Dallas Security Guard Services — Officers Who Actually Show Up
A camera records the crime. A guard prevents it. Here's what to look for and what to avoid.
Armed vs Unarmed — When Each Makes Sense
Not every property needs an armed guard. And not every property is safe with an unarmed one. The difference isn't just cost — it's risk assessment.
Unarmed Security Guards — $18–$30/hr
Level II DPS-certified officers. Their job is observation, access control, patrol and reporting. They're the eyes and ears on your property. They deter casual crime through visible presence, document incidents, coordinate with law enforcement and enforce property rules.
Best for: Office buildings, corporate lobbies, HOA communities, retail stores (general deterrence), parking garages, apartment complexes, warehouses (low-risk), hospitals (general areas) and corporate events.
Unarmed doesn't mean unprotected. These officers carry radios, flashlights and often body cameras. They're trained in de-escalation, conflict resolution and emergency procedures. For most commercial properties in Dallas, unarmed security is the right call. The visible presence alone reduces property crime by 50–70% according to industry data.
Armed Security Guards — $25–$45/hr
Level III DPS-licensed officers carrying concealed or open firearms. Additional training in firearms proficiency, use of force protocols and tactical response. These officers are a visible, serious deterrent for high-risk environments.
Best for: Banks and financial institutions, jewelry stores, dispensaries, pharmacies, construction sites (high-value equipment), executive protection, government buildings and properties with documented threats.
Armed security carries significantly higher liability. Your security company's insurance must cover armed operations specifically — general liability alone isn't enough. Officers should carry individual firearms permits and demonstrate regular qualification at the range. Ask for proof. Good companies provide it gladly. Bad companies get defensive when you ask.
In Dallas specifically, armed security demand has grown 35%+ since 2022, driven by construction site equipment theft and retail theft rings. The I-20 and I-35 corridors are particular hotspots where armed presence makes a measurable difference.
What Good Security Guards Actually Do
A security guard isn't a warm body in a chair. At least, they shouldn't be. Here's what a properly trained, properly supervised officer does during a shift:
Patrol routes on schedule. Walking or driving a defined route at randomized intervals. Not sitting at a desk watching their phone. Randomized timing prevents predictable patterns that criminals can plan around.
Access control. Verifying IDs, logging visitors, managing key card systems, checking credentials against authorized lists. The gate doesn't mean anything if the guard waves everyone through.
Incident documentation. Detailed written reports of every incident, no matter how minor. Time, date, location, parties involved, actions taken, outcome. These reports are critical for insurance claims, legal proceedings and pattern identification.
De-escalation. Trained officers resolve confrontations verbally before they become physical. This is arguably the most important skill a guard can have — and the one most often missing from cheap security companies.
Emergency coordination. First call to 911. Crowd management. Building evacuation. First aid. CPR. AED operation. Your guard should be trained for all of these because they'll be the first person on scene before police or fire arrive.
Technology monitoring. Watching camera feeds, responding to alarm triggers, operating access control systems. Guards and technology work together — cameras without a human watching them just record crimes that already happened.
Red Flags When Hiring a Security Company
No DPS license number on their website or marketing. If they're not displaying it prominently, they might not have one. Verify on the Texas DPS Private Security Bureau website.
Rates significantly below market. If unarmed guards are billing under $16/hour, something is wrong. Either they're paying guards minimum wage (and getting minimum-wage effort), skimping on insurance, or cutting corners on training. You get what you pay for.
No backup staffing plan. Ask what happens when an officer calls in sick. If they don't have an answer, your property goes unguarded when someone has the flu.
No supervision structure. Who checks on the guards? How often? If officers are unsupervised for 8–12 hour shifts, performance degrades. Quality companies have field supervisors who make unannounced site visits.
Resistance to providing proof of insurance. A Certificate of Insurance takes 5 minutes to produce. If they won't provide one, they're either uninsured or underinsured. Walk away.
No incident reporting system. If they can't show you sample reports and explain their documentation process, they're not documenting incidents properly. That costs you when you need evidence for an insurance claim or legal action.
How to Calculate Your Guard Staffing Needs
Over-staffing wastes money. Under-staffing creates gaps. Here's a straightforward way to figure out what you actually need:
Step 1: Count your posts. A "post" is a position that needs to be staffed. Main entrance = 1 post. Loading dock = 1 post. Parking garage = 1 post. Each post needs one officer.
Step 2: Define your hours. Do you need coverage 8 hours (business hours only), 16 hours (day and evening), or 24 hours? Each 8-hour block is one shift per post.
Step 3: Factor in patrol. Mobile patrol within the property doesn't require an additional post — it can be incorporated into an existing officer's duties if the property isn't too large. Properties over 100,000 sq ft may need a dedicated patrol officer.
Step 4: Account for breaks and relief. An officer working an 8-hour shift needs breaks. During breaks, the post is uncovered unless you have a relief officer. For critical posts (main entrance, loading dock), budget for relief coverage.
Example: An office building with one main entrance, needing business-hours security (8 hours/day, Mon–Fri). That's 1 post × 1 shift × 5 days = 40 hours/week. At $22/hour for unarmed = $880/week or roughly $3,800/month.
Example: A construction site needing overnight security (6pm–6am, 7 days). That's 1 post × 12 hours × 7 days = 84 hours/week. At $20/hour = $1,680/week or roughly $7,280/month.
Guard Service Questions
What's the difference between Level II and Level III officers?
Level II = unarmed, trained in basic security. Level III = armed, additional firearms and tactical training. Level III costs $7–$15 more per hour. Required for any post where the officer carries a firearm.
Can a security guard detain someone in Texas?
Only for felonies they personally witness. They can ask someone to leave private property and call police if refused. Force must be reasonable and proportional. Proper training in detention procedures is critical to avoid liability.
What should I look for in a security company?
Active DPS license, $1M+ liability insurance, thorough officer background checks, documented training programs, backup staffing plans, clear reporting procedures, and transparent billing. Verify everything. Good companies welcome scrutiny.
How many guards do I need?
Depends on property size, entry points, risk level, and coverage hours. Single-entry office: one guard per shift. Multi-access warehouse: 2–3. Construction site: one for overnight. We determine staffing during your free security assessment.
Do security guards actually reduce crime?
Yes. Visible security reduces property crime by 50–70% at commercial locations. Beyond deterrence, guards provide rapid response, evidence documentation and law enforcement coordination that cameras alone can't deliver.
Get a Guard Service Quote
Tell us your property type, coverage hours, and risk level. Free security assessment within 24 hours.
Guards Who Show Up. Every Shift. Every Time.
One vetted company. One call. Free security assessment.