Security Guard Services FAQ

Freedom Defense Services is based in Corona and serves clients across Southern California. We regularly work in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire, and can support multi site clients in other parts of California when needed. For larger programs, we discuss your full footprint and design coverage through our Security Guard Services and California security guard services structure.

We provide a full security guard program that includes Armed Security Guards, Unarmed Security Guards, Mobile Patrol Security Services, and Commercial and Industrial Security Guards. These services support offices, industrial facilities, retail centers, residential communities, healthcare sites, schools, and special events. For planning, incident review, and risk work we also offer the Consulting and Investigations Division and Consulting and Investigative Services.

Yes. Freedom Defense Services operates as a licensed Private Patrol Operator in the State of California. All security officers hold valid BSIS Guard Cards and, for armed roles, BSIS firearm permits. We carry general liability, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto coverage that meets or exceeds typical contract requirements. Details are available during proposal and can be reflected in your licenses, certifications, and insurance documentation when needed.

We start with a structured hiring and screening program that you can review on Selection of Personnel and Hiring Program Strategies. Candidates go through background checks, license verification, interviews, and reference checks. From there, we match guards to your property type through Staffing Your Facility, so an officer who fits an industrial yard is not placed blindly into a residential lobby, and the other way around.

Every officer completes state required BSIS training plus our internal curriculum, described on Training Format and Curriculum. Topics include California law for private security, patrol and observation, report writing, de escalation, emergency response, and customer contact. After that, each officer receives Site Specific Training & Post Orders at your property, so they know your layout, your rules, and your expectations before they work alone.

For many accounts, especially higher risk or high visibility sites, clients like to be involved in final selection. We can provide guard profiles, arrange interviews, or set meet and greet visits ahead of assignment. These preferences become part of your Program Management plan so that new placements follow the same pattern.

Yes. Officers wear uniforms described on the Equipment page, with clear company identification and name badges. For some properties we use a softer look that fits a corporate or hospitality setting. For others, we use a more traditional appearance suited to industrial and outdoor work. Identification and licensing are always available for inspection.

The decision comes down to risk, not just preference. We review your incident history, the value and nature of what you protect, neighborhood crime patterns, and insurance requirements. Many properties start with Unarmed Security Guards and add Armed Security Guards at select posts or during higher risk hours if needed. This planning is part of Staffing Your Facility and, where helpful, draws on the Consulting and Investigations Division.

Fixed guards stay at one post, such as a lobby, gate, or reception desk, and may also patrol inside a single building. Mobile Patrol Security Services use marked vehicles to cover larger areas, multiple buildings, or several nearby properties. Patrol officers drive and walk routes, check doors and gates, and respond to alarms. Many clients use both: fixed officers for steady coverage, mobile patrol for broad sweeps and after hours checks.

Yes, if the sites are close enough and the risk level supports shared coverage. We often design routes where one vehicle patrols several retail pads, small offices, or HOA communities in the same area. For larger warehouses, industrial yards, or complex campuses, a patrol unit may focus on a single property. This is planned through Staffing Your Facility and overseen through Program Management.

We serve a wide range of locations listed on our Industries Served content, including office buildings, corporate campuses, industrial and warehouse sites, logistics hubs, retail centers, shopping malls, mixed use properties, residential and HOA communities, healthcare facilities, schools, and special events. Each sector has different needs, so we write post orders that fit your environment rather than using one script everywhere.

Yes. Many of our clients operate warehouses, manufacturing plants, truck yards, and distribution centers in the Inland Empire and other industrial markets. Our Commercial and Industrial Security Guards content explains more about how we handle gates, yards, docks, and high value inventory in those settings.

We work with apartment communities, gated neighborhoods, and master planned developments in several Southern California counties. Services can include gate officers, roving vehicle patrol, amenity checks, parking control, and support for house rules. These programs often mix unarmed officers, Mobile Patrol Security Services, and tailored post orders.

Rates vary based on post type, hours, location, and risk level. Armed officers cost more than unarmed guards. Mobile patrol is priced differently than a fixed post. As a general range, California unarmed rates are higher than in many other states because of wage, license, and insurance costs. The best way to get accurate pricing is to request a quote with details about your property, schedule, and risk concerns so we can provide a clear proposal.

Some schedules, such as overnight shifts or certain holidays, carry different rates due to staffing and labor rules. We explain these details clearly in our proposals so you can compare options. If you are flexible on hours or staffing levels, we can discuss ways to keep your budget in line while still keeping your property protected.

There is usually a minimum for ongoing contracts, and a smaller minimum for short term or event work. For example, a 24/7 post will be structured differently from a part time lobby guard or a few weekly mobile patrol visits. When we talk through your needs, we explain where these thresholds sit so you can decide what level of coverage makes sense.

Yes. We can provide temporary coverage for projects, construction, special events, or short notice needs such as fire watch and emergency conditions. Temporary work connects with Staffing Your Facility and the service descriptions under Security Guard Services.

Guards complete daily activity reports and incident reports for your property. Depending on your setup, these reports may be written, digital, or part of a guard tour system. Program Management reviews report quality and can also arrange summary emails or regular review meetings. For larger accounts, we can include key metrics, incident trends, and recommendations.

Site leads, field supervisors, and operations managers all play a part. Supervisors conduct visits, check uniforms and performance, review reports, and respond to client feedback. For staffing details, see Program Management and Staffing Your Facility. We want you to know that someone is responsible for performance beyond the officer at your front door.

Yes. Guards are trained to support your emergency plans and to work with building management during fire alarms, evacuations, medical calls, and other incidents. If you want to improve plans or run drills, our Consulting and Investigations Division can review your procedures, then we align guard training with those results.

Security officers are not police. Their role is to observe, deter, report, and respond within private security limits. When a crime is in progress or a serious threat appears, guards contact local law enforcement and provide clear information. Over time, many sites see patrol officers or deputies become familiar with the property and the guards who work there, which helps response and coordination.

Yes. Many clients bring Freedom Defense Services in for a second opinion before they change vendors. Our consultants can review your current staffing, post orders, incident history, and equipment. This work ties into Consulting and Investigative Services and can be done even if you decide to stay with your current provider.

Start up normally includes a site visit, review of your current program, and a planning session that feeds into Staffing Your Facility. We then create post orders, select guards, schedule training, and set a start date. For multi site accounts, we may phase in locations so that change is controlled and your operations are not disrupted.

Timing depends on how many posts you need, the level of risk, and whether armed officers are involved. Some small unarmed programs can start quickly. Larger, complex, or high risk programs need more time for hiring, training, and coordination. During the proposal stage, we will give you realistic time frames that match your conditions.

Yes. Involving security planning early in a project often saves money and prevents gaps later. Our Consulting and Investigations Division can work with your design, facilities, and operations teams to plan access control, camera coverage, guard posts, and patrol paths before the site opens.