I learned a long time ago that the security guard business is not the same as law enforcement. If you attempt to run your security guard business as a quasi-law enforcement agency, your results will be less than optimal. Although both have similar goals, they are two completely different types of organizations.
When my father and I started our security guard company, the majority of my experience had been in sales and marketing. My father, on the other hand, was a seasoned law enforcement officer with more than 25 years of experience. I thought with that type of law enforcement background running a security guard business would be a breeze…how wrong I was. Although both institutions are dedicated to protecting people and property, they both perform their duties in completely dissimilar environments.
Let’s take a look at several ways the two enterprises differ. First, the difference in training for security officers and law enforcement officers is night and day. Training for security officers is measured in hours (typically 0 – 40), while training for police officers is measured in weeks (on average 20 – 30). The result of that training produces a substantially different culture, mindset, and level of dedication. Attempting to treat security officers like police officers will lead to low morale and high turnover.
Second, the sources of funding for the two organizations are on opposite ends of the spectrum. For law enforcement agencies, their budgets typically depend on allocations from their local government. Security guard agencies, on the other hand, depend on being able to win contracts which help sustain and grow their business. The ability to go into the marketplace and solicit contracts is vital for all security guard companies.
Third, the way that each of these institutions interacts with their customers is markedly different. Police and other law enforcement personnel are not expected to constantly engage with their customers, who are the citizens within their jurisdiction. While on the other hand, security guard businesses must encourage their officers to be highly engaged with their customers. If their security officers are not personable and approachable, the security guard company risks losing their customers and contracts.
My father and I learned that a security guard business can not be treated like a law enforcement agency. Although some customers may believe that having a law enforcement background makes for good security service, one has very little to do with the other. We learned that lesson and many others on the way to building a successful business, many of which were learned through trial and error. But there were also long hours spent taking classes, reading articles, and devouring books that focused on building a successful business. I have distilled my library down to seven books that I would encourage any security guard industry professional to read. They each in their own way taught me some very valuable lessons, some have been mentioned in previous articles and some are new.