Security guard: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering security guard

You provide security guards for properties and events, patrolling, controlling access and reporting incidents according to the client's site rules. Your value is trained, licensed guards who show up and write clear reports.

What customers ask

  • Are your guards licensed for this work, and can you show me proof?
  • What will the guards do if there is a fight or a break in?
  • How do I know the guard was on the property during the shift?
  • Can you cover a shift at short notice?
  • What training do your guards have for my kind of site?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the site address, the hours, the access rules, the incident history and the emergency contacts, then confirm them in writing.
  • Walk the site with the client before the first shift, and write down the post locations, the patrol route and the check times.
  • Send a sample shift log and incident report, so the client sees exactly what they will receive.
  • Keep a license and insurance file for every guard, and send the client the current proof before the guard starts.
  • Set a clear rule in the quote for when guards call police and when they call the client, so the response is consistent.
  • Check the guard's shift record against the post sheet, and report any missed check to the client the same day.

What to put on your profile

  • List the license types your guards hold and the states where they are licensed.
  • Describe the sites you cover, such as construction, retail, residential or commercial property.
  • Name the training your guards complete, in general terms, and say how it is kept current.

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Review the post orders with the client each quarter, since site needs change.
  • Offer a site assessment if incidents increase, with recommendations on lighting, access and patrol times.
  • Suggest a trial of extra patrols at the times when incidents have occurred.

Licenses and permits

Security guard work is commonly licensed in many areas, and rules on licensing, training and registration are set by each state or local licensing agency. Have every guard's license, the company's license and any required insurance current before the guard starts, and check the rules where the guard will work.

Questions

Can a guard company work without a license?

In many areas, no, since guards are commonly required to be licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the company and the individual licenses that apply.

What if a guard misses a shift?

Tell the client at once, arrange a replacement guard who holds the same license and record the reason in the shift log.

How do I handle a client who wants guards to do work outside their license?

Decline in writing. Guards may only perform the duties their license allows, and the client should hire the right service for other work.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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