Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Security Company:

  
    Security Pros, Inc. has prepared the following checklist of questions (along with our company’s answers), which may help in providing a better understanding of the type of service and quality you should expect from a professional security services firm.

  
      ELEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK & ANSWER:
  1.  Is the company licensed by the Oregon DPSST?
  2.  Does each of the company’s officers have a valid Oregon DPSST Card?
  3.  Can the company provide proof of Worker's Comp. Insurance?
  4.  Can the company provide proof of Commercial Liability Insurance?
  5.  Does the company conduct drug screening tests?
  6.  Does the company pay it's employees legally?
  7.  Can the company prove that the work is being done?
  8.  Does the company provide uniformed, professional officers?
  9.  Does the company drive marked vehicles that do not look like the police?
10.  Is the company stable, with a long-term record? What about references?
11.  Can the company perform at the price quoted?

 


1.Q:  Is the company Licensed by the Oregon DPSST?
     A:  Yes, Security Pros' DPSST company number is 858.    Our Licensed Executive Manager is Brian L. Shawver (PSID: 23622).  Additionally, we have two Licensed Supervisory Managers:  Dianna E. Shawver (PSID: 23621) and Ray Rodriguez (PSID: 871).

     The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is responsible for regulating the private security industry in Oregon. Their purpose is to enhance the professionalism and integrity of the industry by setting standards that the industry must meet.  Licensure is required by law for all providers of security services (since 1995) in accordance with ORS 181.870-991.  Information regarding the Private Security Service Providers Act (PSSPA) or the licensure status of a specific security company may be obtained from DPSST by calling them at (503) 378-8531 or www.dpsst.state.or.us


        

2.Q: Does each of the company’s Security Officers have a valid Oregon  DPSST Certification Card?
   A: Yes, we have two DPSST Certified Instructors (with 40 years of combined police experience) on our staff, who certify all of our officers prior to them working. 

     Certification involves an 8-hour classroom training course, an exam, fingerprinting and a full FBI/Oregon State Police criminal background check.  Only those with a clean criminal record and of good moral character are eligible for certification.  Recertification is required every two years.  Non-certified and untrained officers are a threat to public safety and a violation of Oregon law (ORS 181.870-991). Those performing security functions that are uncertified, can receive up to a $618 fine from local police agencies.  Companies employing uncertified officers can be fined up to $1,500 per violation by DPSST.

 

3.Q: Can the company provide proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance?
    A:  Yes, our policy number is 99013 through SAIF. 

     State law requires employers to provide Worker’s Compensation for all employees. If an Officer is injured on your property and the security company does not have proper insurance, you could be liable for all injuries, damages, lost wages, etc. It is a good idea to have the insurance company or local agent to mail or fax the certificate of insurance directly to you for proof of coverage.

 

4.Q: Can the company provide proof of Commercial Liability Insurance?  If so, do they carry an adequate level of coverage?
   A: Yes, our policy number is BSPKG0097301 through BrownYard Group, Inc. / Arch Insurance Company.  Our policy contains specialty coverage specific to security work, such as lost key coverage and errors/omissions, that a general liability policy would not contain.  We carry an aggregate limit of $5,000,000.00 (five million dollars) of coverage.  This is 2.5 times greater than most security companies in our region carry….if they have insurance at all.

     This is a critical consideration when hiring a security provider because many providers are uninsured or underinsured leaving their clients (YOU) exposed to full or partial liability.   Check the amount of coverage. The security company and its Officers are acting as your agent. If the security company is not properly insured you could be held liable for any wrongdoing on their part.  It is also a good idea to have the insurance agent list you as an additional insured "certificate holder" on the security company’s policy and mail/fax the certificate of insurance directly to you.

 

5.Q: Does the company conduct drug screen tests of its employees?
      A: Yes, we conduct pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing of all of our officers as a condition of employment, no exceptions.

 

6.Q:  Does the company pay its employees legally?
   A: Yes, our Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 33-10175XX and our State  of Oregon EIN is 11683XX-8.  We pay significantly above Oregon’s minimum hourly wage, we withhold and match all taxes required by law and we use a third party payroll processing firm (ADP) to prepare payroll and file all payroll tax deposits. Additionally, we employ a full-time payroll/HR manager to maintain compliance with employment laws. 

     An employee, who is working for a company that is not paying in accordance with the law, may indicate that the employee is not eligible to work legally as a security officer because of a criminal background or an illegal immigration status. An employee that is not being paid legally is being taken advantage of by a company willing to disregard the law.  Unfortunately “paying under the table” for security services is a very common practice in our region, especially by those who provide event security.  It is NEVER in your best interest to hire a company with such practices. Do you see the clear connection between a company paying employees illegally as also having NO Worker’s Comp. and NO liability coverage to protect your interests?

 

7.Q:  Can the company provide proof that the work is being done?
   A:    We use an Electronic Verification System (EVS) that records the exact date and time that we were at your location.  This tamper-proof system provides you with verification that we are performing the agreed to services.  Buttons will be positioned at all checkpoint locations (doors, gates, parking lots, buildings, etc.) ensuring that we’ve completed the security work required to fully protect your property….no other security firm in Central Oregon provides you with this level accountability.  You will receive PROOF of the work being done - Total accountability in security by a company protecting over $1,000,000,000.00 (ONE BILLION DOLLARS) in client assets…no one else even comes close!

 


8.Q:  Does the company provide uniformed officers who look professional?
    A: Security at your place of business or an event represents you and your company.   A sharp, professionally-uniformed officer reflects favorably on your business or event.  It has been our repeated experience many times over, that a properly uniformed officer will get a greater degree of respect (and compliance) from those they encounter, than someone “posing” as security with just a tee-shirt or plain clothes on.  Would you have the same confidence in a police officer if they were out of uniform, looked sloppy and were directing you in what to do?  The very same thing applies to security work; we’re in a position of trust and authority in protecting your property.  It’s our strong belief that the uniform helps us to do just that and that’s why we require it.

 

9.Q:  Does the company have reliable, fuel efficient, highly-visible security vehicles that don’t look like police cars?
   A: The marked vehicles a security company puts on patrol are the most visible face of the company, and the image reflected by the clients who hire them. There is a natural tendency to think that a security company’s vehicles should look like police cars, but this absolutely the wrong choice.  Police Departments are actively hostile to security companies trying to pass themselves and their officers off as Police.  In this case, imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. There is an instant adversarial relationship built in to this type of presentation.  Police Departments do not appreciate the comparison, and have made themselves clear on the subject.  Therefore it is much better to develop a professional image, clearly divergent from that of the Police, and cultivate a relationship with them that emphasizes your desire to work with them in cooperation, and not try to be them. The less a security company tries to look like the police, and the more professional a company’s officers present themselves, the more cooperation they can develop with police agencies.  This relationship is vital in protecting your property and it’s one that we work hard to  maintain.  Call your local police department and see which qualified security provider they recommend!

 

10.Q:   Is the company stable and does it have a long-term record of successfully serving the local area?     What about references?
     A:  We are Central Oregon’s largest security services provider, with over 50 certified officers and a proven 16-year track record in business. We are locally owned, professionally managed and our significant payroll dollars are spent right here.  Wouldn't you  feel  more assured dealing with a company that professionally protects over $1,000,000,000.00 (ONE BILLION DOLLARS) in LOCAL client assets every night, has been operating successfully since 1994,  has a real office location (not operating from a residence or out of a PO box), and  has owners that have lived in Central Oregon for over 30 years?  We have more references listed on this website than any other local competitor!

   

11.Q:  Do you believe the company can perform as promised at the price quoted?
     A:  Every legitimate security company has similar costs of doing business: Payroll expenses, office rent, insurance costs, licensing fees, training, recruiting, fuel, vehicle costs, maintenance, phones, taxes and other overhead are just some of the factors, which help determine the price a security company charges for its services.  If a security company charges too low of a price for its services, more than likely, they are not properly licensed, insured, are paying their employees illegally, or worse....not even doing the work for which you are paying.  Costs are being cut somewhere, possibly at the expense of the customer, the employee and/or the service they are providing.   The brief excitement of a cheap price may be lost to the misery of poor quality or big losses, so a little due diligence on your part is highly recommended!


These ideas were developed by and are provided courtesy of Security Pros, Inc.

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