Benefits of Security Guards Checking

• It authenticates the honesty of the person- Companies often cross-examine the data put on the resume to ensure that the potential candidate did not lie about the information and qualifications submitted at the time of appointment.
• It safeguards Companies from lawsuits- If a convicted criminal gets hired by a Company knowingly or unknowingly, then the guard’s previous history could be exposed, in case any unfortunate or bad incident takes place and the respective Company can be accused and charged with legal consequences.
• It ensures feasible insurance claims- If a Company hires a guard who has been previously convicted of theft then the Company is unable to file a claim for stolen assets. A background screening can uncover a great deal about the potential candidate. Generally, the Guard is expected to be produced to a Background Verification twice. Once, before the State issues a Guard Card and next, before a Company hires the Guard.
• State-mandated Checks While some States permit justifying circumstances, most of the other States do not offer the position of a Security Guard if there is a criminal record against the person.
• Employer Checks In order to make sure the Security Guards are off the criminal history record, small scale Security Companies rely on the State’s requirements of Background Verification and Licensing for the Security Guards. However, large the scale Security Companies often conduct a more comprehensive checks as they provide focussed and specialized services, such as protected deliveries or Armed Guards. An extensive Background Checks are performed if a particular security post requires serious responsibilities and duties.

Employers often investigate on the following aspects of the potential candidate to be hired as a Security Guard

• Previous addresses-Address Checks The address proof of the candidate is verified, where the agencies visit the place of address and confirm with the local neighbours if it is needed. Address verification is the basic step followed for all Security Guards.
• Previous Employment-Reference Checks The Background Screening Company validates, whether the Security Guard employed by the party is referred by word of mouth or through any Security Agency. At times, it is important that the individual Guard is hired through an Agency who has gone through a thorough employment process and not only through the word of mouth reference.
• Identity Checks- With the increase of the criminal activities happening worldwide, it is crucial to have identity and other important documents verified for the Security Guards before we hire them on the duty. Identity proofs such as, Voter ID, Aadhar Card, Ration Card, Pan Card, Driving License and Passport (if any) are verified thoroughly. This check effectively and immediately validates national ID of a candidate and authenticates information. Any national ID whether it is a Social Security Number (SSN) verification, PAN verification, Aadhaar verification or alike, can be instantly verified to confirm the identity of the candidate.
• Criminal background checks to search for convictions- Criminal and Court Record Checks- Criminal and Court Record Background Verification is must for the Security Guards, as the person who is about to be employed must be authentic and trustworthy. If the person who has been hired has been involved in any misconduct or wrongdoings then the family or the Organization who has hired him/her, suffers a great deal. Hence, a criminal background check is an absolute must to rule out any possibility of illegal history and be certain about the person. Through a Criminal Record checking the trustworthiness of the candidate can be discovered. This check searches national or local jurisdiction for criminal record histories, or a Certificate of Convictions / No Criminal Record, depending on local best practice.

Examples of few incidents that took place due to negligent or inadequate Background Checks:

• June, 2016 – A private security guard posted, allegedly molested an Australian woman, who was then arrested and sent to Tihar Jail by a local Court. October, 2016 – A 10 year old girl was allegedly molested by a 40 year old security guard at a residential complex who was arrested thereafter. October, 2016 – In connection with the murder of celebrity perfumer, a 21 year old security guard was arrested from Bengaluru.
• July, 2022- Two security guards have alleged murdered a bank employee on the premises of Vanshee Citadel apartment in Marathahalli, Bangaluru. They have been arrested and a murder case has been filed against them. They are now in judicial custody. March, 2022- A Private Hospital in Surat detained a 37 year old Security Guard after he allegedly molested a 6 year old girl, whose parents lodged a complaint against him, living in the same complex in Dindoli.
• Such brutal merciless incidents are forcing the government to make Background Checks for Security Guards a mandatory step for Organizations, Firms, Educational Institutions and Residential Associations in the country. Background Screening Services on every individual who are being hired as a Security Guard have become an absolute must to protect ourselves and our valuables from uncertain mishaps. Topmost Background Verification Services in India are even sometimes staffed by former CBI, RAW and Police officials.
• An estimated 8.9 million private security guards and supervisors are employed in over 22,000 Private Security Agencies (PSAs) throughout the country. They serve in a variety of industries as Bank Guards, Personal Security, in Retail Stores and Sporting and Entertainment Events. Incidents associating both armed and unarmed security guards have tainted the aspects of screening and verification and other overlooked issues.

Online/Offline Police Verification Checks for Security Guards:

• Getting the Background Verification checks done for Security Guards working at our place is as challenging as finding them near us. Now we know, Why Security Guard Verification is needed? Under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & System (CCTNS) network, near about 90% police stations across the country have been linked. Therefore, through this network the antecedents of a candidate especially, his/her criminal history or records can be screened and verified instantly.
• Though the usual offline option is available, but people generally look for an online Security Guard Verification option too.
• When we get into the offline option, you often find it quite unmanageable and lengthy:

1. A hard copy of the Police Verification Form or Security Guard Background Check Form needs to be collected from the nearest Police Station Office. It can also be found at the Housing Society’s Admin Office at times. Few cities make the Police Verification Form available online. Generally, the rest of the steps still need to be completed offline.
2. The form needs to be filled out for the Guard including his/her entire detail.
3. After this, the form needs to be submitted physically to the nearest local Police Station or the Security Guard can be asked to do the same.
4. If required, sometimes, the employer needs to attend the P.S. personally, accompanying the Security Guard.
5. If any relevant documents are still pending, the employer needs to revisit the Police Station.
6. After a few days, finally, the employer gets to collect the sanctioned & stamped copy of the Police Verification Form for the Security Guard.

• The truth is that only about 10% of people follow the entire due diligence procedure before hiring the Guard, Driver, Maid, or other blue collar workers at the workplace. On the contrary, rest majority of the people just collect a copy of the potential individual’s ID proof and rely mainly on their references before employing them. This brings forward numerous cases of frauds, criminal offences and unfortunate incidents. Therefore, the actual assurance can only be achieved once the information provided and documents submitted by the potential Security Guard have been verified by implementing professional technique.