Security officers are valuable to promote security in businesses, events, government establishments, and more. They can stop crime before it happens, deter criminals, control access, and provide valuable resources for emergency response. The best way to ensure that you’re getting top quality security officers is to use a private security officer staffing company, rather than hiring security officers yourself. When you use a private security company, your security officers will show up trained, professional, and ready to do their job. When you hire private security officers, you should ask your staffing company questions to make sure you’re choosing the right company and making the right decision. We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask next time you’re hiring private security officers.

1. What are the Costs of Services?

When you've established that you're dealing with a reputable company, eventually cost will come into the picture, and it's important to discover whether or not the security contractor can address core issues. For instance, how frequently will the contractor bill for services rendered? Will they charge a flat monthly rate, a uniform hourly rate for all employees or a unique hourly rate for each individual officer?

Typically, paying a unique hourly rate for each officer provides clients with the most scalable service. Ask whether additional charges will be made for uniforms, equipment or supplies-- these items should be proposed, justified, fair and mutually agreed upon. Regardless, it's important to develop a nuanced understanding of a how a security contractor assesses costs before you sign a contract.

2. Are the Officers Professionally Trained and Licensed?

Make sure the company you hire provides only well-trained and licensed security officers. Without a professional company facilitating the officer, you would not have the needed affirmation that the officer will be capable of doing the job correctly and offer the services you require. Therefore, licensed security officers will be able to ensure proficiency and expert security services so you know that you’re hiring a true professional, well capable of protecting your property and residents. When speaking with a company, make sure their security officers are trained, licensed and are required to pass an extensive background check. 

3. How are the Officers Trained?

Don’t be afraid to ask your security company how they train their officers. It’s not enough that they provide training, you should be sure that your officers receive proper and extensive training. A quality security company will be able to provide you with detailed explanations of the training process. You should be weary of any company that has a short training process or one that is not very hands-on. Although online training can help provide valuable information, training processes that only involve online training will leave security officers wildly unprepared for real world scenarios.

4. Do Your Security Officers Appear Professional?

If the company's security officers don't wear uniforms or patrol in plain white vehicles with no logos, then you may need to consider a few questions. Is the company reliable or a fly-by-night operation? A professional appearance entails a clean fleet of easily identifiable patrol vehicles and officers who wear uniforms with clear labeling. 

Obviously, security officers shouldn't arrive for duty in t-shirts and jeans. In addition to physical appearance, the security officers should also maintain professionalism on and off the company's premises. Even when the officers are on break or have down time while patrolling, they are representing the company and therefore should continue to look and act professional. 

5. Is Your Security Company Insured? 

Make sure the security company you are considering carries general liability, workers comp and business insurance. If an issue occurs on your property, it’s important the security company has insurance to keep you protected. Insurance will ensure if an issue does occur on your property, the company will have the proper resources for added protection. Additionally, you should be weary of any companies without proper insurance, as they could be cutting corners in other areas and are probably unreliable.

6. Do Your Officers Have Experience Working in my Industry?

One of the most common concerns is that the officers don't have experience working with a particular company. It's important officers are able to immerse themselves into company culture to better understand specific policies as well as become business ambassadors. Security officers offer the added benefit of becoming customer service representatives. 

As a patrolling officer becomes immersed into company culture they understand your business inside and out. Customers and clients feel comfortable walking up to uniformed security personnel to ask for directions or learn more about a business's products and services. You can rest assure that employing personalized and capable officers will keep your business secure and your customers happy. 

7. Which Type of Officers (And How Many) Do I Need?

Every company's risks and business objectives are different requiring customized approaches, policies, procedures and requirements. It's important to employ a security officer company that offers management and personnel to work with you in developing security officer staffing solutions for either armed or unarmed officers that cost-effectively address your challenges while supporting your business. 

With this in-depth consultation, you should discuss and analyze each and every entry point, visitor access, hallway cameras as well as any area will benefit the property as you’ll know the sections needing improvement. Not only can you see what areas require an upgrade but also have the opportunity to learn about innovative security technology as well as how many and what type of security officers will be beneficial to advance property safety measurements altogether.

8. Do You Monitor Your Officers?

Many security officers are on duty at night, over the weekend or during closed hours when the security company’s office is also closed. This can lead to worry and possible lack of oversight, which is one of the top complaints in the security officer industry. A dependable and professional security company should clearly exhibit management and supervisors that stay in contact with guards on duty to ensure reliable and consistent service.

9. How Will I Know if an Incident Occurs?

A professional security company should maintain and uphold logbooks, incident reports, and other necessary documents that suit each client’s individual needs. They should also have an organized system in place to provide this information to the client when requested. When you use a quality security company, you will be immediately notified of any incidents and you can be sure that all issues are handled appropriately.

USI Security | Security Officer Training and Staffing

For the past 26 years, USI has created safe, secure environments for commercial and government employees and customers by investing in our people, innovation and relationships. As engaged owner-operators, our investment begins with recruitment and screening to ensure we have the right people and continues through our policies and practices that enable USI to properly train and retain the best personnel.

USI is engaged in supporting your security and business by developing customized security solutions that support your objectives while cost-effectively minimizing risk. Clients receive continuous support from a highly responsive team of professionals including owners, management, field supervisors and officers. Our commitment to quality includes field inspections and audits, as well as investments in innovative solutions for continuous training and compliance.