9 Mistakes to avoid when hiring security guard companies

Security guard companies can bring significant value to your organization.  When done right, security guard services like ours protect your assets and reduce your liability in ways that are unmatched by any other service.  In many cases, however, a security guard company can do more harm than good. Before hiring on in Washington DC, you should ask the right questions . You should also avoid a few pitfalls. Below, we’re covering the most significant mistakes businesses make when hiring a security guard companies.

The best security companies understand that they should advise clients and command suspects. All too often, security companies try to tell their clients what to do. They never consider what is important to their client or ask for their client’s opinion.  While your hired security team is outfitted with professional support, it should still mold to your business’s needs. You know your business better than anyone else, and it’s essential to hire a security guard company which understands the impact its services have on its client’s business.  A security company that does not listen to their clients are destined for failure. 

While a security guard company makes in handling altercations, prevention should be their primary focus. You should hire a security guard company which has a reliable prevention technique.  They should be able to assess a situation, react to breaches and suggest new frameworks to prevent future crime.  Security guards that are more focused on apprehension than prevention tend to be overly aggressive.  Aggressive security often make mistakes that can result in lawsuits.  Prevention is the key.  Several sources consider prevention to be more effective than direct action . 

Mistake three:  Picking a company that does not have a 24-hour service hotline that is answered by supervisors.

Many companies rely on voicemail after hours.  In such cases, clients call, leave a message and hope for a call back.  In many cases, calls are returned the next business day.  The problem is that the next day may be too late.  Call the security companies that you are considering after 8:00 PM and see what happens.  Who answers the phone?  If you leave a message how long does it take to get a return call?  The best security companies have dedicated supervisors who answer the phones 24/7.  Only pick organizations that meet this standard.

Businesses often overlook this lesser-known tidbit of knowledge: Not all security guard companies offer uniform options. Can your security guard team dress in a uniform that fits your environment? Do they wear police-style uniforms? What about polo shirts, a suit, a tie or even plain clothes? Your guard team may not need to be decked out in SWAT-style tactical gear.  It should, however, be in a professional uniform.  That uniform should be selected with your site in mind.  A uniform guard team can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the security team.

Always check a security guard company’s reputation before hiring it. Fortunately, Google has made it incredibly easy to check, double-check and browse different companies. Check out the company’s online reviews. Or, look up its management on LinkedIn. View their facebook and twitter pages.  Be sure also to check the company’s Better Business Bureau rating.

Never hire a security agency without reviewing their license and certificate of insurance.  Simply having insurance is not enough.  The security company that you select should have coverage levels that can adequately fund your defense if needed.  A reputable insurance agency should have liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence, $3 million aggregate and $2 million umbrella coverage.  They should also have auto liability and worker’s compensation coverage.

Don’t pick a security guard company based on low prices, alone.  A wise business person once said, “Those who buy based on price, buy twice.”   There is often a direct correlation between the quality of the security services offered and the prices that they charge. Thus, the lowest bidder might not have the best service options. You might save money by picking a cheap provider, but you will pay later when they’re failing to provide adequate security.

Your security guard team might be effective. They might be quick-acting, too. They should, however, have a competent and reliable backup team. Always ask.  Who will cover the shift if the security officer does not show up?  Are their replacements available if you are not happy?  Ask your hired security company what systems do they have to verify that the security officer is on duty?  Similarly, make sure they have enough workers to fill in for emergencies. If you don’t, you might find yourself high and dry when your security staffing needs are critical.

Because security guard companies are varied based upon the hiring business’s needs, it’s a bad idea to pick a team based solely upon reviews alone. Don’t hire security guards without defining your business’s protection needs. Your business’s objectives come first, and it’s entirely possible to employ a security guard company which has been streamlined to accommodate these goals.

Once you’ve hired a security guard company, you should still stay up to date on the company’s changes, new hires, and new services. It’s possible to get a highly customized security guard experience, but it requires time and effort. The resources spent are worthwhile. At the end of the day: An intelligently picked, high-quality security guard force will protect your business for many, many years.

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