You are currently viewing Licensed Security Guards: Hiring a Licensed Security Guard
Guard of the Latino building in Bogotá Colombia between 20 and 29 years old, looks at the camera in a portrait while wearing his uniform and smiles in times of COVID 19 while standing on the stairs of the building

Wherever you go, there’s bound to be some sort of safety concern–whether it’s at the mall, on the bus, or at your office. The solution? Licensed security guards. These individuals have undergone extensive training and background checks to ensure that they can effectively protect their clients and the public in general. Hiring a security guard can help increase the safety of your home and business, as well as protect your family, friends, and other people in your neighborhood. It’s important to know how to choose the right security guard service, however, and there are many factors to consider before you make your final decision. If you’re looking to hire a licensed security guard in your area, here are some important questions to ask before you hire anyone.

What is meant by a Licensed Security Guard?

A Licensed Security Guard is a security officer who has acquired a license to do security work. For example, a school district may hire a person to supervise activities of students during their extracurricular or co-curricular activities like a school dance and require that person to be licensed by his state law enforcement agency. A Private Investigator, on the other hand, will work as an independent contractor, collecting evidence and providing investigation services but cannot make arrests without assistance from law enforcement agencies. While both of these occupations can involve working with people in potentially dangerous situations, it’s important for you as a consumer of their services to know what licenses they hold so you know what level of authority they have if you need assistance during an emergency.

Is it better to use an agency or hire your guards?

Another option to consider if you’re looking for security guards is hiring your own. Using an agency may be more expensive, but they’ll do all of your background checks and make sure that any security guard hired is fully licensed. Alternatively, if you have a business and are planning on having multiple guards on-site at any given time, it may be easier to hire your officers directly. Agencies will often charge extra for officers who speak other languages or have specialized training such as CPR training or first aid skills. If you’re planning on hiring one guard at a time with varying duties, then using an agency could work out better in terms of cost.

What should you expect from your security agency?

If you’re planning to hire licensed security guards, you probably have questions. Here are answers to 5 common ones:

  • What should I expect from my security agency?
  • What kind of uniform and equipment will be provided?
  • Are your staff armed? Will they carry firearms or other weapons?
  • What type of training do your officers receive?
  • Will there be any gaps in coverage if our agency needs to send additional personnel due to an event or incident in our area?
  • How do I know that my employees and property are safe with your officers on duty?
  • What can I expect from you?

As an employer, you deserve complete confidence that all your needs will be handled.

How much does hiring a licensed security guard cost?

Although there is no fixed cost to hiring a licensed security guard, it’s worth noting that when you hire an unarmed guard, you’ll generally pay more than if you hire an armed one. This is because every state requires that armed guards be licensed and bonded by their respective State Department of Public Safety (or equivalent). To get licensed, they have to undergo background checks. To get bonded, they have to post a large monetary bond with the state. The benefit of the rehiring armed guards—even if your event will only use them in a non-security capacity—is peace of mind: should anything happen during your event that could be traced back to your hired security staff, these bonds ensure that aggrieved parties will have easy access to financial compensation.

Who is going to be the most reliable when I’m hiring?

You want to know that you’re going to be getting someone who’s professional, courteous, friendly, and above all…dependable. Do you research each company’s website to learn about their background, security training, and insurance? Most companies will provide some sort of assurance that they stand behind their employees with proper training and experience; it may not be something that they advertise though so do your homework. Ask them questions like

  • How long have you been in business?
  • What kind of people has worked for you?
  • Have any complaints been filed against your company?

You might be surprised at what comes up when you start looking into local security guard companies!

How will I keep my costs down?

Like with any project, before you embark on hiring a licensed security guard for your home or business, think about ways to save money. For example, in some cases, it might make more sense to hire an off-duty police officer instead of an independent security guard; in other situations, opting for neither could be ideal. Make sure you have thought through all of your options and have decided on what is best for your particular situation before proceeding with hiring. It could save you hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars over time.

Reasons to Hire A Licensed Security Guard

The short answer to why you need to hire a licensed security guard is that it’s required by law. If you are running a business, it is important to have security in place. Hiring an unlicensed security guard can be dangerous and can also put your business at risk. It is important to make sure that any person who will be working as security has been properly trained and licensed. This is something that you need to check into before hiring anyone for your business. If you want to know more about how to hire a licensed security guard, keep reading for some tips on how to do so effectively.

Reasons:

  • They follow all regulations.
  • They know how to spot criminal intent.
  • They’re highly trained.
  • Many insurance companies offer discounts for licensed security guards.
  • They’re more affordable than you think.
  • They deter crime.
  • Most states require them at large events.
  • Their uniforms make them identifiable, which deters criminals from targeting your event.
  • They take care of details, so you don’t have to.
  • If the worst happens, they can direct the police on what to do next.
What are the Roles of a Licensed Security Guard?

When people think of security guards, they often envision burly men with small, self-important mustaches. Although you can still find that type of security guard in some states, security has evolved to include a variety of personnel who perform vastly different roles. There are many regulations and state laws governing everything from what guards can do and wear to where they can work. In most states, you’ll need some sort of license or certification to be able to work as a security guard. These days there are two main types of licenses: generic and restricted. Restricted licenses cover more specialized areas of security—like working in an airport or on oil rigs—whereas generic ones grant general permission for someone to work as a licensed private investigator or peace officer.

Final Thoughts

A licensed security guard can be an invaluable asset to any business or property owner looking to keep their valuable property safe and secure. Whether you’re concerned about protecting your business and customers from theft, or you want to make sure that your residential home is protected from burglary, a licensed security guard has the training, experience, and legal expertise necessary to provide you with the protection you need. Licensed security guards are individuals who have gone through extensive training and testing to become certified to work in this capacity.