How do I review a security guard company’s incident report records?
Ask for a sample of incident reports across several sites and seasons of the year, then look at how complete, timely and consistent they are, who reviews them, what follow-up the client received, and whether any led to a complaint or claim.
Start by asking how reports are written, stored and reviewed. Are they filled out on paper or on a device, and who reads them afterward? Ask to see a spread of reports rather than the cleanest ones: quiet nights, serious events, and cases involving injury or police. Client names may need to be hidden at first, so agree on how to share them under confidentiality.
Read for quality. Are the details clear, such as time, place, who was involved and what the guard did? Are the reports consistent among guards, or does the writing vary wildly? Good reports are fast, factual and free of guesses. Poor ones are vague, late or missing, and they can cause trouble if a dispute follows.
Then follow the trail. After a serious report, who called the client, and what changed? Ask for any complaint, claim or insurer notice, and how it was settled. Your lawyer should review those, and your insurance adviser can say whether the coverage fits the pattern. Look also at whether a supervisor spot-checks the reports, since that is a sign of discipline in the whole operation. Ask who may see the reports besides the company, and how long they are kept, so nothing surprises you later.
Key takeaways
- Request a spread of reports, not a hand-picked set.
- Read for completeness, timing and consistency among guards.
- Trace what happened after serious incidents, including claims.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
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