CONTRACT SECURITY AGENCIES

QUALIFYING AND EMPLOYING

This account developed into a showplace for security with the officers there becoming almost snobbish toward their counterparts assigned to other accounts.  Because of the client attitude and, of course, the contract service supervision, these officers reported for work with a military bearing with pressed uniforms and spit-shined shoes.  Months later they properly responded to a fire which would have otherwise destroyed the facility.

The client representative should avoid giving verbal instructions directly to officers and should endeavor to communicate only with the security company's management in regard to any changes in procedures, scheduling, and similar matters.  The client representative's direct contact with the guards on the post should be minimal in most situations.

There should be no more than three client representatives with the authority to change security procedures, and it should be made clear to all that the security service management, as well as the officers on the post, have no authority to change the regular security routine or follow any direct orders of any proprietary managers other than the three designated with such authority.

There have been many cases where dishonest proprietary supervisors have temporarily relocated security officers or assigned them to handle some errand in order to clear the way for the removal of stolen merchandise.  In a situation involving a quality contractor and a supportive client, this exposure is eliminated.