Hiring professional security to protect your establishment from unruly customers and crime is always a great idea, but what do you need to look for in a security firm? When placing your trust in someone else to protect your bar or restaurant, it is important to hire the right people. A lot of security firms exist but not all will be the right fit. Having worked in law enforcement for over 25 years and now as CEO of LionHeart Security Services, here are some questions you must always ask security firms before hiring one.
Industry Experience and References
The security company you hire for your establishment needs to have the knowledge and experience to work in your industry, and the processes in place to keep your business, employees, and customers safe. Ask about other similar businesses they have served. Ask how long they have been in business.
When interviewing security firms, you must ask for ample references. Speak to other restaurateurs and business owners in your area about their experiences with different security guard firms before choosing one for your restaurant.
Proper Licensing
During the interview process check if the security firm is legally licensed in your state. State licensed firms ensure you are hiring professionals capable of protecting your patrons, employees, and your property. When asking about licensing, be sure the overall security firm has the proper licensing not just individual guards.
Emergency Response
Having the proper procedures in place to handle someone trying to break into your property or a medical emergency is important when it comes to patrons and employees' safety and getting law enforcement on the scene as fast as possible.
The security firm’s strategy must include security equipment, responsibility, and response time. Having a well-planned process in case of an emergency will put your mind at ease and reduce damages to the business. These procedures must include protecting employees and patrons from dangerous situations, calling law enforcement or medics, escorting people from the area, and being able to provide important information to the police.
De-escalation Capabilities
Always ask the security firm about their de-escalation procedures. De-escalation is key when a situation with a patron arises where they are getting out of control. These procedures help calm the situation and keep your other customers and staff safe.
A three-step de-escalation process is often used to calm situations. The three-step process involves accessing the situation, adapting to the state of the situation, and attending to the situation. Training your existing staff in these techniques is another great way to help de-escalate situations if one occurs. Updated de-escalation training must occur on a regular basis and held yearly to ensure all employees know how to give the best customer service, even when dealing with unruly customers.
Professional Training
During the interview process with a security firm, ask if their guards received professional training and have their security guard cards so you know they have the experience needed to do the job the right way. Ask if the guards have training with firearms. Do they know how to perform a perimeter search? How do they deal with guests who have had too many drinks getting out of line? Professionally trained guards will be able to perform these tasks and have the proper certifications to prove it.
Security Guard Payment
This may seem like an odd question at first to ask another business owner, but it is an important one to keep in mind. Ask about the security guard’s compensation. By asking this question, you will be able to tell how motivated they are in doing their job the right way. A guard hired at minimum wage might not do the job as well as someone making substantially more. This isn’t always the case, but as in many jobs, the more compensation a person receives, the more motivated they will be to perform their job well.
When hiring a security firm to protect your bar or restaurant, these guidelines are a good place to start. If you follow these steps during the interviewing process, you will be able to make a better-informed decision about a firm who will be responsible in keeping your property, employees, and customer safe.