Factors to Consider When Hiring Security Guards

When looking for a trustworthy security guard service, business owners and executives are often presented with numerous options. There are so many security guard companies accepting new clients that you would think there’s a professional security guard company on every corner, but this isn’t the case.

There are numerous security guard referral companies, fly-by-night firms, and other firms that a good businessman or woman may be wise to avoid. But how do you know which security agencies are worth hiring? How do you know if the security guard company you’re considering is a non-experienced start-up or a seasoned agency with professional guards? Are the security guards high-school graduates or former police and military? Depending on the level of security needed, these are important questions.

As an experienced security & patrol agency, we’re in the best position to highlight some of the main factors to consider when contracting a security guard agency.

Vigorous Personnel Screening

Know Your Security Guards!

It’s important to get a good idea of the capacity of security guards that make up the security agency and their level of experience. Securing information about their hiring process is another great way to determine if the agency is gauging the problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills of their security guards. A criminal background check is obvious, but do they check employment references and conduct drug screening on their security guards? With this information, you can determine the quality of the security guards responsible for providing your security services.

Training Practices

How Are The Security Guards Trained?

At Enforce Security Services, Inc., we believe that any guard charged with securing the assets of our clients should be fully trained and certified before appearing on our clients’ property. The security officer should understand the basics of security, proper firearm protocol should they be armed, and any industry-specific information relating to their post.

A professional security guard should also be subject to periodic refresher training, emergency preparedness training, CPR, and terrorist response training. In an era in which “active shooters” focus on target-rich environments with defense victims, armed security guards should remain students of prudent firearm usage and safety.

Experience & Background

What The Experience & Background of Agents & The Agency?

Unarmed security guards can come right out of high school, while armed guards may have more extensive training. Some armed guards have high levels of dignitary protection training, while others only need to pass a firearms course. Some armed guards may have military or police training, while others might have attended a specific tactical guard training school. It’s important to know the level of the guards you’re hiring and if they’re the right fit for your security needs or that of your business interests.

Commitment to Customer Service

Are they good with people?

Security guards are often the first person a customer or employee will encounter upon entering your place of business. Therefore, there are one of the main faces of your business. For this reason, professional security guards should have an understanding of what makes for excellent customer service, and their actions should match this understanding. Courtesy, a smile, and a helpful hand can go a long way to leaving a positive impression on your customers and clients, and the best security guards understand this.

Commitment to Client Service

Do they respect their clients?

At Enforce Security Services, Inc., we believe that client services goes hand in hand with customer service. To us, client service means responsive communication, accurate time logs, a professional appearance, and a focus on duty. If you’re hiring a security guard or a team of security officers for your security needs, it’s best to make sure they respect and treasure their clients.

An inquiring business can usually find out about a security agency’s client service record by reading their reviews. We recommend seeking out at least two review platforms to see if one, there are any reviews, and two, if there are any positive reviews from their clients.

Reputation & Client Success

Does the security agency have a good track record?

Again, reviews and testimonials are one the best ways to gauge the reputation of the security guard agency and to see if their clients are happy. Another excellent way to check out a security agency’s reputation is to ask them directly for client references. Are they listed on the BBB, Google Business, or Yelp? If so, gauging their reputation shouldn’t be too challenging. If they’re not listed on any contemporary rating platforms, they’re either a brand-new agency or a fly-by-night security firm.

Industry Specialization

Is industry specialization or a specific skillset required?

Some industries require security personnel with specific training and specific skill sets. Some security professionals serve as unarmed but uniformed guards, others are trained in retail theft prevention, while others only provide security services for private, high-net-worth individuals. Other industries, such as banking, the petrochemical industry, and the judicial sector, might have different training & background requirements.

For example, some security guard agencies don’t provide special event or crowd control coverage, while others specialize in the field. Some security agencies provide firewatch protection, while others do not. Some agencies provide armed guards while others don’t. If you’re ready to partner with a security guard agency, it may be more efficient to consider firms that specialize in your area of need.

Costs & Fees

How much is security service and is it worth it?

As the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” This saying also applies to security contractors, but there are other costs to consider. Industry-specific training, specialized equipment, number of personnel, areas of service, vehicle patrols, video monitoring, and other factors can contribute to the costs and fees associated with hiring security guards. When hiring a security guard agency, ask about their fees, hidden fees, and other costs.

Regulated & Insured

Do they follow the law and protect themselves and their clients?

In Texas, the Department of Public Safety regulates the private security industry. There are various licenses, schedules, and training requirements to operate a security agency or a security school in the state of Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety issues and regulates the following company and school license types:

Company Licenses

• Class A – Private Investigation Company License
• Class B – Security Contractor Company License includes one or more of the following: Alarm, Armored Car, Courier, Electronic Access, Guard, and Locksmith
• Class C – Private Investigation and Security Contractor Company License

School Licenses

• Class F – Level III and/or Level IV Training School License
• Class O – Alarm Level I Training School License
• Class Y – Continuing Education (CE) School License

The Texas Department of Public Safety issues and regulates the following individual licenses:

• Alarm Installer
• Alarm Level I Instructor
• Alarm System Monitor
• Commissioned Security Officer
• Continuing Education Instructor (CE)
• Electronic Access Control Device Installer
• Level III Classroom Instructor
• Level III Combine (Firearm/Classroom Instructor)
• Level III Firearm Instructor
• Level IV Personal Protection Instructor
• Locksmith
• Non-Commissioned Security Officer
• Owner
• Personal Protection Officer
• Private Investigator

* Please note that individuals must be licensed and affiliated with a company or entity licensed by the Department. The only exceptions to this rule are Level III and IV Instructors.

If you’re ready to partner with a security agency, make sure they’re legit and verify the status of their license to administer security in the state of Texas.

Need Professional Security Guard Services?

Call on Enforce Security Services, Inc. Today!

If you’re looking for a professional security agency in Texas, contact Enforce Security Services, Inc. today! We provide armed and unarmed security officers, long and short-term contracts, and an excellent experience to our clients. We’re a licensed & insured Texas security agency and take pride in our profession. We provide security guard & patrol services in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth. If you have any questions, contact our management team today at 832-709-0333.