Hiring a professional security guard service for your school is a wise decision. In addition to enhancing physical security, guards help in conflict resolution, deter substance abuse by learners, provide on-call emergency assistance, instill a sense of discipline among students and assist school staff.
Considering the important role that security guards play, you can’t entrust these responsibilities to just anyone. However, with the numerous options available, selecting the right security company for your school can be challenging. So how can you ensure you find the best candidate for the job? Here are a few things to look for as you go about your search.
Top Considerations When Hiring Security Guards for Your School
Agent Training
To effectively safeguard students, staff and property, a security guard for schools should have the appropriate education, expertise and experience. The training that guards go through has a huge impact on the quality of security you will receive. Qualified security guards have specialized training in critical areas such as access control, surveillance, first aid, emergency response and conflict resolution. They should also undergo refresher training to ensure they are equipped to deal with changing circumstances.
Emergency Response Planning
Emergencies can happen when you least expect them. To ensure you are always prepared for the unexpected, make sure the security guards you hire for your school have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place. This enables you to take swift action during a critical event, something that enhances safety, minimizes the impact of the crisis and facilitates recovery from the event.
Armed vs Unarmed Options
One of the most important decisions you have to make is whether to hire armed or unarmed security guards. Just as the name suggests, unarmed security guards are not licensed to carry firearms on the job. Compared to armed guards, unarmed security personnel require less training and usually cost less to hire. These are an effective option in low-risk environments, but if you feel your school needs an extra level of protection, you may want an armed guard. The decision you make will ultimately depend on the specific needs of your school.
Industry Specialization
The security needs of a school vary from those of other establishments. For the best services, consider a firm that specializes in your area of need. Security guards from such companies are likely to have the experience and specific skill set required to keep your school safe. Also, the firm will be in a better position to understand your security concerns and provide a tailored security plan.
Reviews and Reputation
When looking for a security firm, you need to find one with a good reputation. A company’s reputation will tell you more about their professionalism, reliability and quality of service. You can check out a company’s reputation by reading online reviews and testimonials, asking them for client references and finding out if they are BBB accredited.
Innovative Technology
Today, technology is more integral to security than ever before. To deal with evolving security threats, the right security guard company will have strong technological capabilities, modern equipment and stay up-to-date with the latest innovations. For instance, CCTV cameras, advanced body cameras, self-defense gear and proper uniforms can help to improve guard preparedness.
Secure Your School With Experienced Security Guards
Are you in need of a professional security guard service for schools? Look no further than David Shield Security, a full-service security and investigation firm with over 60 years of industry experience. We use the latest technology to enhance your school’s security. Contact us to learn more about how our team can help give your school the security it needs.
