Creating and Managing Security Guard Post Orders

It is important for any cannabis business with employed or outsourced security personnel on site to create post orders. Post orders are basically a description of the priority of the duties while on-shift, and how to relieve/be relieved of duty, if necessary. Post orders are specific to each physical location, as each location will have different areas of vulnerability based on its function and set-up. It is important to note that the first post order should be “you are the one in charge of security once you assume your post”, or something to that effect. Guards need to be aware that their first priority is to secure the facility, and not to be too wrapped up in their other ongoing checks etc that they forget their primary function. We all know that it can be both a necessary deterrent and a little intimidating to have security personnel present and seen within a cannabis operation. The best post orders balance the presence of security, without compromising the normal function of the business.

Creating Security Guard Post Orders

To efficiently and effectively create post orders it is imperative that you know every nook and cranny of the operation itself. A lot of us in the cannabis industry are dealing with a retro-fit building that was not specifically designed to accommodate a cannabis business, and some less-than-desirable situations when it comes to securing the operation. It is also important to walk the property with at least the security lead, while documenting and discussing potential vulnerabilities so that everyone is clear on how they should be handled. Once post orders are agreed upon by both parties, they will be documented, signed, and kept for record, as well as for immediate reference by the person on duty.

Post orders must also include a log, to be initialed every time a task is completed, by the guard on duty. The log should include intervaled checks of vulnerabilities (points of egress, limited and restricted access areas, and infrequently visited areas of the property), notes on any adverse events that occur while on shift (open/unlocked doors/windows, ANY event pertaining to security etc.), as well as assumption/relenting of the post. All logs are to be timestamped, and kept for record.

Managing Security Guard Post Orders

If there are ever any changes to be made to the post orders, it should require walking the property together, to the areas affected by the change, if necessary. It should also require a review of the new documentation, as well as a signature of both the security lead and the Head of Operations (whatever that means for your business). In most cases, you will have an initial set of post orders that will be amended once your security personnel become more familiar with the operation. It is imperative that constructive feedback is given, and heard, so that everyone can be more aware, safe, and secure together.

Lastly, there should be a quarterly review of any adverse events that happen during that time frame, as well as any necessary updates to guard certifications, training, licensing, or installed security fixes (any security equipment that is in need of replacement, repair, or adjustment). Any events that have required the involvement/notification of local law enforcement, OR your cannabis regulatory authority, need to be discussed and followed up on until they are resolved. This may include providing statements, video footage, or documents to either party, so ensure that you are following local protocol on retaining footage and data required. This will keep you in good standing, and in compliance with both authorities, as well as provide an open channel of communication between you and them.

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group are prepared to help with ensuring installed security is compliant and cost-efficient. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with cannabis industry updates!

Author

If you are a current operator (or want to be) Tyler Stratford can help!

When Tyler got out of the Army as a 23 year-old, he witnessed cannabis save the life of his grandmother, who was unable to treat her back pain with opioids. He then began working for one of the first licensed vertically integrated cannabis companies in Boulder, Colorado, Boulder Kind Care. He helped them relocate and build their cultivation facility, including equipment selection and installation. For a few years he worked his way through almost every one of the positions across the cannabis vertical. He has held cultivation management positions, dispensary positions, and eventually was the director of compliance for Boulder Kind Care. After helping a couple other local vertically integrated companies transition from Medical to Dual/Medical & Recreational companies in the Colorado market, he then went to work for MJ Freeway as an Operational Implementation Specialist. Having been a beta user of MJ Freeway and the only one with perspective on “both sides” of the software, he was responsible for the implementation and “go live” of well over 400 operations in the cannabis industry, across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Spain, including the first 4 dispensaries in 4 states (NV, MN, AK, FL). He has spoken at countless conferences and events, trained thousands of operators on both cannabis plant/product knowledge, compliance, tools/software, and helped create a lot of their educational content and SOP documentation. After 3 years, he then went to work for Canna Advisors (one of the most prestigious, professional, and successful consulting companies in the industry) as their Director of Client operations, advising both pre-license and post-license clients on operational set-up and efficiencies. He also created their Strategic Partner Program, negotiating deals for their high-quality clients with vendors of ancillary cannabis products. He even represented a client as an expert witness in an appeals case where he spent over an hour taking questions from the State AG, and they got the license. Since then, he has helped multiple start-ups as Director of Operations and Chief Strategy Officer, primarily in the California Market.