Officer Exploitation

I started into the Security industry in 1989, working bars and cantinas in North Houston, as an 18-year-old kid.?Dating myself, I know.?I was a Commissioned Security Officer with a .357 magnum, a can of O.C. spray, a baton, and a single set of handcuffs all strapped around my waist.?I was responsible for maintaining access control into those buildings, searching people for weapons, and keeping the “peace.”?It wasn’t uncommon, at all, to break up fights, right about closing time.?Houston Police Department frequently made my locations in response to disturbances.

In 1989, I was making $9-$10/hour as an armed Officer.?Today, 34-years later, as a company owner, I am getting applicants from some of the largest Security firms who are making $10-$12/hour unarmed, and $15-$17/hour armed.?This doesn’t even come close to keeping up with inflation rates over the years.

In 2023, Security Officers continue to be exploited by companies who are more interested in getting the contract, than promoting the industry and what should be the “profession.”?According to securityinformed.com, there are more than 300+ registered Security firms in Texas.?This may seem like a lot at first glance.?But there are more than 2,000+ Law Enforcement agencies in Texas, in comparison.

To start and own a Security firm in Texas, you are not required to have ANY background in Security, Law Enforcement, or Military.?You simply have to have someone on staff (a company representative) who has at least 3 years of “security related” experience.?Now, that could have been sitting on a construction site, overnight, with zero contact with the public.?Owners are not required to have any “business” background or experience.?The company representative studies occupations code, security code, and takes a state-issued exam.?Once passed, the owners pay fees, get an insurance policy, and they are in business.

The problems with Officer exploitation lie in 2-main-areas:

1.??????The approach to business

2.??????The lack of experience by owners and/or management

Approach to business - Companies of all sizes are too often willing to starve their Officers to get the contract.?The only way to be the lowest bid is to pay the lowest wage.?That’s just the way it works.?Rather than work to promote higher wages, backed by higher credentialing, companies are fighting over quotes and continually undercutting their competition.?There is no unity amongst companies in the industry. Companies are even allowing the clients to determine their margins, providing customers with a complete breakdown of their bill-rates.?This is like calling out the Chef at a restaurant and negotiating your meal, based upon what the restaurant pays for the steak, staffing, utilities, rent, etc.?It is unprofessional and is not typical of any-other-industry.

The lack of experience in a company - This often results in poorly structured service contracts.?We are seeing unarmed Officers working high-crime, government subsidized apartments, financial institutions, and other high-liability settings.?With all too many Security companies, the safety of the Officers often plays a secondary consideration to whatever it takes to win the contract. There are countless articles on the sheer number of assaults on Security Officers throughout the U.S.

Clients have “the power” within their hands!?You, as a prospective Client, have the power to dramatically impact the industry over time.?How??By a few simple “key” strategies in your approach to seeking out a Security service provider:

1.??????STOP going with the lowest bid.?This almost always results in high turnover of Officers, poor performance, minimal management of the account, and headaches overall.?Out of that “lowest quote,” the company has to cover ? of the employee taxes, uniforms, equipment, paid time off, employee benefits, the ridiculous costs of insurance, licensing, and still turn a profit.?I continually speak with prospective Clients who, when surveyed, state the reasons they are changing Security companies are “continual turnover, poor performance, lack of management, and pricing.”?They feel they can get better results at an even lower price.?Unfortunately, in the “service” industry, that is almost never the case.?A good rule-of-thumb is to choose the “middle ground” in price, when considering a service-oriented quote.

2.??????Seek Officer credentials.?Not all Security firms are “the same.”?Many companies simply require the minimum, state mandated training of/for their Officers.?There are companies (a few) out there who train above-and-beyond the state requirements, setting themselves apart from their competitors, and providing Offices who know what they are doing and will actually impact ?the sites they are assigned to.?Higher training equals lower liability for the company, as well as for you, the Client.?It matters.?You have a right to know Officer certifications, training, and what makes the company you are looking at “different” than “the rest.”

3.??????Seek Management credentials.?As previously explained, owning a Security firm does NOT make you an “expert” by proxy.?You have a right to know the credentialing and experience behind the company you are considering services through.?Any company representative who gives you a quote for service (s) without any type of assessment or determining your needs; this should raise a “red flag.”?There is more to a Security service than throwing a person into a uniform, positioning them at your site, and sending you an invoice.?The service should be structured after a full site assessment and review.?You should be given a report outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your site, as well as recommendations for improvement.

How can you (as a client) help stop “Officer exploitation?”?We’ve all heard the phrase, “Supply and demand.”?I’ll put a twist on it – “Demand a better supply.”?Seek “better” over “cheaper,” or the cycle will never, ever, ever change.

... article provided by Tony Skinner, founder of Op6