Security guards
Security guards are of paramount importance to the physical security of your employees, events and facilities. Security guards need to be included in the overall protective blanket of the organization. Even when security guards are outsourced, they need to be an integral component of your security plan and not considered separate function.Once you have decided your organizational needs for short or long term security guard(s), the complexity of your security requirements that the security guards will fulfill will need to be defined. Are the security guards required for a special event or an addition to your ongoing physical security plans? The target of this guide is to provide knowledge to help you decide about what needs to be considered when hiring security guards.
If your security requirements are very complex then an assessment by onsite security professional is recommended. You may want to consider hiring an external security consultant to help you write and review the request for proposal (RFP) you will send to security guard contractors. When hiring an outside security consultant to help with the proposal make sure they do not have ties to any security guard staffing agencies so you can get unbiased third party assistance.Will you only need security guards for short term work or special events?
The first decision to make is – do you require security guards for the short term or long term? Long term guards need to be deeply integrated into your security plan and be part of the security team. Short term guards are needed for special events and times of heightened security. Hiring short term guards usually means they are required for a particular function and that function needs to be defined and communicated perfectly to your short terms guards and the security guard agency.
For more about “Short Term Outsourced Security Guards”, click here.
Interactions with Outsourced Security Guards
It is important to remember that the guard has two major functions: first is to be present to deter and detect unusual or suspicious activity and second to safeguard property and people. How a security guard interacts with your organization is an indicator how that security guard will follow policy and how members of your organization will respect the function of the security guards.For more about “Interacting with Outsourced Security Guards”, click here.
Criteria for Security Contractor Selection
As soon as the need for a security firm has been determined on an immediate or long term basis, a security contractor needs to be selected. Make sure you select a company that has valid license. You should be certain that a company is reliable and in good standing.All of the following criteria should be reviewed:
- Adequate Insurance
- Reputation
- Verifiable References
- Experience and Management
- Training and Qualifications
- Staffing
- Documentation
- Equipment Issues
- Clear Proposal
- Costs
- Contract
Deciding What Kind of Security Guard Should Be Hired
Hiring security guards is serious business and should not to be taken lightly. Various types of security guards are appropriate for different situations. One important issue is whether you would like security at your site to be provided by a uniformed or plainclothes guard.
- The main goal for hiring a uniformed security guard is deterrence.
- The main goal for hiring a plainclothes security guard is apprehension.
After deciding what kind of security guard to hire, you must determine whether the security guard should be armed or unarmed. There are many costs and benefits to be considered when choosing an armed versus unarmed security guards.
Unarmed Security Guards
Majority of outsourced guards deployed are unarmed guards. Most situations unarmed guards are effective. When selecting unarmed guards consider:
- Use of deadly force is neither desired nor required.
- Unarmed security guards often provide the same deterrent as armed guards without the risk of deadly force.
- The protection afforded by unarmed guards is less expensive and may incur less liability and insurance.
Armed Security Guards
It is important to determine if hiring armed security guards meets your expectations for security. When selecting armed guards consider:
- Realize that armed guards may utilize deadly force.
- Review the training qualifications the security guards have with firearms.
- Review the contractor’s policy on the use of weapons with regard to deadly force.
- Verifying reference and making sure the reputation is a degree higher when hiring armed security guards.
Consider the cost effectiveness of an armed guard. They are much more expensive than unarmed security, due to licensing and training requirements. Decide whether the presence of a weapon may escalate the possible use of force and violence which otherwise may not occur. Insurance may be adversely affected by the presence of an armed guard. An ineffectively deployed armed guard can pose additional risk to staff. Deploying armed guards should not be taken lightly but may be your only option if what you are protecting or the area that needs protection required arm deterrents.
Summary
Outsourcing security guards needs to be carefully decided. When hiring short term security guards, the plan needs to be detailed and perfectly communicated to the short term guards and your organization’s staff. Security guards need to follow policy to the letter and any deviation from the policy needs to be cleared with the guards’ liaison. Security guards should not be chastised for following the policy to the letter. Deciding if the security guards should be armed or unarmed is a very important decision that can have noticable ripple effects and sets a tone on the security posture of your organization.When selecting security guards, nothing replaces experience and a great reputation. by Ryan Groom – About.com
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