division level. Interested applicants should contact their local public school administration office. The SSO certification course is offered exclusively to those employed in a safety/security capacity within Virginia’s public schools.
   
   
2. How do I become a School Security Officer Trainer for DCJS?
   
   To serve as a SSO trainer, one must attend a SSO Instructor course. This course is only offered to Virginia Public School SSOs who have been recommended for such duty by their school division administrator.
   
   
3. How do I know when my certification expires?
   
   Certification dates are based on the SSOs completion date of the mandatory School Security Officer certification training. Certifications remain in effect for a period of two years from that date.
   
   

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact Donna Michaelis. She may be reached at 804.371.6506.

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
1100 Bank Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.786.4000