Table of Contents
Step 1: Verify the Company's California PPO License
The California Bureau of Security Investigative Services (BSIS) issues Private Patrol Operator (PPO) licenses to authorized security companies. This is the foundational credential — without it, the company is operating illegally and you have no liability protection from their actions.
- Visit bsis.dca.ca.gov → License Search → Private Patrol Operator
- Search by company name or PPO number
- Verify: Status = "Active," expiration date is future, company name matches
- Stormhammer Security PPO: #121830 — verify it yourself in 60 seconds
- If a company cannot provide their PPO number, do not hire them
Step 2: Verify Individual Guard Card Status
Every individual officer deployed to your property must hold an active BSIS Guard Card. PPO license covers the company — Guard Cards cover each individual officer. Spot-check officer credentials after deployment.
- Request officer Guard Card numbers before first deployment
- Verify each officer at bsis.dca.ca.gov → License Search → Security Guard
- Confirm Guard Card status is "Active" — not expired, suspended, or revoked
- Armed officers must ALSO have active Firearms Qualification Cards
- Re-verify officer credentials annually — cards expire and companies sometimes fail to renew
Step 3: Verify Liability Insurance
California PPO companies are required to maintain minimum liability insurance — but minimum is often not enough. Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming your business as additional insured.
- Request current COI before contract signing
- Minimum California PPO requirement: $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate
- Request your business named as "Additional Insured" on the policy
- Verify the insurer's AM Best rating is A- or better
- Confirm COI is from the current year — request updated COI at contract renewal
Step 4: Verify Workers' Compensation Coverage
Security guards are employees of the security company — their workers' comp coverage is the security company's responsibility. If a security guard is injured on your property and the security company lacks workers' comp, you may be exposed to the claim.
- Request Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance before deployment
- Verify coverage is current and covers all California employees
- Ask specifically: "Does your workers' comp cover officers deployed to our location?"
- Confirm coverage from a licensed California workers' comp carrier
- Update annually — workers' comp lapses are common at smaller security companies
Step 5: Verify the Qualified Manager
California PPO companies must have a licensed Qualified Manager (QM) who has passed BSIS examination and background check. The QM is responsible for the company's compliance. Verify their license separately.
- Request the Qualified Manager's name and QM license number
- Verify QM license at bsis.dca.ca.gov → License Search → Qualified Manager
- Confirm QM license is Active, not expired or suspended
- A company with an expired QM license is potentially out of compliance with BSIS
Step 6: Check References and Incident History
License verification confirms legal compliance — but it doesn't tell you about service quality. Reference checks and review research tell you whether the company's officers are reliable, professional, and actually show up.
- Request 3 references from properties similar to yours in Sacramento
- Ask references specifically about: officer reliability, incident response, reporting quality
- Search for BBB complaints, Google reviews, and Yelp reviews
- Ask: "Has your company had any BSIS disciplinary actions in the past 3 years?"
- Check California DCA enforcement actions at dca.ca.gov
Step 7: Review the Contract for California-Specific Terms
California security contracts have specific requirements and risk areas. Review these before signing.
- Confirm the contract identifies the specific PPO number for the deploying company
- Verify minimum shift lengths and overtime policies comply with California labor law
- Confirm indemnification language: security company should indemnify you for their officer's actions
- Review termination clause: 30-day notice is standard; anything longer requires justification
- Confirm wage rates comply with current California minimum wage and any applicable local ordinances
Conclusion
This 7-step checklist takes about 30 minutes to complete — and it could save you from a six-figure liability exposure if an unlicensed or uninsured security guard causes an incident at your Sacramento property. Stormhammer Security passes every item on this checklist: PPO #121830, all officers Guard Card verified, $2M liability coverage, full workers' comp, licensed QM, and clean BSIS compliance history. Call 530-902-9390 to start your verified security program.