If your charitable organization needs to hire security guard services for crowd control, to protect funds raised during bingo or fundraising programs, or to ensure the safety of program participants, check to make sure you’re hiring licensed guards.
Hiring properly licensed companies reduces the risk of potential liabilities associated with hiring unlicensed firms. Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, licenses and regulates Ohio security guard companies. Licensed firms employ guards that carry firearms, have undergone required training, and have passed background checks. In addition, each guard has a state-issued identification card, and licensed companies carry insurance.
If a charity hires a commissioned police officer for off-duty work, and the nonprofit and the police department have an agreement in place, neither the department nor the officer need to be licensed through the Department of Public Safety. However, if a police officer is working for hire independent of the police department, the officer must be licensed by the Public Safety Department. If police officers are working for a licensed security firm, they do not need to be registered by that security firm unlike non-police security personnel.
Charities and citizens can search for licensed companies on the PISGS website. Questions and concerns can also be directed to the Department of Public Safety at 614-466-4130.