Security guard services are important for a variety of reasons, such as loss prevention, protection of assets and personnel, and personal security. That’s the easy part. What’s more difficult is determining the right security profile for the task at hand.
Unless the right questions are asked and answered, the type of security guard service a company receives might not fit the bill. Capability is key to building trust, and that comes about through focused, effective service by experts in the security business.
“If you hire a painter, you can see whether or not they are doing their jobs by looking at the walls. But when you hire a security guard company, how often can you see whether the guard company is doing their job … effectively monitoring and supervising your guards? In most instances they probably are, but it is important to implement a system of verification and quality control to ensure that problems associated with the lack of performing these jobs do not begin to occur,” writes Courtney Sparkman.
In this post, Sparkman goes on to offer tips which she says, in her experience, resolves the bulk of concerns clients encounter with the provision of security guard services. They include reviewing the supervision system for security guards.
“Having a contractor with adequate systems for remotely supervising your guards is one of the most important components of ensuring good service. If your security contractor is not providing adequate supervision, your guards will be inadequately trained and unmotivated,” she writes.
“Additionally, when your guards aren’t supervised they often feel that the job they are performing isn’t important. Subsequently, they often adopt unprofessional behaviour such as being habitually tardy or even stealing. Before signing a contract with a security guard company, find out how it will carry out guard supervision.”
Other tips include:
Assessing the training provided to guardsPerforming inspections to improve securityMeeting regularly with the security contractorChoosing a qualified contractorVerifying the certifications of the guards
“Find out what the requirements are in your (jurisdiction) and verify that the guards that your security guard company is placing are in compliance.”
Ministry Regulates Industry, Aiming for ‘Exceptional Customer Service’
In Ontario, the Ministry of Community & Correctional Services is responsible for the licensing and regulation of security guards, aiming to “ensure security guards and private investigators in Ontario carry out their work professionally, effectively, safely and lawfully.” At Investigative Solutions Network (ISN), all the guards are licensed by the ministry, selected for their commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
Their guards are provided with the best training, equipment and support, all designed to enhance client service and make them industry leaders. As a licensed security guard training agency, ISN ensures its guards receive training that exceeds provincial and federal standards and are committed to providing comprehensive ongoing training programs.”
Are you looking to hire security guards? Contact us for more information.