Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI)

Candidates successfully completing the Final Exam will receive certification from the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)

Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI)

Candidates successfully completing the Final Exam will receive certification from the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)

What is the CPOI program?

Certified Protection Officer Instructors are individuals who teach the Certified Protection Officer (CPO) Program or a portion thereof. CPOI's are Certified Protection Officers who have made a significant professional commitment toward advancing themselves as teachers, researchers, mentors  and leaders.

They are instructors, professors, consultants and supervisors. Certified Protection Officer Instructors teach various topics relating to security and asset protection. They advance the objectives of the IFPO within their respective areas of employment.

CPOI Benefits

Training: CPOIs can promote their services as IFPO-endorsed instructors, offering both internal and external training, including in-person courses for IFPO certifications.

Supplementation: CPOIs can get certification packages with study manuals, exams, and IFPO certificates affordably, empowering them to run their training programs with official IFPO content.

Recognition: Courses led by certified CPOI instructors, organized by representative organizations, are officially endorsed by IFPO and listed on our calendar.

Transition: This assessment aids experienced police and military instructors in transitioning to private security roles, expanding their professional opportunities in this evolving field.

The CPOI program it is designed for certified professionals in the field of protection who have made a significant commitment to advancing into roles as teachers, instructors, professors, consultants, researchers, supervisors, mentors, and leaders.

To be a CPOI security instructor, you need at least 5 years of experience as an instructor, which can include work in law enforcement or in higher education security programs. If you lack prior experience, you must pass IFPO’s trainer-of-trainers course. Additionally, you require 1 year of full-time experience in comprehensive security, a valid CPO certification, a post-secondary degree, and active membership with IFPO. You must also pass the theoretical exam and soft skills assessment, which can be prepared for through self-study or IFPO’s Preparation Course. These requirements ensure the quality of CPOI instructors.

If you are interested in becoming a Certified Protection Officer Instructor, click here to view the IFPO Enrollment Application.

Candidates for the designation must meet the following qualifications:

Current designation as a Certified Protection Officer (CPO).

Membership in the International Foundation for Protection Officers.

One year full time security experience (part-time requires two years). The experience listed by the candidate must indicate they were completely or primarily responsible for the protection of assets (Security, Crime Prevention or Loss Prevention). Law enforcement or investigative experience in and of itself will not suffice to fulfill this requirement. Candidate should specify job titles and responsibilities. All relevant experience should be listed on the application.

Post-secondary education at some level must be documented. This can be college courses or other substantial instruction in any subject given by a corporate, military, governmental or educational organization covering forty (40) or more hours. Courses in communications, supervision, leadership, etc. are all examples of post-secondary education.

Five years teaching experience or equivalent.

Don't have Teaching Experience?

For candidates who do not have previous teaching/instructor experience, IFPO offers a Train-the-Security-Trainer course. This live, virtual instruction will be conducted with Dr. Glen Kitteringham, CPP. This course focuses on the tactics and strategies to successfully train and mentor security personnel to increase the security effectiveness.

CPOI Purchase Options