The chances of intruders, burglars, or thieves trespassing on your property are quite high when it comes to the property. Whether it be a home, an office, or a large mansion, burglars and thieves are always preying for the chance to trespass and steal some valuables.
To protect your property from intruders, hiring a security guard is a must.
However, in most cases, property owners might not know how to hire a security guard to protect their premises.
In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about hiring a security guard for a day, home, wedding, or event.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Hire a Security Guard?
No matter where you live, there is always a chance of uninvited guests trespassing on your property. The moment you decide to hire additional security, the next step is to determine how to hire a security guard.
Here are some ways you can hire a security guard:
- First, you’ll need to create criteria for the kind of security guard you want.
- Next, you can spread the word about it, and ask your social contacts, friends, family, and coworkers to help you find one.
- You can also post about hiring a security guard on social media.
- An excellent approach to hiring a skilled security guard is to get in touch with security service providers. Such companies exist to help you with your security needs and ensure you get a reliable security guard on board.
- Once you get some responses and resumes, filter those based on your budget and security needs.
- Next, you need to conduct interviews. Ensure to check the candidates’ certifications and experience in providing security.
- Do a background and reference check to ensure you get a trustworthy and competent security guard on board.
Following this process can help you get a good security guard successfully. Now let’s find out some types of security guards you can hire.
Types of Security Guards
Unarmed Guards
Unarmed guards are the most common type of guards that covers a wide range of services for venues, organizations, businesses, and industries. The roles of unarmed guards include managing and invigilating security cameras, foot patrolling, controlling access to premises, and many more.
Unarmed guards perform basic security protocols and most of the people interested in starting their career as security guards start from it. They are basically helpful in situations where the crime rate is low. They come in handy to provide security to business owners as they maintain a professional look, and their presence is often sufficient to control situations involving vandalism or theft.
Armed Guards
When it comes to armed guards, they have to go through various training sessions and obtain licenses to operate weapons, They are allowed to carry weapons to ensure a high level of security at any particular site. However, with permission to carry weapons, armed guards are liable to legal, professional, and moral responsibilities. These guards have to abide by the law to legally use force and weapons in case of a high-security threat.
These guards are responsible for responding to critical security incidents which involve active shooting. Typically armed guards are hired for the security of banks, jewellery stores, and other locations where the chances of security threats are high on any given day.
Construction Sites Guard
Construction sites, warehouses, and manufacturing premises are highly vulnerable to thefts and robberies due to an inventory of expensive goods, materials, and equipment.
The construction security guard is responsible for monitoring the site after every hour, securing equipment, goods, and tools, and supervising access to the premises.
Retail Store Security Guard
Retail Guards are more commonly found outside every superstore. The responsibility of the retail store security guard is to prevent the premises from loss and theft of products in retail locations.
All of the monitoring is done through security cameras and patrolling areas with expensive goods. The purpose is to ensure that no employee or any customer damages the product.
Research and Compare Security Guard Companies
Before you hire a security guard, it is essential to do some research and compare security guard companies. The purpose is to find the best one affordable without regretting it later. Moreover, comparing security guard companies will help you know more about their experience, what clients they have served, and know the feedback of customers.
When comparing and researching different security guard companies, let’s find out in detail.
Reputation
Hiring a security guard requires you to get in contact with a security service company. However, not all companies are the same, and you must conduct thorough research before finalizing your decision.
Remember that a company’s reputation is highly dependent on customer reviews, reputation, and overall ratings. Make sure to check positive and negative feedback of customers on its website, Google My Business, and social media profiles.
A single bad review is not the yardstick to reject the company completely. However, multiple bad reviews of the same or different types are somewhat worrisome. If all of the security companies in your list are listed with multiple bad reviews, make sure to clear any ambiguities when conducting interviews.
Another great way to evaluate a company’s reputation is to check how long it has been in the industry and the size of its workforce. The longer the company has been offering services, the better it is.
Cost and Services Offered
The next step is to evaluate the cost and services being offered. Some security companies will cost much more, while others will offer a dirt low price. However, the cost is also associated with the service type. Some of the factors that influence the cost of security guard are:
- Hiring a guard for a particular event and amount of time
- Number of security guards needed to protect your property, family, or yourself.
- Physical location of the premises needs to be supervised.
- The value of an asset that needs to be protected
- The quality and experience of the security guard
Some of the security services available at your disposal include:
- Security Guard for a Day:
If you are hiring a security guard for a day, it could cost you anywhere between $30-$50 per hour. The emergency response security guards will cost much higher than regular ones. You can hire a security guard for a day if you are organizing an event for a day at home or in the office. The purpose is to ensure the security of people attending the event and the valuables.
- Security Guard for Wedding
Planning a wedding is challenging and requires a lot of time and money to get it done rightly. And in the end, you want your guests to enjoy the wedding without any unusual incidents including theft, burglary, or physical harm. Hiring a security guard for the wedding should not be less than trustworthy, experienced, and cost-effective. If you are looking for reliable and customized security services near you, check security services in San Diego for more info.
- Security Guard for a Party
Arranging a big event or party bash is fun, exciting, and somewhat worrisome. Hiring a security guard for a party is necessary to prevent any unusual happenings such as burglary, crowd stampede, or physical brawl. Make sure to contact a professional and experienced security service company to avoid any type of incident.
- Security Guard for Home
Having a big mansion or condo is a blessing, but protecting it from thefts and break-ins could be daunting. Whether you live in an apartment, a gated community, a villa, or a condo, hiring a security guard will allow you to protect it from vandalism, theft, loitering, and assaults. A residential security guard is responsible for the protection and security of property and residents.
Training and Certification of Security Guards
Training and enhancing the skills of security guards is an ongoing process. From training to certification and licensing to skills enhancements, security companies need to invest in the skills and certification of security guards constantly. Before you hire a security guard, it is necessary to check the following.
Skills
The primary role of any security guard is to protect premises from unusual incidents such as crimes, thefts, burglaries, and trespassing. A security agency’s responsibility is to enhance communication skills, interviewing witnesses, and writing reports. Moreover, armed security guards must provide them with weapon handling, when to pull out a weapon as a last resort, and where to shoot a person without killing.
Before hiring a security guard, conduct a short interview and ask for the skills possessed by the individual.
Proper Certification
Security guards are also required to complete specific certifications as per law by the State. The certification helps understand standard operating procedures such as public safety, giving first aid and CPR, legal rights, emergency procedures, and security procedures.
Before hiring a security guard for a home or event, ensure that the individual has the certifications at his disposal.
Qualification
As far as qualification is concerned, a security guard does not require any form of a degree from an institute. However, it is important to qualify the conditions mentioned below:
- The guard must be over 18 years
- Pass all the criminal and identity records
- Have a valid SIA license.
On-going Support and Supervision
Ongoing support and supervision provided by the company
When appointing a security officer, the security company must undergo various tests and training to ensure proper hiring. However, when the security guard is hired and is appointed to perform security duties with a client, ongoing support and supervision is necessary from the company.
Supervising security guards means performing their duties according to the required standards. Moreover, ongoing support is also necessary to provide additional assistance to the security guard by the security company. If you are hiring a security guard, ensure that supervision and timely support are given when the guard is on duty.
Clear communication channels
A clear communication channel is necessary for seamless communication between the company, client, and security guard. When hiring a security guard, find what communication channels are being used. Nowadays, smartphones and two-way radios are used as a means of communication.
Other Important Things to Do Before Hiring a Security Guard
Sign a Contract
When hiring a security guard, one of the things to do is to sign a contract. The contract is meant to enlist everything on a legal document, so that the client and the company are on the same page. It also includes everything from pricing to liabilities and other terms and conditions.
Conduct an Interview:
Conducting an interview with the security guard is essential before finalizing the deal. The interview is meant to verify whether the security personnel possess the skills to handle different situations and know how to operate weapons.
Do Reference Check:
A reference check is another important factor when hiring a security guard. This allows you to certify whether the person is clean of any criminal records, holds a valid license, and is over 18 years.
FAQs
Q. What are some benefits of hiring a security guard?
Hiring a security guard comes with several benefits including:
- Handling Complicated Situations
- Crime Prevention
- Instant Response to Any Unusual Situation
- Securing Valuable Possessions, Goods, and Premises
- Peace of Mind
Q. What To Look For When Hiring Security Guards
Some of the things to look for when hiring a security guard are:
- Average Cost of Hiring a Security Guard
- Work Experience of a Security Guard
- Training and Certifications
- Use of the Latest Equipment and Technology
Q. What are the 5 qualities of a good security guard?
The qualities of a good security guard are:
- Well Maintained Physical Fitness
- Communication Skills
- Alertness to the Situation
- Judgement
- Honesty
Final Thoughts – How to Hire a Security Guard?
Importance of careful consideration when hiring a security guard
Hiring a security guard comes with a lot of insecurities. From checking experience to competency and skills to handling serious situations, all of these factors are considerations one must consider before hiring a security officer.
Steps to ensure the hiring of a competent and reliable security guard
Hiring a security officer is no less than a challenge. But in short, if you want to ensure a competent and reliable security guard, make sure to check the following:
1. Communication of Security Guard
2. Ability to Lead and Act as a Team Player
3. Alertness to the Situation in case of any Suspicion
4. Strength and Fitness to Ensure the Security of People without any Hurdle
5. Attention to Detail to Overcome the Situation before it Turns Worse