Hiring private security guards to ensure extra safety and security has become a norm in the major cities of Pakistan over the past decade. But entrusting an individual with the protection of your property is a crucial decision, one that requires careful consideration. Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a security guard: Who am I looking for? What sort of skills should a security guard possess? Where do I find a reliable person?
We understand finding the answers to these questions can be a little too intense and nerve wracking. But don’t fret; this guide will help you out.
Hiring a Security Guard: Factors You Need to Consider:
Granted, security equipment can help keep your home safe, but technology can easily be deceived or tampered with. Hiring a security guard, therefore, helps ensure extra protection of your property.
The following factors will help make you an informed decision:
Who Should You Hire?
This is probably the first question that pops in one’s head while hiring a security guard. The first step to start the hiring process should be identifying your needs and what do you need to hire the guard for. If you are hiring for the office or business setup and require more than one guards, searching for firms for private security for hire and vetting them would be the best possible way. Visiting All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA) website can prove to be useful to guide you to find a reputable and reliable security agency and even address your concerns regarding the agency.
The other case can be requiring guards for house or personal detail. Opting a relatively smaller agency is usually advisable so that the family can coordinate with higher-ups of that firm developing a personal bond. Bigger companies are inclined towards working with businesses and people who require relatively more guards and have a higher budget.
Since the security business in Pakistan is still growing and far from ideal, people also prefer asking friends and family for references who can be trusted and know the job as well. Since, the guard is someone you rely on to protect you from incidents like break-ins, thefts and threats so developing the elements of trust and respect are very important.
How To Check Reliability
Communication is key to develop a better understanding of anything. During the hiring process of the agency or the guard, have a detailed discussion with the concerned person and ask questions. Be open about your concerns and limitations and also ask them questions that will help you clarify your doubts. For example:
- If the guard has relevant experience for the post they’re being hired (for business, house, personal detail). If you are hiring the agency, then ask them about the guard’s experience and have a one on one chat with them.
- What are their limitations, personal and religious views? You should also confirm if they can guard a family that has pets which can be issue in some cases
- Ask questions to understand their attitude and temperament e.g. if you face a problem at work, what is the first thing you would do? What steps do you take to remain calm under pressure?
- Always check the background of a firm as well as the guard. To check the background of a firm you can ask around or ask for referrals from existing or previous clients. If a company can’t provide basic credentials for an employee, that can be a major red flag. Essential documents include a copy of CNIC, a police clearance certificate, proof of firearm training and drug tests.
Activeness And Punctuality
What to look for when hiring a security guard is one of the many questions that pops up in one’s mind. Guarding someone or a place is not an easy job and the one doing it must be active and alert at all times. The guards with armed forces backgrounds are preferred because of their punctual routine and activeness.
Important things like work hours and days should be decided beforehand. The timings should not be more than 10-12 hours providing them ample time to relax afterwards and be prepared for the next day.
It is highly important that the guard, if hired for residence, must have a comfortable chair and a designated post where they can sit. It should not be an uncomfortable stool because that would be tiring for a longer shift. To ensure punctuality, it’s recommended you hire someone who lives nearby, in order to minimize commute time.
A few things must be discussed with the guard beforehand like how much leaves they require in a year and if the security company will provide replacement during their absence.
Personal Details
One of the points to consider while hiring a security guard in Pakistan is the age of the employee, in light of local customs and traditions.
The guard on your personal detail must be responsible, excellent at their job with no margin of error. Their skills and past experience of at least 5-7 year will speak better about them. Person on the personal detail must know how to drive so that it’s easy to take them with you even if the driver is not available. Proficiency with small arms is also important because a pistol is handier as compared to a shotgun. The age, as the job description itself suggests, must be about 35 and below 45.
Guards For Businesses
There is a lot of flexibility in the age of guards for business premises. You will find guards of almost every age outside banks and other buildings.
Salary
The average salary of security guards might vary from city to city, business to business and house to house. Hiring a retired armed forces guard can be a bit costly as compared to the civilian one and it completely depends upon the tasks they are expected to do. One must ensure that the guard’s take home salary is better than the minimum wage rate of the country. This will minimize the possibility of guards being intimidated or tempted to commit any sort of crime on the premises.
Dos And Don’ts of Hiring A Security Guard
There are a number of things that one needs to avoid especially after hiring a guard for residence. A proper instruction manual of ‘dos and don’ts’ must be provided to the guard in the language they best understand. This will also serve as a job description for their role.
Make sure that they know friends and family by face as well as names so that no one disguises and enters premises. Ensure that the weapon they are provided always has its safety on and handled with great care. Any misuse of the firearm can not only cause inconvenience but can result in serious and fatal damages. The weapon must always be kept at a safe place (if not carrying) so that its not within the reach of children or any other person not allowed to use it.
The duties of a guard normally don’t include getting groceries or watching cars but a lot of households require that of their employees. However, please note that extra responsibilities can distract the individual from their principal job and result in security lapses.
Speaking of security lapses, strictly stick professional discussions around your household staff. Don’t burden them with any personal information as that can be detrimental to both you and your employees in case of an unfortunate situation.
Being your first line of defence, it is important to treat them well with respect and professionalism.
To know more about improving the security of your house, stay connected to Zameen Blog, the country’s best real estate blog.
