NCMEC TRAINING: PROACTIVE CHILD SAFETY
At Sunstates Security, LLC, our commitment to safety extends beyond traditional guarding. We understand the critical role our officers play in protecting the community, which is why all Sunstates Security employees must complete the NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) training within 21 days of their onboarding. This isn’t just a requirement; it’s a vital tool in equipping our team to make a profound difference.
Program Details
Just over 10 years ago, Sunstates Security became the first security provider to partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Our Executive Leadership recognized the value of this powerful training for our entire team, especially as our presence in public spaces continued to grow. Whether working at job sites open to the public, located near public areas, or simply going about their daily lives, our officers may encounter situations where awareness and quick action can make a difference. The guiding belief was clear: If this training could help save even one child, the investment would be more than worth it.
The comprehensive 45-minute course, developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, provides essential knowledge on how to identify situations that indicate exploited children and how to prevent circumstances that could result in a child going missing. The training is interactive and engaging, utilizing a mix of videos, real-life case studies, clear definitions, and practical reminders to keep team members alert and attentive.
Since its rollout, our message has remained consistent: Train every employee. Early on, we faced challenges with our original goal of having all staff complete the training within 21 days of their start date. This required tracking progress closely and following up with those who had not yet made the time. To improve compliance, we later incorporated the program into our onboarding process, requiring completion before any site-specific training could begin. This change has resulted in an average completion rate of 97 percent, with the remaining 3 percent representing new hires who have not yet reached their site assignments.
Results
The real-world impact of this training was powerfully demonstrated at Sunstates’ recent Annual Leadership Conference, where Site Supervisor Anita Graves of the Savannah region was recognized and awarded for her heroic actions in saving a child. During a routine patrol, Supervisor Graves observed a small, 4-year-old child walking alone on a busy main road in downtown Savannah, mere seconds away from entering a dangerous intersection. Displaying exceptional presence of mind and quick thinking, Supervisor Graves swiftly turned her vehicle around, tactically positioning it to protect the child from heavy traffic. She then calmly approached and secured the child.
After the child, who advised she had left home without her parents’ knowledge to look for candy, was safely seated in the patrol vehicle, Supervisor Graves immediately contacted law enforcement and began efforts to locate the child’s parents. Thanks to her attentiveness and quick action, law enforcement and the child’s mother soon arrived, and the child was safely reunited without incident. This quick response not only averted a potential tragedy but also bolstered community relations and showcased the critical preparedness of our team.
Supervisor Graves’ intervention underscores the vital importance of the NCMEC training and the vigilance of our officers. It highlights Sunstates Security’s proactive approach to community safety, reinforcing our role in protecting children and supporting families. Since implementing this program, we have had at least four documented instances where our training directly contributed to saving a child in need.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s impactful work, assisting with more than 29,568 reports of missing children in 2024 and contributing to the recovery of more than 450,000 cases over the past 40 years, further emphasizes why this training is indispensable for our national team of 7,000-plus.