Guardsman ahead of the curve in local Security Services

Think safe…Think Guardsman. This is more than just a slogan for the security company, as Guardsman goes above and beyond to ensure that they are simply the best when it comes to protecting homes and businesses in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). The slogan has taken on a life of its own, as Vincentians have selected the company as having the Best Security Services in SVG.

“I think for all of us it was a proud moment,” said general manager Peter A Van Whervin of the Best of SVG Award.

Van Whervin has been at the helm of local operations for the past two years.

Founded in Jamaica by Kenneth S Benjamin in 1972, Guardsman Group has, over the years, grown and expanded. The company was established in SVG in 2003 as a partnership of Keith Howard, Albert Porter, and Guardsman Group of Companies. It also has branches in St Lucia and Barbados.

What exactly makes Guardsman the best? Van Whervin shared with Searchlight that being a well-structured company helps Guardsman stand out from among the competition.

“We are the only guard company in St Vincent that is really structured. Before you become a guard here, we have a training course which lasts for a week. Before you are trained, we have vetting, which includes having recommendations, a clean police record and you’re interviewed in front of a panel of three persons and you have to pass that before you are allowed to go to the training class. So, we try and maintain a standard,” he explained.

Guardsman employs more than 200 persons, 190 of whom are guards. In an industry that commonly has a high employee turnover rate, they have succeeded in keeping their guards long-term.

“Our turnover is not that bad. It’s something that we do track. We have people who leave because they are migrating or they have found other jobs. We have an open door policy, we listen and we care,” said Van Whervin, adding, “We actually have an HR Department.” Employees are also encouraged by opportunities for upward mobility within the company.

“Guardsman prides itself on promoting from within, but you have to be driven enough to upgrade yourself, whether technically, educationally, so that you can prepare yourself in the event that a position becomes available.”

The services Guardsman provides include CCTV installation and monitoring at commercial and residential properties, static security guards and cash in transit, which involves the transportation of money between banks and businesses using Guardsman’s signature red armoured trucks, a service insured by Lloyd’s of London.

Guardsman has also, within the past two years, established a canine unit, a service which Van Whervin said is becoming very popular.

“When I came, we only had three dogs, with no handlers and now we have 12 dogs, with in excess of 10 handlers and we find that it is a rapidly growing market. The dogs, more often than not, are used at night, because they see, hear, smell better than us human beings. They are used during Carnival in the parking lots to protect people’s vehicles and also on large industrial properties of clients that we have. They are a very tight, close-knit driven bunch.”

Having clinched the Best of SVG 2017 award, Guardsman is even more determined to meet and exceed the expectations of their clients.

“We try to keep on the cutting edge, keep our staff availed of all the knowledge that is available to them. That is how we plan to stay ahead of the curve. If you see us slacking off, please tell us, so that we can fix it and move forward,” said Van Whervin.