Secrets California Security Guard Companies Don't Want You To Know

THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS: Almost always,security guard abuse, consider having an
security rates are determined on an hourly basis.open-door policy where officers can speak freely
Large cities generally cost more for service.about their concerns to you.
Security guards in Los Angeles, for instance, arePOOR RECRUITMENT: Because it's expensive and
more expensive than Fresno. If you attempt totime consuming to hire security, many security
hire your own officers ('in-house' as it iscompanies do not take the necessary steps to
commonly referred to) special licensing is involved.screen and interview properly. The client invariably
It's easier, and usually more cost-effective, to usepays the price. Have your security company put
security companies for security staffing.in your contract how they conduct drug screening
Currently, most California security companies willand background checks, and ask where and how
charge, on average, $14.00 dollars an hour for anthey recruit.
unarmed officers. (note: keep in mind that thisPOOR SUPERVISION: It's also expensive to hire
$14.00 rate is what a security company willgood supervisors and sometimes short cuts are
charge, not what the officer actually makes.)taken. Security staff must be supervised. Without
More than $15.00 an hour should be consideredsupervision, security staff are more likely to
quite high for a security guard rate, especially inmake mistakes. Policies and procedures must be
this economy, unless there is unusual training andchecked. Get to know your supervisors. If not
or skills required for the job. Few security guardpart of the daily crew of guards, find out how
companies will offer $13.00 an hour for theiroften supervisors visit. Request supervisory
unarmed guards.reports. When mistakes happen, find out what
Below $12.00 an hour is very rare and is causecorrective actions the supervisors took. The more
for suspicion, since operating expenses are almostinvolved you are, the safer you and your
always too high to allow that low of a margin.workplace will be.
Unarmed security guards under $13.00 an hourNO GUARD CARDS: Security officers must have
should cause you to ask the guard company howcurrent BSIS guard cards on them when working.
they can operate with so low a rate. How aboutThere are no exceptions. Any security staff
the guards themselves? Well, unarmed securityworking without a valid guard card subjects the
guards average only about $9.50 an hour forbusiness to a pricey fine. It easy to check online
most California cities.to verify security card status. Simply Google it
For armed security officers, security companiesand it will come up. It is perfectly appropriate for
will charge, on average, $15.50 an hour. Higheryou to check your security officer's guard cards.
than $17.00 an hour is expensive, and belowBecause forgery of guard cards happens, ask
$14.00 an hour is suspiciously low. The averageyour security guards for a second ID so you can
armed security officer earns (himself) $12.00 ancross-reference.
hour.NO INSURANCE: California armed security staff
Use the above rate information to negotiateare required by BSIS to be under a $500.000
better deals on your security guard vendorgeneral liability insurance policy. Also, worker's
contracts. Also consider:compensation policy must be in place for both
TRAINING: The California Bureau of Security andarmed and unarmed officers. Have your security
Investigative Services (BSIS) oversees all trainingvendor provide copies of their workers
standards for California security guards. Theycompensation and general liability insurance. To
detail specific standards, which can be found onsave money, some security companies either don
their website.not have full insurance or get insured and then
Officer training must be on-going, but manyquickly cancel their policies after a new contract is
security guard companies do not comply withsigned. You can protect yourself and company by
training requirements as they are time-consumingrequesting copies of insurance certification every
and expensive. On-site training is perhaps mostnow and then, without warning. Also, make sure
important since every account has unique securityyour guard contract has an indemnification clause.
needs. Make sure your security guard companyLICENSE: All California security guard companies
shows you documentation of ongoing guardmust also be licensed. You can check license
training.status by visiting the BSIS website.
Written tests taken by security guards must beDOCUMENTATION: All security-related problems
completed. The questions of the test shouldshould be documented. Reports are sometimes
pertain both to your specific account and generalused in lawsuits and they must be well-written,
rules and regulations, mandated by BSIS. Keep inthorough, and legible. Confirm that you have
mind, the more well trained security guards are,incident reports, know where they are kept, ask
the better prepared they are to protect yourto read them. If you work with a security
business.company, it is their responsibility to ensure all
SECURITY GUARD'S PLIGHT: Because manysecurity guards write competent report, but,
security officers are low income earners andremember, the more involved you are, the safer
have limited education, they can be takenyou will be.
advantage of by unethical security guardTHERE'S MANY CHOICES: There is well over a
companies. Most common pay problems includethousand California security companies. Fierce
shorting officer hours and failing to pay overtime,competition to earn your business allows you
which is a Labor Board requirement.many options so take your time and choose
Additional security staff mistreatment includeswisely.
harassment and safety violations. To minimize