Though representing opposite ends of the security career spectrum—from the CSO Center's seasoned executives to the NextGen Community's Student Affairs Subcommittee—ASIS members are united by their unwavering passion for the profession. We recently bridged this experience gap by bringing together a senior security leader and a promising student professional for an illuminating conversation that revealed both their unique perspectives and the powerful common ground they share in their dedication to security excellence.
Darcy Leutzinger holds a PhD in emergency and protective services and has over 35 years of law enforcement and private security expertise. He served in various positions at the Warren, Michigan police department, including executive lieutenant of the Special Investigations/Narcotics Enforcement Unit. During his tenure with the Warren PD, Leutzinger served on the SWAT team for 23 years before retiring at the rank of commander. He is responsible for developing an executive protection team, investigation team, and training program for multiple Fortune 500 conglomerates. While currently working as security director for one of the largest security teams in the United States at United Wholesale Mortgage, Leutzinger also serves as the program director for the Master of Emergency Management Science Program at University of the Pacific.
Edwin Torres has been working in the private security industry since 2016, gaining experience in both armed and unarmed roles. He earned his associate’s degree in administration of justice from Norco College and is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in career & technical education (CTE) at California State University, San Bernardino. His studies combine his passion for security and instruction. After graduating, Torres hopes to transition into a training role within a security organization and one day start his own training business. Torres is active in the security community in California and closely follows updates to state regulations and industry standards.
DL: Why do you want to enter the security industry?
ET: The security industry is a place where I have spent the last several years working at the guard level. Around 2020, I felt confident in my decision that this is the industry I want to continue to be in. As to “why security?” First, I am a true believer in the work that we do, from the lowest levels to the highest. I truly believe that what we do improves the quality of life for our clients and society as a whole. In addition to this, the duties we are tasked with in the security industry inspire and motivate me in ways that other industries simply do not. I want to discover new and innovative ways to protect life, property, information, and reputation. I am less interested in finding new and innovative ways to do other things like sell products or construct buildings.
ET: What value do you see in higher education for security instructors?
DL: Professional security is based on leadership and training. Furthering your education is key to professional development. Whether it is getting a degree or certification, security is constantly evolving with technological advances and expectations. The best security leaders have a great mix of experience and education. Higher education opens doors for CSO positions in large companies. Competition for these positions is intense and separating yourself from the competition is key. Getting a higher education degree, such as a master’s or PhD, demonstrates the ability to learn at the highest level. Networking with other educated professionals will open doors for national and international positions.
DL: What are you hoping to do in the security industry?
ET: My greatest contribution to this industry will come through excellence in education and training. Having experienced the deep fulfillment of developing new security professionals through on-site mentorship, I aspire to make this my primary focus. My mission is to elevate the next generation of security practitioners through strategic, impactful learning experiences that enhance both their capabilities and the safety of their clients. I envision creating industry-defining courses and resources that advance professional standards across organizations. Additionally, I'm committed to engaging with regulatory frameworks to help shape security legislation that serves our evolving industry needs and public safety objectives.
ET: What are some undertrained soft skills in security and security instruction?
DL: The most important soft skill is learning to de-escalate. Security officers deal with people. People get upset, especially when told what to do. This skill set is taught but also needs to be practiced. Calming a person down with empathetic words, body language and tone can avoid a person getting violent or unreasonable. There are many great training courses that teach this skill that can be practiced not only on the job, but in your personal life.
DL: Can you and will you want to be challenged? Can you give an exampleof a time when you faced a challenge?
ET: My goal is not to simply repeat the way training has been done in the past. The only way we can innovate and come up with new approaches is by being challenged. Thankfully, there is no shortage of challenges in the security industry. One challenge I have faced while providing on-the-job training is figuring out how to train a new guard to succeed when they seem unmotivated or are not an ideal fit for the position. Since I am not in a position to hire the guards I train, this is sometimes a problem I encounter. The way I address this challenge is by giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, believing in their capacity to change, and respecting the other person enough to be patient and offer the quality of training and direction that I would want to receive if I were in their shoes. I also try to recognize that certain negative perceptions about a new hire may simply be due to my own biases and opinions about what I think a security guard at my site is “supposed” to look or act like. By taking this approach, I have seen guards I was initially hesitant about transform into excellent, professional coworkers.
ET: What technology do you believe is underutilized in security training?
DL: Every year, new technology emerges to help make the security officer’s job easier—cameras, access control, facial recognition, license plate readers, and more. Technology is great, but if it is not easily understood, or usable, it won’t work. Technology will be underutilized if it isn’t used properly. Putting all systems on one plane of glass, with simple functions, will increase the likelihood of positive results. Security teams fail to check for gaps in their systems for fear of failure or embarrassment. Red cell testing is key to exposing your technological weaknesses in the operations of the systems. Once identified, they can be quickly fixed and trained out.
DL: Do you find that you have a strong support system (i.e., family and friends) as you advance in the security industry?
ET: Yes, I’m fortunate to have a strong and supportive network. My sister, Diana, has been a huge influence on my career over the last few years. She was one of my biggest motivators to return to college, which I consider to be an important career step. We’re both studying education, and we often share ideas about education and our experiences attending college. During my education, I have been able to meet professors, advisors, and other students who understand what I am trying to do and who support my career growth. Outside of school, I have a group of friends in my local firearms community that I feel supported by. Although they are not in the security industry, they are serious about maintaining a defensive mindset, and they constantly push me to train and improve my hard skills.
