Best Security Guard Company in San Francisco

 

When property managers seek the best security guard company in San Francisco, they have an image in mind of how their contract security force should look, but far too frequently, what they receive falls short of their expectations. What we’ve discovered is that while the majority of security guard companies are capable of providing the level of service desired by property managers, they frequently fail to do so due to a lack of ongoing quality control procedures.

Security guard companies are unique in comparison to other operators that a property manager might hire. If you hire a painter, you can determine whether they are doing a good job by inspecting the walls. However, when you hire a security guard company, how frequently can you verify that the guard company is doing its job, which includes conducting background checks and drug screenings, providing sufficient training for your guards, and monitoring and supervising your guards effectively? They probably are in the majority of cases, but it is critical to implement a system of verification and quality control to ensure that problems associated with the inability to perform these jobs do not develop.

 

This article will discuss five (5) simple steps for improving your security guard service and achieving the ideal security guard force you envision.

Examine the Qualifications of Your Guards

Guards are required to complete a specified amount of training in many states before they can begin working as security guards. If your state falls under one of these categories, make certain that your security guard company complies.

If you live in a state that does not require guard certification, you should investigate the type of training provided by your security company and determine whether it appears to be adequate.

Additionally, does your security guard company conduct background checks and drug tests on all guards Before they can be assigned to your property? If they are, they should be able to provide you with proof. If not, what is the reason?

Another excellent way to determine if the guard is a good fit for your property is to conduct a brief “interview” to gauge the guard’s personality and to communicate your expectations. This initial conversation can reveal a great deal about what to expect from that guard and provides an opportunity to request a different guard if necessary.

 

Evaluate Guard Training

Although the majority of security guard companies conduct an extended orientation that introduces each guard to the company, the guard’s orientation to his assigned property is frequently incomplete. The orientation for the assigned property is referred to as “Site Specific Training.” Determine the format of your site-specific training:

  • Is it a problem on your property?
  • Who is responsible for training?
  • How long does it take to train each new officer?
  • How long does the security company maintain a dual bank account? (Double banking is the practice of having an experienced guard work alongside the new guard.)
  • How thoroughly do you explain your post orders?

Determine the answer to each of these questions and ensure that it corresponds to your assessment of what is adequate. Consider attending your security guard company’s orientation and site-specific training to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in preparing a guard to work on your property.

 

Take a Look at Your Guard’s Supervision

Guard supervision is a critical component of a professional security guard service. When security companies provide inadequate supervision, they place insufficient emphasis on preventing errors, problems, and complaints. Additionally, lack of supervision eliminates the opportunity for the guard to learn and gain a better understanding of their responsibilities. If guards are not supervised, they develop a sense of insignificance for their work and begin to view themselves as less of a part of the security team. When guards do not feel a sense of belonging to your team, it frequently results in unacceptable behaviors such as unprofessionalism, tardiness, and even theft.

On-site supervisors may or may not be included in your contract, depending on its structure. So, how does your security guard company keep an eye on its guards if your contract says that on-site supervision is not required? Apart from the standard security company field supervisor spot checks, the two most effective methods of remote supervision are as follows:

  1. System for Tracking Officer Tours
  2. Check-Ins with Officers

If your guards are required to make rounds of your property, it is critical to have a system in place to track their whereabouts while on duty. Officer Tour Tracking Systems enable remote monitoring of guards on your property. These tracking systems enable the security guard company to keep track of the guards’ time and activity as they make their rounds to various areas on your property. The majority of Officer Tour Tracking Systems generate reports that enable the security guard company to quickly determine whether the guard is performing his or her rounds. Additionally, the property manager should receive an abbreviated version of these reports.

Along with Officer Tour Tracking systems, we’ve discovered that having a system in place for guards to check in with the security guard company on a regular basis helps ensure that each guard is safe and alert. By requiring guards to check in with the security guard company on a regular basis, at least every 30 minutes, guards are made aware that their safety is a priority and that remaining awake and alert is an essential part of their job.

 

Examine Your Guards

After-hours inspections of your guards are always an excellent way to ascertain exactly what is going on with your security while you are away. During these inspections, be sure to inquire about your security guards’ duties and responsibilities to ensure they are familiar with their jobs. Indeed, as part of your ongoing security program, we recommend that you have your security guards audited regularly, both formally (i.e. post-inspection) and informally (i.e. secret shopped) by a licensed security consultant.

Asymmetric Strategies, for example, provides a free service that accomplishes precisely that. Bear in mind that when selecting a security consultant, it is critical to ensure that the consultant is not affiliated with a security guard company. If this is the case, your audit is certain to uncover issues with your current security guard company.

 

Consult your Security Guard Company on a regular basis

The fifth and simplest step is to meet with your security company on a regular basis. Property managers who do not provide regular feedback to their security guard company are missing out on opportunities to increase efficiency incrementally. These meetings should cover tenant feedback, guard attrition, feedback from any remote supervisory systems, and any security audits.

For property managers, achieving the desired level of security service is frequently a simple matter of implementing the appropriate processes to ensure that all parties understand what is expected. The five simple steps outlined here are just a few to consider.