- The Importance of Background Checks for Security Personnel
- Types of Background Checks for Security Guard Applicants
- Steps in the Security Guard Background Check Process
- Hire Trustworthy Professional Security Guards
Many establishments need to maintain safety and protection, which is possible thanks to the vigilance and dedication of security guards. From office buildings and banks to construction sites and concerts with large crowds, security staff help maintain order, protect property, and safeguard people. Security companies must conduct a thorough vetting process with in-depth verifications to ensure that guards have the proper qualifications. This strict procedure helps security firms hire credible security guards they can trust, and ensures that only qualified personnel are sent into the field.
Before hiring guards to protect your property, it is vital to know how background checks are conducted in the security industry. That way, you’ll have a better sense of the caliber and qualifications of the professionals trusted with your team’s safety. There are different types of reports that security applicants must undergo, such as employment history verification, criminal background screening, drug tests and more.
The Importance of Background Checks for Security Personnel
Background checks are essential in the security industry to ensure that only qualified and dependable applicants meet the security guard requirements for safeguarding people, assets and private information. Security personnel must be ready to face critical situations that demand quick, precise action and high integrity. A thorough background check evaluates different factors, helping confirm if they can fulfill their duties professionally.
Furthermore, a security staff’s trustworthiness is paramount. It reassures security companies and employers that they are highly reliable in high-stakes environments, providing clients with the confidence that their safety is in capable hands. Hiring potentially dishonest and irresponsible applicants poses a risk for employers, so background checks help mitigate these issues.
Types of Background Checks for Security Guard Applicants
Security staff undergo different background checks before being hired to guard a location. The specific background checks each guard undergoes correspond with the licensing laws in their state. The screening level is also typically more stringent depending on the job’s responsibilities. For example, armed guards are subject to more thorough screenings than their unarmed counterparts. In general, all security staff applicants submit to a detailed background inspection.
To understand what types of screenings are required, the following are background checks performed on security guards:
1. Criminal Background Check
The criminal history check is a critical aspect of the screening process for applicants. It offers insight into their past, identifying criminal convictions, arrests or charges. These criminal history checks typically cover state, national and local databases. Sometimes, they may even extend to court records, depending on the security role and required clearance. Besides serious felony convictions, security companies and employers review misdemeanors or less severe offenses, including pending or current legal charges.
The following criminal offenses can generally disqualify a candidate from becoming a security guard:
- Robbery
- Assault
- Fraud
- Theft-related offenses
- Domestic violence
- Other violent offenses
For high-security roles, such as positions for federal contracts, criminal record checks may go back as far as 15 years. Other employers may even require a lifetime record. However, since state laws vary, some states place a seven-year time limit on conviction reporting for non-felonious offenses. Despite this restriction, felony convictions may be disclosed for a longer time.
Conducting thorough criminal background screenings helps determine if an applicant’s past behavior might impact their present security role. It helps ensure that a security officer is not likely to risk an organization’s or the public’s safety.
2. Work History Verification
Reviewing an applicant’s previous job and work records helps employers identify concerning patterns, such as unexplained work gaps, frequent job changes and reasons for terminations. This security screening is critical in helping ensure the candidate has relevant experience, is reliable, maintains professional conduct and has the stability required to fulfill a security position.
Employment records are reviewed as far back as seven to 10 years. This provides a comprehensive overview of a candidate’s performance, dependability and loyalty. More demanding security roles may also require more rigorous work history screening.
Reference Checks
Performing reference verification allows employers to learn more about a candidate’s work ethic and character from the perspective of colleagues, supervisors or mentors. By asking specific questions about punctuality, reliability and performance under pressure, employers can better assess whether an applicant is suitable for a security position. If you’re building a career as a security guard, getting a highly positive reference from your previous employer may help lock in a security role.
Moreover, reference verification is a key step in minimizing liability by screening applicants who might pose legal and reputational risks to employers. It confirms a candidate’s work experience on their resume and provides a clearer idea of their ability to handle the responsibilities of a security job.
3. Drug Testing
Drug screening ensures that security guards are not under the influence while on duty, reducing the risk of poor judgment and accidents. Security staff must remain alert and responsive in all situations, especially during critical events that require swift action. Drug use can impair critical thinking and decision-making, fast response and general mobility, which are important skills for security jobs.
Federal regulations, such as President Regan’s Executive Order 12564, require drug testing for employees in positions with a degree of public trust, including national security and law enforcement. However, regulations may vary per state — for example, in states where marijuana use is legal, employers should refer to state laws governing workplace drug testing, as some have placed limits on tests for legal drug use.
Drug tests help security companies and employers maintain safety standards, creating a safe environment for security staff, employees and the rest of their organization.
4. Credit Checks
Security personnel who are specifically tasked to safeguard valuable assets and confidential information are required to undergo credit history screening. Credit reviews evaluate an applicant’s level of financial responsibility, which is a significant indicator of trustworthiness. A strong credit history suggests financial stability, while significant financial struggles may be a sign of potential vulnerabilities in a candidate.
For example, a history of financial mismanagement could indicate greater chances of unethical behavior, such as theft or fraud. Credit history checks enable security companies and employers to remove candidates with the potential for deceit and corruption. Credit reviews help employers assemble more reliable security teams, ensuring private security guards can be trusted with valuable property and information.
Many states require security guard applicants to consent to credit background checks. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the credit information must be relevant to the position. Moreover, if an applicant wasn’t offered the position, employers must show the credit report and explain why the applicant wasn’t qualified.
5. Professional Licensing Verification
Security guard licenses in the U.S. are typically divided into two main types — armed and unarmed licenses. Each type requires distinct training and qualifications, and employers must confirm if an applicant has the appropriate license for the security job. Reliable armed security guards, in particular, must undergo additional firearm training to equip them for high-risk environments.
Furthermore, these licenses need to be renewed periodically. Many states require refresher courses and continuing education to maintain credentials. It’s important to verify if a candidate’s license is renewed in a timely manner.
Ensuring security personnel possess valid, state-issued licenses is important for state regulation compliance. Given how licensing standards vary across states, conducting in-depth research is critical in verifying whether a candidate has a valid, up-to-date license. Employers and security companies must be vigilant in checking if their guards meet state-specific requirements.
Possible Penalties for Non-Compliance
Not following licensing requirements for security companies can result in significant penalties. Businesses or employers that hire unlicensed guards may face costly fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. For example, an Illinois company can be fined $10,000 if they knowingly hire an unlicensed security guard.
In other cases, security personnel may have their license revoked or suspended temporarily, preventing them from working in the field. In more serious cases, unlicensed security personnel who put the public’s safety at risk may incur criminal charges. Penalties vary per state and circumstance, pressing the need for strict compliance.
6. Evaluating Driving Records
Assessing a security guard’s driving history is important, specifically for positions that require vehicle operation. Employers and security companies should perform due diligence by reviewing their driving history for indicators such as accidents, reckless driving or instances of driving under the influence (DUI). A clean driving record suggests that a candidate is likely to follow rules and act more responsibly, reflecting their ability to handle security duties with care.
Here are more reasons why it’s crucial to review driving records:
- Safety concerns: A history of frequent violations and reckless driving can indicate a higher risk of accidents, putting the security guard and the public at risk.
- Legal liabilities: Employing a guard with a poor driving record can expose a company to legal repercussions. A driving record check can reduce this liability.
- Align with job requirements: Many security roles might require driving. Evaluating an applicant’s driving history helps ensure they can safely perform their duties.
Steps in the Security Guard Background Check Process
Conducting proper, in-depth screenings is vital in selecting the right candidate for a security role. This helps ensure security personnel meet the necessary criteria for reliability, safety and professionalism in the security industry.
To help you understand the guard vetting process, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a background check:
1. Develop an Employment Screening Policy
Start by defining the scope of the screening process, including standard background checks such as criminal history, previous employment and reference verification. Consider if you must include other checks, such as credit history or driving records, for the role.
Ensure that the pre-employment screening policy follows relevant federal, state and local laws, including compliance with FCRA and other regulations that apply.
2. Secure Consent From the Applicant
To ensure transparency, inform the candidate about the type of background checks involved. Next, obtain written consent from the candidate before conducting the screening. A valid signature indicating the applicant understands the screening requirements is usually required by the law.
3. Collect and Verify the Applicant’s Information
Gather important personal details, including the applicant’s full name, birthdate, address and social security number. Make sure to verify their details with government-issued identification as proof. Also, check their security licenses and certifications for the role.
4. Conduct a Criminal Background Check
Access national and state criminal databases to check for felony or misdemeanor records. If applicable, you can also review local enforcement records and check against sex offender registries. Advanced criminal history checks will search records in the applicant’s current residence, plus previous areas in which they’ve worked, lived or attended school.
5. Proceed With Employment Verification
Verify past employment details such as job titles, employment dates and reasons for resigning. Perform reference checks to gain insight into the candidate’s character and work ethic.
6. Special Considerations for Security Personnel
Next, perform the following screening considerations that might be relevant for a security role:
- Credit checks: Evaluate financial responsibility to gauge reliability and accountability for roles involving the protection of valuable assets and information.
- Assess driving records: Jobs that require driving, such as patrolling an area or driving an important representative, need thorough driving record checks.
- Drug test: Proper drug screening is often critical in security jobs to ensure guards don’t use addictive substances and are fit for demanding security tasks.
7. Evaluate Results and Make Decisions
Carefully analyze all collected data and pay close attention to criminal history or any unusual details or discrepancies. If a decision is made not to hire based on the background check, notify the candidate and provide a copy of the report. Also, offer clear instructions on how to dispute any inaccuracies.
8. Proper Documentation and Confidentiality
Keep records of all background reports and related documentation to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Finally, safeguard the candidate’s information by maintaining confidentiality and following privacy laws throughout the hiring process.
Hire Trustworthy Professional Security From The Guard Alliance
Need reputable and dependable security staff for commercial properties such as office buildings, banks, warehouses and retail stores? The Guard Alliance provides top-notch security personnel for many businesses throughout the United States. We also offer full-service security for residential complexes, schools, hospitals, hotels and construction sites, including significant events such as concerts and conventions.
All our security guards undergo rigorous background checks, including previous employment screening, criminal history checks, drug tests and personal reference verifications. We hire the best in the field with a track record of trust to protect your property, maintain order and safeguard your peace of mind.
The Guard Alliance tailors services to your needs, so contact us and request a quote today. We provide armed and unarmed security guard services, as well as vehicle patrols. If you need last-minute security for an event, we’re ready to answer your call.
