Growing organizations will almost certainly need a dependable security partner to safeguard their assets, events, and people. However, picking the proper security firm isn’t as simple as it appears. Hundreds of security firms claim to provide reliable services, yet many fail to deliver. But before you agree on the dotted line and hire a new security firm, make sure you have all of the necessary information. Here are four things you should ask any private security firm before employing them.
Do they hold all of the necessary operating licenses?
Various states have distinct operational security requirements. However, all jurisdictions need a security firm to have a basic license or credentials to function lawfully.
The first step is to check if a security firm has a Private Patrol Operators (PPO) License. A PPO license allows the license holder to hire security people as employees. There are several criteria for obtaining a PPO license, including having liability insurance.
Second, a security firm must guarantee that its employees are appropriately licensed. The purpose of security officer licensure is to verify that officers have received the necessary training. Because some states have shallow licensing standards, officers may require extra training beyond the licensing classes.
What kind of security training do their officers have?
Any successful security operation must prioritize ongoing training. The licensing procedure will teach you the fundamentals you’ll need as a security officer, but you’ll need to keep learning to be a successful employee like any profession.
Every business has a basic onboarding process. Training on business operations, corporate functions, and work objectives should all be included. On-the-Job (OTJ) training is also required regularly. When a supervisor takes an officer on a new site tour, they make sure the officer understands all of the checkpoints. A supervisor can assess how effectively an officer learns the work requirements by asking verbal questions and role-playing scenarios. This is also a valuable tool for cops who are having trouble doing their responsibilities.
Quarterly training workshops and seminars are another excellent training resource. Workshops and seminars are ideal for keeping officers up to speed on industry best practices, new training methods, and any changes to corporate operations. Consistent training keeps officers attentive and involved with the organization and industry and keeps training tools in mind.
What are the costs of their products and services?
Everyone wants the most bang for their buck when it comes to security vendors. However, you don’t want to be at the cost of quality for the lowest price.
Prospective consumers are more inclined to pay a more excellent price for superior service if a security business can explain its worth. Companies have all the facts and graphics they need to justify their pricing with security management and reporting software.
It’s critical to consider various company expenditures, such as patrol expenses and hazard pay, while developing a price structure. There are a few different pricing techniques that may be employed after you have an understanding of the business expenditures that need to be covered.
The Mobile Patrol Cost Calculators are also an excellent plug-and-play resource for determining hourly charges.
The duration the company has been in operation?
When it comes to selecting a new vendor, experience counts a lot. Compared to a new or younger firm that is still growing pains, a well-established corporation with years of expertise is more likely to have more professional standards in place.
When hiring a security firm, the same rationale applies. A seasoned security firm would most likely have developed relationships with local authorities. They will be aware of regional security concerns and have plans in place to deal with them if they emerge.
Aside from the extra community knowledge, long-standing security firms are likely to have many referrals and evaluations attesting to their service excellence.