Hiring the wrong guard is like giving the keys to your life to a stranger. Do the right check and you sleep easy. Skip it and you roll dice with your safety. The good news is that you can spot a pro in the time it takes to sip a coffee. Here is a clear ten minute playbook.
Minute 1 – Look for real paperwork
Ask for a current licence or state registration. The card should show the guard’s full name, photo, and the date it expires. Snap a phone pic and compare the number with the public database in that state or country. If the guard shrugs or says the licence is “on the way,” move on.
Minutes 2 and 3 – Scan for recent training
A licence proves only that the guard passed a basic test once. You want proof of recent skill work.
- Tactical firearms certificate no older than one year
- Medical card at least at the T Triple C level
- Defensive driving or close protection refresher within the last 18 months
If the documents are crisp and current, keep going. If they are faded or old, you have your answer.
Minutes 4 and 5 – Run a quick background search
Type the full legal name into a premium people search site, then cross check with the guard’s birth city. You want zero felony hits, no open civil suits for assault, and no reviews that scream unprofessional. This step catches the rare bad apple faster than any interview.
Minute 6 – Verify insurance
A true professional carries liability cover that protects you if something goes wrong. Ask for the certificate and phone the broker on speaker. “Can you confirm that this insurance is active for personal protection work today?” takes twenty seconds and adds a big layer of comfort.
Minute 7 – Test communication
Share a simple movement plan. “We need to leave the hotel at 0800, pick up at side door, and reach the studio by 0830.” Watch how the guard repeats it back. A pro will confirm the time, route, driver name, and any backup plan. A weak guard will nod without detail or ask fuzzy questions. Clear comms is your early warning sign.
Minute 8 – Check medical readiness
Ask what gear sits in the first line pouch. A serious guard will list items like tourniquet, pressure bandage, gloves, and shears with zero pause. Ask when each item expires. If the answer is close and clear, you are still in safe territory. If the guard opens the pouch and the supplies look dusty, exit the deal.
Minute 9 – Review past client list
You do not need names if confidentiality blocks them. You need categories. “I worked four years for a tech founder, two for a touring artist, and three for a royal.” Ask for a contact you can call in the next hour. One solid reference call changes the whole game.
Minute 10 – Judge fit and attitude
Do a final look. Is the guard at ease, alert, and dressed for your level of formality? Does the guard keep eye contact with you while still scanning the room? Do you feel calm standing next to this person? Trust that feeling. A true professional leaves you relaxed, not tense.
Wrap up
The steps above take ten minutes yet cover licence, training, history, and soft skills. You do not need spy tools, only a phone and a clear list. Use it the next time someone hands you a glossy resume and says they are ready to protect you. You will end the call with either strong confidence or a fast pass to the next candidate. Your safety is worth the ten minute check every single time.
