6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Security Guard

• By Ahmad Hamidi
• Jan 13, 2017

Hiring a private security company for your business or property is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make. After all, you need a reliable security partner to protect your valuable assets and people from theft, vandalism and other crimes. However, there are number of factors to consider before you hire a security guard company. A right security team will monitor; deter crime and protect your place, thereby creating a safe environment around you.

Here are the essential questions you must ask your security provider to ensure that your security is in the right hands.

Are you licensed?

Make sure the security guard company is licensed by the Department of Public Safety. A licensed security provider ensures that the employees are carefully screened and documented during the recruiting process. Additionally, the licensed provider sends finger prints and information to the Private Security Bureau so a criminal background check can be performed on the potential employee.  

Hiring an unlicensed company means that you are risking the security of your workplace and people.

What Kind of Training Your Security Guards Go Through?

The classroom and theoretical training of a security guard is not enough to cope up with real threats. Therefore, make sure you are provided with security guards who are well trained in weapons technology, counter-terrorism, public interaction, risk assessment and public security techniques. It will assure you that they can deal with various incidents that may occur during the course of an event or a regular day.

Do You Monitor Your Guards?

Ask your private security company if they supervise and examine their guards frequently. A good security service company will maintain a clear chain of command with their employees and stay in touch with their guards on duty. Nowadays, many security guard companies have deployed GPS tracking to monitor each guard on duty with an automated feature that updates regularly on a programmed schedule, thereby ensuring the safety of every guard and supervising each guard’s movement and the assigned area on that place.

How Long You Have Been in Business?

Find out how long the security provider has been in the business. An experienced security guard provider has established contacts with local authorities. They are also familiar with the local crime types and plan their security accordingly. Above all, you have a good chance to get experienced manpower from them.

What are the Prices of Your Services?

Always shop around to find the reasonable quote. Compare the prices and see which provider fits in your budget and meets your requirement as well. However, be cautious if you are getting considerably cheaper quote than other companies. It simply means that they are cutting corner. For example, they can send untrained security guards with little or no experience. It may be possible that they don’t have the required insurance or approval. It is usually best to prefer the experience and quality of services over prices.

Do You Provide Armed or Unarmed Guard?

Review your security needs to find out what kind of security you need. Is it armed or unarmed? If you are hiring armed guards, make sure they are well trained in operating firearms and carry a license to avoid liability issues. Remember, armed security guards are expensive as the company has to provide increased liability insurance, and not to mention the expenditure coming on the weapon training. Because of this, hire armed guards only for VIP events, concerts and the situation where you need bodyguards.

So, these are the essential questions you must ask to security guards providing company. And hire the company only when you find them reliable and right for your security needs.