| Apartment and Condo Security: Hiring | | | | present a higher level of liability risk for you. |
| Competent Security Guards. | | | | There are many company and private |
| The security personnel that tours the grounds of | | | | investigators that provide background screening |
| apartments and condominiums often fall into one | | | | services at affordable prices. Many of them can |
| of two categories: (1) they are either hired by | | | | be found through a simple online search for your |
| and work directly for the property management | | | | local area or through your local telephone |
| company, or (2) they are contracted and | | | | directory. You can also check with other |
| employed by an outside security agency. | | | | residential complexes or associations for referrals. |
| Whether you employ a security guard directly or | | | | Do not hire applicants without verifiable |
| contract one through an outside security agency, | | | | references. Keep in mind that you will most likely |
| there are several things you need to be aware of | | | | be turning over keys to the premises to one or |
| to ensure you receive the maximum security | | | | more of your security guards. So be sure to |
| services possible from your security staff. | | | | follow up on each and every reference. |
| Weigh the Risk | | | | Remember—when it doubt, cross them out! |
| When it comes to hiring security staff, the risk of | | | | How to Ensure Optimum Service from Your |
| liability is a key factor and choosing the right | | | | Security Agency |
| guard company or individuals is paramount to | | | | When choosing a security agency, it's best to go |
| reducing your legal exposure. | | | | with a larger firm that has been around for a few |
| Should you opt to hire a security guard directly, | | | | years. The benefit of a larger agency over a |
| keep in mind that your property management | | | | smaller one is that larger agencies have a greater |
| company will be considered the responsible party | | | | amount of employees to choose from. They |
| should any type of altercation or worse event | | | | can easily replace no-shows and/or officers that |
| arise. This same liability extends to residents, | | | | do not meet to your satisfaction. Larger |
| staff members, and other civilians as a result of | | | | agencies also have a better employee retention |
| the actions of the security guard. | | | | rate, as these agencies are able to provide better |
| Security guards that are hired as an outside | | | | benefits, training, and job opportunities. |
| contractor through a security agency do not | | | | You can also improve the services you receive |
| present the same liability risk to property | | | | by taking the initiative to set up strict patrol |
| management companies. With the right contract | | | | compliance standards or "post orders" and include |
| in place, if something happens, the security | | | | them as part of your written contract. Post |
| agency that employs the security guard will | | | | orders are the written details that explain how |
| usually (but not in all cases) be considered the | | | | your property is to be serviced by each security |
| responsible party. | | | | guard on patrol. An example would be stating |
| In order to determine whether or not to hire | | | | what time and for how many hours the premises |
| security staff directly or contract with an outside | | | | are to be patrolled by foot. |
| security agency, you need to decide what level of | | | | Having these orders in writing is important |
| liability risk you and your company are willing to | | | | because it acts as a contract. Any failure to |
| assume. (Consult with a law office specializing in | | | | provide the services outline in the post orders can |
| this field.) | | | | be considered a breach of contract by the |
| Qualifications | | | | security agency and provide you with a valid |
| Many security guards are retired or off-duty | | | | reason to refuse payment of their services or |
| police officers or military personnel. As a result, | | | | terminating their services altogether. |
| they usually are better trained and have more | | | | When it comes to agencies that offer |
| real-word experience. But don't assume that this | | | | drive-through security patrols, it is recommended |
| means they are qualified to provide adequate | | | | that you avoid this type of service, as they are |
| security to the premises of your residential | | | | usually just a waste of time and money. This is |
| complex. Police training does not include such | | | | because in order to be effective, the security |
| coursework. | | | | guard needs to spend a significant amount of time |
| On the other hand, many of the other people | | | | on the premises. However, this is often not the |
| employed as security guards are just regular | | | | case with many drive-through services, because |
| civilians. Although most usually have some form | | | | many drive-through services have multiple |
| of training and/or experience, there are those | | | | complexes to patrol. This causes the security |
| who have very little or no professional security | | | | guard to zip through the complex so that he can |
| training whatsoever. | | | | do the same for the many others on his list. |
| It's always important to ensure that whomever | | | | The following is some additional advice on how to |
| you hire as a security guard for your complex | | | | ensure you receive optimum security services |
| has adequate training and experience. So be | | | | from your contracted security agency: |
| sure to ask the necessary questions, verify | | | | ü Read the contract in its entirety. Watch |
| references, and obtain written proof of | | | | out for any clauses that release the security |
| qualifications for all potential applicants. | | | | agency from liability. |
| As a rule of thumb—when in doubt, cross | | | | ü Ensure your contract lists you as an insured |
| them out! | | | | person and holds you harmless from negligent |
| Background Checks | | | | acts of the security agency or guards they |
| An extensive criminal background check and | | | | contract out to you. |
| complete job references are an absolute must! | | | | ü Obtain copies of the security guard |
| Additionally, if your guard is to carry a firearm, | | | | company license and evidence of insurance. |
| you must obtain a valid copy of his or her gun | | | | ü Include your written post-orders/patrol |
| permit. If you rely on your contracted security | | | | instructions as a contract addendum. |
| agency to provide these, make sure to obtain | | | | ü Obtain in writing that the contract agency |
| written proof of this important information for | | | | will provide background screenings and all training |
| each and every security guard they contract out | | | | required for the premises to be properly patrolled. |
| to you. Do not rely on word of mouth. | | | | ü Obtain in writing that the security guard |
| Most contracted security officers have had | | | | agency is responsible for providing all security |
| background screenings conducted by the security | | | | equipment to their security guards. |
| agency for which they work. But it's up to you | | | | ü Ensure that each security guard is provided |
| to ensure that a background check has, in fact, | | | | with emergency contact numbers and access to |
| been conducted and done so within the last 24 | | | | a telephone. |
| months. | | | | ü Provide written instructions to residents on |
| If you decide to employ your own security staff, | | | | how to contact a security guard. |
| you will need to take the necessary steps to | | | | ü Communicate directly and frequently with |
| ensure they are qualified. Be sure to they | | | | security agency supervisors to ensure optimum |
| provide verifiable job references and have a | | | | service. |
| criminal background check performed to ensure | | | | ü Accept nothing less than the best from |
| they have no felony criminal convictions. Do not | | | | your security guard service. |
| hire anyone with a criminal record, as they | | | | |