California private patrol operator exam prep

What do you have to help me pass the California PPO test?

The Private Patrol Operator-Managing a California-Based Security Company, 2nd Ed. is a useful book that many use to help them pass the PPO Qualified Manager test. The book is pricey so if you are going to use it as a study guide for the PPO exam, make sure that you have been given permission to sit for the exam before purchasing the book. In addition, our online 40-hour PPO Leadership and Development Course may help you pass.  Included, in the 40-hour course, is a non-downloadable version of our book (The Private Patrol Operator-Managing a California-Based Security Company, 2nd Ed.).

Where can I purchase your PPO study guide/book?

You may purchase using either of the links below. Lulu takes longer than Amazon, but the prices are lower. Consult with each vendor for the ETA.

Lulu Press, Inc.

Amazon

Do you offer discounts to law enforcement, military, etc...?

We do not offer discounts. Unfortunately, half of our clients come from military or law enforcement backgrounds. 

Why is your book so expensive?

My book, The Private Patrol Operator-Managing a California-Based Security Company, has no competition in the retail book market specific to California. With no competition, there is no baseline to base the price on. We also need to consider the time spent researching the topics, time spent interviewing PPO applicants and qualified managers, time spent revising the book, attorney-editor and writing editor fees, publishing fees, and a near 50% market share with my vendors (Amazon and Lulu).

The average student will spend an average of 20-30 hours of researching and reviewing material that is likely going to be on the state PPO test—of course, assuming they know what to study. Factor that time into your hourly wages or salary. Time is money. The time you spent researching (or wondering what will be on the exam) could be time spent with your family, enjoying your retirement, or creating a business plan.

You must also remember that my book isn't designed only to be a study guide—it can also be used as a reference guide or a guide to creating standard operating procedures after you become a PPO. My book is based on best business practices, case law, and specific California codes.

Do you offer, separately, the PDF version of The Private Patrol Operator-Managing a California-Based Security Company, 2nd Ed?

No.  The only way to purchase the PPO PDF is by registering as a student for our 40-hour PPO course.

Are you affiliated with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)?

No and I would never consider working for them. My product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency and my products or service is not being made by an agency of the government (BPC Section 17533.6).

What makes you qualified to write The Private Patrol Operator, 2nd Ed.?

I have 24 years of combined experience involving private security and police work, private security supervision, law enforcement supervision (watch commander and FTO) and experience as a private investigator. I have 6 years' experience as a criminal justice professor for a private college and have been training others to pass the PPO and PI exam for the past 14 years. This experience shows you that I'm able to transfer difficult knowledge and abstract concepts, into easy-to-understand information.

I also have a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Public Administration. My education experience allows me to better analyze and research the subject matter. 

How do you open a security guard company in California?

CALSAGA supported AB1244. We opposed CALSAGA's support for the bill with the argument CALSAGA supports their members who pay the most in membership fees (Allied Universal and Securitas). Allied and Securitas have more to gain since the new bill reduces competition  because less security guards are eligible to apply for the new strict requirements of obtaining a qualified manager license. In addition, the BSIS lied to the Department of Consumer Affairs about implementing the AB 1244 requirements on January 1, 2025 stating on P. 173. The requirements were forced in early 2024:

"AB 1244 (Holden, Chapter 571, Statutes of 2023) requires qualified managers of private investigators and private patrol operators to be licensed as a qualified manager, as specified. The new license requirement will be delayed until January 1, 2025, to provide time

for implementation." 

Refer to P. 173 of the FY 2022/2023 California Department of Consumer Affairs Annual Report to verify this lie. 

So here is the abridged version of opening a security company based on the new AB1244 requirements that were forced in the early months of 2024. You need to find a qualified manager. That qualified manager can be you. The  qualified manager needs to have 4,000 hours of private security or related experience. In addition, that qualified manager must have 2,000 hours of administrative or management experience under a current and licensed California Private Patrol Operator. The qualified manager would take the PPO QM exam. Once he/she passes, they need to be attached to a Private Patrol Operator (PPO). The qualified manager can be the PPO but for large to mid-sized organizations, we generally see the PPO and QM not being the same.

If you have any other questions about the process, I recommend you contact BSIS directly. I do encourage you to visit a specific BSIS webpage that explains the entire process, fees, and directs you to the current application. Click here. You can also email BSIS at PrivateSecurityServices@dca.ca.gov or call them at (800) 952-5210. BSIS is understaffed so please understand and expect long delays. 

The Private Patrol Operator book answers a lot of questions related to the opening of a security guard company and provides tips on how to save time, money, and resources. Now, if the question you are seeking is not on my website and not on the BSIS website, then please feel free to contact me.

How long does it take to get a PPO license?

Times will vary. CA Code of Regulations Section 601.4 actually requires BSIS to publish time frames. BSIS last updated their processing times on June 24, 2024. In 2018, the PPO Application time was 99 days after BSIS receives a deficiency-free application and the FBI clears the fingerprint background check. In June, 2024, the time is pushed to 125 days. Click here for the most current times.

BSIS has been known to give me uninvited phone calls. Maybe because of my sharp criticisms of them or maybe not. If they are reading this, I don't believe their processing times are accurate. Either sloppy or lazy data entry or incompetence. How is it—that I have a 2010 version of 601.4 and the time frames are exactly the same…8 years later?

In the last 12 months, BSIS processing times have been unacceptable for some of my clients (10%). I talked to a client in June of this year and he told me it took BSIS 8 months to get his application processed. According to him, BSIS admitted that they moved his application from the bottom of the pile, all the way to the top. This frustrated client had to talk to a BSIS executive to get his application moving. Another told me it took almost 12 months!  Most of you will not have to wait this long, but if you have to wait longer than the times specified by law in Section 601.4, ask to speak to the Chief of BSIS. Of course, if you have an error on your application, you cannot expect a short wait time.

Can you look over my PPO application?

Before I began charging an application review fee, I would regularly spend 2-4 hours reviewing, editing, letter writing, and providing feedback per application. This time included correspondence over email and over the phone with my client. More than 70% of the applications I reviewed, had some type of deficiency. Had it not been for me finding the deficiency, the 99-day average for processing the application would have been much, much, longer. 

I do not guarantee your application will be approved by BSIS. However, I have been doing application reviews since 2010 and 100 % of the applications I have reviewed, corrected, and my client accepted all of my advice and instructions, end up being approved by BSIS.

My fee is $500.00 for the application review fee. Many will accept this service when you consider they have high-paying clients to service as soon as their PPO license is approved.

Do I need to buy your book to pass the Private Patrol Operator Exam?

No, you don't. BSIS suggests you read their Private Patrol Operator Examination Outline from their website. The topics are broad, so in a way, you have to guess or use your best judgment on what you think is on the exam. For example, on Page 5 of the Outline, BSIS suggests you have "Knowledge of business practices as related to security services." As you can see, this suggestion doesn't help most candidates understand what they will be tested on since the suggestion is so broad. Also, if approved to take the exam, BSIS will likely send you a 358-page book containing hundreds of sections of the Business and Professions Code and Code of Regulations. Again, you have to use your best judgment on what specific topic you think will be on the exam.

Feel free to visit BSIS' website to verify what I am discussing here (http://www.bsis.ca.gov/exams/index.shtml)

Is your book current for the 2024-2025 PPO Exam?

I believe it is and so does many clients/students who post reviews. BSIS changes the exam every 2-3 years. It appears that during each revision, they change the facts, but they rarely change the rule of law and industry standards. In the past, I've published older study material (from 2015) and still, people pass at a rate higher than 85%.

Is it true there are 5 versions of the state PPO Exam?

Yes, however, in each version of the PPO exam, BSIS has to stick with the Examination Outline (that document is public record). They change the facts or wording in each test, but rarely do they change the rule of law and industry standards.

Will the content in your book be on the PPO exam?

I can't say yes or no because I have no legal access to the BSIS exam materials. No one does and if someone claims to have them, I would begin to ask that person or business more questions. From the words of BSIS (http://www.bsis.ca.gov/exams/index.shtml), "No publishers or training sponsors have legal access to BSIS’s examination materials. We make every effort to ensure that the contents of our examinations remain confidential and that the questions are changed frequently."

Ultimately, I base my book on the Private Patrol Operator Examination Outline and suggestions from others. I must be doing something right. In the past 7 years, over 89% of my students/clients pass the PPO exam with my material. Those who fail usually have less of a command of the English language or no business experience.

Do you offer a pass guarantee or refund for your book?

No I don't. I have no idea of your qualifications and test-taking abilities. All sales are through Amazon or Lulu and I have no ability to process a refund.  Look, if you fail the exam, send me an email at ssundahl@crimebullet.com and a list of specific content that my book did not have (that you wish it had). The more specific, the better. I rarely let my loyal clients, readers, or colleagues down. Read the reviews. Leave no man (or woman) behind is my motto.

Does your book have any PPO practice questions?

Yes it does! 100 of them.

How many of your 100 questions are on the state exam?

None. Again, no one has legal access to the state exam. My questions are based out of the Examination Outline and suggestions from others. They are not directly from the state exam. Again, let me stress that over 89% of my clients/students pass the PPO exam with my material. Those who fail usually have less of a command of the English language or no business experience.

What information does your book have?

I cover the Business & Professions Code, Contracts, Discipline Procedures, Emergency Plans, Invoicing, Labor Code, Management Principles, Payroll Rules, Parking Enforcement, Penal Code, Pre-employment Screening, Personnel Issues, Proposals, Record Keeping, Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure, Supervision Techniques, Vehicle Code, and much, much more!

When can I call you, meet you in person, Zoom, or FaceTime?

Due to long delays from BSIS, each week I am channeled dozens of questions from BSIS consumers. Unfortunately, I am unable to answer these questions due to my  workload. Also, I am not compensated by BSIS for my time. Nearly all questions are answered through my books, Google searches, and my YouTube channel. The BSIS website is still a official and excellent source of information about the processes, fees, and procedures. You can email BSIS at PrivateSecurityServices@dca.ca.gov or call them at (800) 952-5210. BSIS is understaffed so please understand and expect long delays. 

The best way of getting an answer from me is by posting a comment in the more than 1,000 video I have created on YouTube. Just search for your question in the search bar and most of my videos that will answer your question will appear. In the event you ask a question that is not in any of my videos (rarely the case), I will call you, email, or reply in the comments, or create a new YouTube video. 

For those who are persistent on getting answers, I cannot provide legal or professional advice but I can make time for you under a fee schedule. I charge $16.67 a minute (non-refundable) with a $1,000 deposit.