There are many private security companies on the market, but how do you recognize if a company is trustworthy? This is a frequently asked question among people who need to hire surveillance services. Either because the contractor has little experience or because he has had a bad experience with other companies in the sector security guard service.
Leaving your company in the hands of a company with no track record can bring you many problems. On the one hand, the guard handles classified information. If that information falls into the wrong hands, both you and company personnel may be at risk. For this reason it is important to hire a company with a proven track record.
On the other hand, the security guard carries out activities to prevent incidents. A poorly trained guard will not be able to act correctly in a certain situation. Only a properly trained guard will have the tools to respond optimally. For these reasons, we present the aspects that you should take into account to hire the ideal security company.
How to determine which private security companies are trustworthy?
There are key aspects that can tell you which private security companies are reliable, the best being that you yourself can verify if they comply with the essential requirements issued by the National Government in order to avoid problems in the future.
In the following sections, you can find the aspects to take into account when hiring a security company .
What should you do before hiring a security company?
Check if the company has an operating license
Any company that is dedicated to private security and surveillance must have an operating license. This license is a permit granted by the Colombian state to validate the operation of said companies.
This permit is issued by the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security and it is essential that every company in this sector possess the license. A company that does not have this permit cannot operate, since it fails to comply with the laws. Therefore, it is necessary to verify that the company to be hired has this permit.
Now, how do you know which private security companies have an operating license? It’s very simple, visit the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security page and look for the ‘Surveillance and Private Security Sector’ section. Then you must select the ‘Authorized Services’ option. Depending on the category you choose, you can download a PDF file, you will find information such as:
NIT.
Business name.
Acronym.
Methods used.
Company address.
Phone.
Legal representative.
License resolution number.
Due date.
Before requesting a quote for a surveillance service, it is essential that you verify if that company has an operating license. If you do not have said license, under no circumstances sign a contract with that company.
Know the personnel selection process
It is essential to know how the security company selects its guards . Since the key is to select the ideal candidate for the position. To do this, there are companies that use resources such as psychographic tests or interviews to determine if a candidate is suitable for the position.
Another feature to consider is candidate data verification. Check that the candidate does not have a judicial record and verify that the data provided by the candidate is real.
The guard must have presence and a good personal image that conveys confidence and security. He must also address the public in an appropriate and respectful manner, using the appropriate words to give instructions to those who need it. Knowing how a company selects its staff will give you an idea of who you are dealing with.
Know how and where you train your staff
A guard or escort are top-level professionals who must receive training and training on a constant basis. This is necessary so that the security guard knows how to respond to various situations that arise in the work area.
Surveillance companies are required by law to train their staff . Some companies train their workers on their own. However, most companies send their guards to a training school certified by the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security .
Now how do you know which training schools are? To do this we must enter the page of the ‘Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security’. Later enter the ‘Training Schools’ category. In this category you will find the address of the training centers that are certified.
A surveillance company must present all documents and certificates of its personnel. You can check online if the schools that issue the certificates are endorsed by the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security.
Uniform your security guards
All private security companies must have uniforms that differentiate them from other security forces. The uniform must feature the security company’s shield, on the left side of the uniform, at heart level. However, on the right side it will present the insignia with the last name of the current guard. So that it can be identified.
It is unacceptable for security personnel to work without uniform . This is a clear sign of informality and that the company is not professional. So you should be careful with this anomaly.
Carry identification card
All security personnel must carry an identification badge . It is issued by the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security and must have these specifications:
Name or acronym.
Logo.
NIT.
Address.
Data of the guard or escort.
ID of the guard or escort.
Photo of the guard or escort.
This credential is mandatory for use while the security guard is on duty. This credential must be placed in a visible place , since it allows the security guard to be identified by the personnel who work within the company.
Investigate if the company pays life insurance for its staff
According to article 5 of Law 1920 (vigilante law) , each security and surveillance company must take out life insurance for its personnel. No guard should work without being insured. This goes against what the law states.
Demand from the company you want to hire all the necessary documentation to prove that its guards are insured. This provision is mandatory and the law, in this case, protects the guards on duty. Avoid at all times working with companies that work outside the law.