Impartial two-star review as I never got a response from the company. Called last week as the CA BSIS changed their requirement for baton permits and now you need training every two years. Trying to find a security school that offers these classes more than once a month is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, so Google is it to find a trainer. These guys, like Covered 6, cater to GI Bill folks and EP programs that run around $10,000 so I called them to see if they offer stand alone baton training. Called on 4/8/24 at 10:29am, got John Gill's voicemail, left a message. As of this post on 4/14/24 at 5:48pm, I have yet to receive a callback. Appears that they only cater to those that want to enroll in one of their multi-week courses and looking to pursue a career in EP so if you're just a security guard, this is a no-go. read more

I have just finished the close protection course at Pacific West Academy and I want to thank the instructors for their help. The range days and the firearms course were quite strenuous but essential to the development of skills needed in an executive protection career. This school is indeed the best and I am ready to face any challenge in the area of close protection. I would recommend Pacific West Academy for anyone who wants to get their bodyguard certification. read more

Pacific West Academy's EP training is great. The instructors are excellent and they always do their best to explain the course so that everybody could understand it. I am now working in the EP industry and I'm very happy with my current job and choice to join the course. read more

Pacific West Academy isn't just a school--it's a launchpad. The training was legit, from firearms to close protection and surveillance. I appreciated how they didn't sugarcoat anything. It's demanding, but that's what makes it worthwhile. Matt and other instructors kept the standards high and pushed us to train like professionals. They teach you to be disciplined and think like a protector. I'm now working full-time in the EP world thanks to what I learned here. read more

I took part in one of Pacific West Academy's executive protection classes and I have mostly good things to say (nothing's perfect right?) My favorite part of the course was the live fire and force-on-force training, HVOC, and the simulator. The team is very professional and experienced, and the fighting doctrine is based on the Shin Beit individual war doctrine. The school helps with free housing throughout the course and helps find employment, many companies come to the school to talk to you throughout the course. read more

Great school, with great classes, definitely recommend it. Thank you Yelp for helping me find Pacific West Academy. read more

I really enjoyed the training, thank you, guys. I learned tons about the EP industry, from how to work as an agent, to the main players in the industry. read more

Pacific West Academy's team goes above and beyond to make the CESS the best in the industry in all aspects. The course is tailored in a way that makes all aspects of EP fall into place perfectly. The free housing and the GI Bill made this dream course possible for me, and after graduating was able to get a good job in the executive protection industry. read more

The UTM simulation training is a very powerful, very realistic, and unique part of the EP training, it really helps you understand how you are going to react if something actually happens. The instructors take the time to explain everything properly and explain the psychology of being in these types of situations, priceless information. read more

I have just completed the executive protection certificate program at Pacific West Academy and I am simply speechless on how great the training was. The instructors were very knowledgeable and the level of teaching was high. The range days and the firearms course were quite tough but essential to acquire the skills needed for a close protection job. Without a doubt, Pacific West Academy is the best bodyguard school for anyone who wants to advance their career in executive protection. read more

I'd like to thank PWA for the great training, which was very professional and detailed, a lot of action, a lot of fun, and truly opened my mind when it comes to CQB tactics. This course is worth the 39 days I invested in it. read more

I took a seven-day shooting course at PWA, it was pretty hard to get a spot as they are pretty packed, but it was worth the wait. The training level exceeded any expectations I had, I joined a team of veterans going through a longer course, and the students were all high-quality students. PWA is a serious institute, definitely, a place to come and learn some important shooting tactics. read more

This school provides great training for people who are looking to become executive protection agents, or bodyguards in slang. Having one of their courses on your resume will definitely help you get better security work, but also they were able to provide me with a lot of opportunities as well. I felt the course was professional, I really liked Benji and Matt, the main instructors, it is very important to everyone in the school to make sure the students are happy. read more

I've taken NRA courses and another EP course in the past, but Pacific West's bodyguard training was the best course I've taken so far. I was very impressed with the quality of the instructors and training. Benji, Mat, Don, and all the contractors are very professional. I think that when it comes to executive protection they're the best out there, giving them a shoutout. read more

I was referred by a friend who went through the CESS course, I'm happy he recommended the course for me, the course really helped me advance in my security career, apparently, this school has a really good name to it and is well known across the industry. read more

PWA is a very professional academy, starting from their recruiters who provide a meticulous answer, through the enrollment and the actual course, every single stage includes top-notch professionals. They have a unique approach to executive protection and provide meticulous explanations. They're open to any questions or ideas of other professionals who are going through the course and understand that there are many different approaches to every situation. read more

Not a bad school for starter, but not so great for a 6 months GI bill. Training is good itself something to start up for your resume, but if you have experience and already build your resume just skip this and go get the certifications instead. read more

PWA is a fantastic school for EP. Their 39-day CESS course was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This unique training prepares you for employment in the executive protection sector; they assist with all certifications and provide you with all the necessary guidance. I'm so happy that Pacific West Academy offers EP training. read more

I wanted to thank the team at Pacific West Academy for an amazing time and a great course. This course provides a very comfortable environment for people joining outside of Los Angeles, if you're a veteran you can use your GI Bill to cover costs (free housing is in an addition and doesn't come out of the GI Bill benefits). The course curriculum was outstanding and very professional, and the in-house team and contractors were all very professional as well. Definitely recommend checking them out. read more

This is the premier Executive Protection school in the nation and was ranked so by EP Wired magazine. It is the only 40 day comprehensive EP school that allows veterans to use their GI bill to attend. Student housing is available for all students that need it and we are located in the heart of the valley. Come on out and train with us, get your certain, and get hired into a high paying armed security job now! read more

Best part was shooting with Thomer Tactical shooting drills in a shooting house we helped build Building the shooting house made me aware of the angles taking in consideration there were around other 10 students Training with plastic rounds made me realize that in a gun figth we all run the risk to get hit But there some spots you want avoid depending on the angles and tactical skills you have or develop Pain brings That extreme awareness not only using your eyes and ears but exercising that gut feeling recognizing where your target is and it's movement patterns It was so much fun TCCC scenarios were extreme and fun Evoc was cool we had few manouvers missing Baton was cool Combatives was great Holland Benji Mike and George are amazing instructors I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ACADEMY read more

I had to go to this location for a background check/fingerprinting and live scan. It was painless and simple and the staff were helpful and friendly. The process took about 20 minutes. The cost was comparative to other places offering the same service. Getting these types of "errands" out of the way can be annoying and I was honestly surprised at the level of customer service and friendliness these folks put out. As I drove away smiling I realized what a huge difference it makes to consumers to be met with such great staffers. I don't know how many people I will ever need to refer for background checks but if I ever do I know where I'll be sending them! read more

ASC Training Academy offers the most updated security training including executive protection and firearms courses. The instructors come with extensive experience both in the military and civilian world. read more

I did not even make it through the interview process and I already have the worst impression of this training facility. Not only was my interview a 30 minute interrogation, but it's like the interviewer completely forgot that I'm about to drop $20,000 on this training. It is me you were trying to impress; not the other way around. He even asked me highly inappropriate questions concerning Dr./patient confidentiality, and then criticized me for not wanting to answer in full. When I expressed my concerns about the integrity of the school and their policy, The whole tune of the interview changed. At that point I had already made up my mind. This school does not have the students best interest in mind. It is strictly about financial gain. If you are OK with that then this may be the school for you, however I want better for myself. I want a school that's going to set me up for success and give me the tools I need to thrive in the EP world. This is NOT the program for me. read more

We are working with Advanced Security Concepts for many years; they are trained and hire only the best. As an alarm company we are committed to communicate only with a company who cares about customer and hiss needs, before they company needs. Advanced Security Concepts are reliable and quality always on time and do and perform their duties in the best way possible. Their attitude is always professional, direct, and personal read more