Whether you're organising an event or adding an extra layer of protection to your workplace, security should be high on your list of priorities. Hiring security guards can make a significant difference to everyone's safety and may leave them feeling more comfortable. Before you consider security guards for hire, you need to know what to look for.
Relevant Experience
Security guards come with varying types of experience, yet may share the same title. A security guard who dedicates hours to preventing incidents at a festival may not have the same training as one in charge of CCTV observation. As such, before you hire someone, make sure they have enough experience in the area you are hiring them for. In doing so, you'll give them the best chance of performing efficiently and reducing security risks.
Correct Training and Licencing
Making sure someone has the correct training and licensing isn't just about ticking off a qualification box. It's also important when it comes to insurance and indemnity. For example, if you're hosting an event and a security guard needs to restrain someone, using an unlicensed guard could incur fines if that person is injured. Depending on the business you're running, using unlicensed guards can also nullify your insurance entirely. A firm will readily show you each guard's qualifications before allowing you to hire them.
Customer Skills
Although your security team is there to maintain order, there's a chance they'll also spend time around customers. Because of this, you don't want them to be too rough and ready. Your customers or event attendees may turn to them with inquiries. While you can't expect them to have all the answers, they should be customer-friendly enough to redirect people while making them feel valued. Hiring a guard who is abrasive can create a poor image for your brand.
Strong Reviews
You may not be able to get reviews for each individual security guard you hire. However, you can look into their company or agency's reviews to get an idea of what to expect. While no company has entirely positive reviews, the one you choose should feature a lot more positives than negatives. If you're reading reviews online, take a look at how the company responds to those posting them. If their responses are balanced and helpful rather than defensive, there's a strong chance they'll provide you with the excellent customer service you're seeking.
Finally, make sure you always give your security guards a thorough brief so they can complete the job to the best of their ability.
