Guides

Every private security company in California must hold a Private Patrol Operator (PPO) license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Ask for the license number, then confirm it is current on the state's free license search. The company's name, address and license number should also appear in its advertising.

Every security officer must hold a BSIS Security Guard Registration, often called a guard card, and carry it on duty. Armed officers also need a BSIS Firearms Permit. You can check any officer by name or registration number using the same license search.

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability, workers' compensation and commercial auto coverage, and ask to be named as an additional insured. A company without workers' compensation can expose you to claims if an officer is hurt on your property.

California requires 40 hours of security officer training plus 8 hours of continuing education each year. Strong companies add site-specific onboarding, de-escalation training and training for your industry, such as healthcare or hospitality.

Ask how often supervisors visit your site, who answers the phone at 3 a.m., and who your day-to-day contact will be.

Look for GPS-tracked patrols, checkpoint scans, daily activity reports and real-time incident alerts. Ask to see a sample report before you sign.

Read the length of the agreement, cancellation terms, rate increases and billing for overtime and holidays. A clear, itemized proposal is a good sign.

Ask how the company investigates concerns about its officers. A professional company welcomes accountability and explains its process openly.

Shepherd answers all eight questions in writing as part of every free site assessment.

Unarmed officers deter crime through a visible, professional presence. They control access, patrol, assist visitors, respond to incidents and document everything. Because they are approachable, they suit environments where people need to feel welcome: hospitals, hotels, offices, schools and residential communities. For most properties, unarmed officers plus a strong reporting system provide the right level of protection.

Armed coverage may be appropriate where a professional assessment finds elevated risk, for example:

• Sites that handle cash or high-value goods
• Locations with a history of violent incidents
• High-risk executive or VIP assignments
• Sites where armed coverage is required by a client contract or regulator

• Licensing: In California, armed officers need a BSIS Firearms Permit in addition to their guard card, plus ongoing requalification.
• Cost: Armed officers command higher pay rates, so hourly costs are higher.
• Insurance and liability: Armed coverage can raise insurance requirements and liability exposure. Check with your insurer.
• Atmosphere: Visible firearms can make some visitors uneasy, which matters in healthcare, hospitality and schools.

Many clients combine unarmed on-site officers with armed mobile patrol response, or use armed coverage only during high-risk hours. The right answer comes from an honest assessment of your property, not a default.

Request a free site assessment and Shepherd will recommend the right level of coverage in writing.

A patrol officer in a marked vehicle visits several properties during a shift, checking each one on a randomized schedule. Typical tasks include perimeter and building checks, lock-ups and unlocks, parking enforcement and alarm response. Because the cost is shared across properties, mobile patrol is far less expensive than a full-time officer.

Best for: office parks and retail centers after hours, HOAs, vacant properties, construction sites and warehouses that need regular attention but not constant presence.

An on-site officer stays at your property for the entire shift. They control access, greet visitors, monitor activity and respond immediately to anything that happens.

Best for: hospitals, hotels, busy lobbies, events, and any site where people need help or access must be controlled at all times.

• Does someone need to be present every minute? Choose on-site coverage.
• Is the main risk after hours, when the property is empty? Mobile patrol is often enough.
• Are there several properties nearby? A shared patrol route can cover them all.
• Is the budget tight? Start with mobile patrol and alarm response, then add on-site hours where incidents show a need.

A common approach is an on-site officer during business hours and mobile patrols overnight, or an on-site officer at your highest-risk location with patrols covering the rest. Whatever you choose, insist on GPS-verified patrols and daily reports so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Talk to Shepherd about the right mix for your property.