How To File a Complaint Against a California Security Guard Company

If you are a security guard works for security guard company or a client of a security guard company, there are several compliance issues you should be aware of:

1. All security officers must hold valid a guard card. Almost all states require security guards to pass a criminal background check and to be legally licensed. Often the licensing process requires guards to have Powers to Arrest training. Any guard who doesn't know the correct procedures to properly arrest and/or detain a suspect can be a major liability risk if too much force is used or there happens to be an injury. For this reason, it is important to make sure all security guards are adequately trained and licensed.
2. All security guards should be properly uniformed. Note: some States require that all security guards must have a patch that reveals the company they work for.
3. Security guard companies not paying overtime.
4. Security guard companies not allowing officers to take breaks.
5. Security guard companies not being licensed. This can easily be checked with whatever agency regulates security guard companies in your State.
6. Security guard companies not carrying general liability insurance.
7. Security guard companies not paying workman's compensation insurance. Many guard companies will try to skirt paying workman’s comp insurance by claiming that their guards are either part time employees or independent contractors. Very rarely though is this the case as the rules for making such claims can be very strict in many States. 

If you have a grievance with a security guard company, there are several ways to file a complaint. The easiest way is by contacting the State agency that regulates labor laws or security guard licensing. In California, You can call the Department of Consumer Affairs hotline number at 1-800-952-5210 and they will mail you a complaint form. You can also fill out a complaint form online in California by visiting the BSIS website. Lastly, local call resolution centers can be found in Sacramento, Hayward, El Monte and Riverside.
 
If a security guard company is not complying with state law or you feel as though they may be taking advantage of you or their staff, you can also consider filing an anonymous tip. In California, The Bureau of Investigative Services will look into the matter on your behalf and assist you in filing, and even resolving, many issues you may be having with a guard company.

You must be patient though. Due to budget cuts there can be backlogs and it sometimes can takes a while for the actual complaint to be looked into.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 11:57 pm and is filed under California Guard Card, Security Guard Card, Security Guard Jobs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.