dispatcher

armed guard

armed security officer

security officer

security supervisor

Shield and Buckler Security, Inc.

When I first started at SBSI five years ago, I thought this was a great company with supervisors and leadership that has your back. This is not the case. They tell you what you want to hear, then deny ever saying those things. For 6 months there was active conversation from top officials of a "substantial raise, that won't be no .50 or $1.00 raise." This went on until just recently when employees heard the raise was far less than which was spoken previously. Employees with previous raises have lost them, new employees are walking on with the same pay as someone who has been with the company for over a year. 

The job in its basic form, is not hard, and quite enjoyable. Some sites SBSI holds contracts for are awesome, and the people you work with are great. The requirements and responsibility of each post is fairly easy and understandable. The job itself is fun. The problems arise when these managers, the "captains" "majors" and "chiefs", will be quick to fire you instead of investigating a complaint. You have to fight to protect your job, but since the company is so heavily short-staffed, you are safe as long as you don't do anything egregious. These same people lie constantly, say things which sound very promising, then never deliver. Expect nothing with this company, and anything which may come, will feel like a reward. Take everything say say as a grain of salt. They reward nothing and just keep pushing you and others out the door. If you have a complaint or grievance you are told “there’s the door”. The biggest issue in all honesty is the corporate security for Covenant. They care nothing for anyone and eat you alive just to spit you out the door. Five years and not even a good job or a decent raise. When I switched to General Operations my PTO of over 70 hours was taken away and I was told oh you don’t get that anymore. They promised to keep me at 17.00hr rate but lied and dropped me to 14.50hr. 

10 out of 10 – I would absolutely recommend working for this company.

Leadership has always been clear, consistent, and supportive. As long as you do your job the way it’s expected, leadership stands behind you. I’ve worked for over a year at Peninsula Behavioral Health, and throughout that time my Lieutenant has always had my back.

Whenever I asked for advice, it was given thoughtfully and professionally. During times when I had personal issues at home with my family, my Lieutenant was there not just as a supervisor, but as a supportive listener who genuinely cared. That kind of leadership is rare.

I often see people complain about this company. Yes, there are times when officers can be overworked, and I agree the pay could be better. However, at the end of the day, I am satisfied with my job and proud of the work I do here. I’ve learned a great deal during my time with this company.

The level of professionalism is among the best I’ve experienced in the security field. There are moments when my Captain has personally called me just to check in—asking if I’m okay or if I need anything. How often does that happen in the security world? It shows genuine care for officers as people, not just numbers.
I will say this job is not for everyone. You’re either built for it, or you’re not. If you are, then buckle up and enjoy a challenging but fulfilling career.


A typical day at the post I work is uneventful which is what you want in this line of work. In my time with this company I've learned that seniority means nothing,you'll get whatever awful shifts and hrs they want you to work in order for them to accommodate someone else even if you have seniority over that person. Management is an absolute joke,the supervisor at my post made several dollars more per hr and did 1/4 the amount of work as the rest. The hardest part of the job was being drug into workplace drama despite trying to stay out of it all. The most enjoyable part of the job atleast for me was the people I met and became close friends with. The pay rate isn't great,I made enough to scrape by with little to no extra. Overtime is scarce if you have the max number of guards on the post you're working. They talk about raises etc and it doesn't happen. You aren't and will never be paid to be "on call" yet they expect you to be. Anything over 40hrs is time and half. Alot of the time in order to get a full day off without being called in you have to simply not answer your phone. While it is the supervisors job to cover whoever calls out,they likely won't cover the shift and they will try to call you in to cover it instead. Apply at this company if you enjoy scraping by and not seeing your family.

I was an unarmed security officer at the bushes beans plant! My coworkers were very nice, although Zombie like from working so many hours. I was off Monday and Tuesday and Three out of my first four Mondays I worked!!  Two of those I was never asked if I could work those days! I was just put on the schedule. I worked a swing shift! Two third shifts, one day second shift and then two days first shift. One of those first shift days was 12 hours. Two of those days were what they call turn and burns. That is where you clock out and less than eight hours later you had to be right back into work. My very first day I had three employees tell me that the average person only lasts on that swing shift one month. I barely lasted two. I had an officer tell me in over three years they can count on one hand how many 40 hour weeks they worked. That officer was one of what I called the zombie officers. I have been working for 26+ years and I have never experienced Coworkers so tired and just flat wore out from all the hours! If you want hours ask to work at bushes beans, plant in security! Trust me, they’ll give you 50+ hours easily. I just wanted to work 40 a week and go home. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
As Chief of Operations I assisted the CEO with training and coaching employees on a variety of security details. Demonstrated duties and decorum of a security officer by example. Assisted the CEO with securing contracts.  Asked on my Law Enforcement background and training I brought value to the company. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Potential clients who do not recognize the value of highly skilled executive protection specialist. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The CEO has a great working relationship with the employees. Takes a personal interest In employee development, to assure they are afforded training and up to date information for favorable outcomes: 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Assisted the CEO with day to day administrative responsibilities and conducting work place threat assessments per request. Advancement work as needed.

Benefits are a joke and ridiculously expensive , raises are practically non existent,  middle management is not supportive , initial or ongoing training is not provided ,only 2 uniform shirts and trousers are provided. No issued equipment ( unless you work at a hospital)
Paid time off and sick time are not provided, (even after working  one year I was told  there was no paid vacation time, even though I had been told there was upon my being hired ) .  Work is relatively easy and low stress , but staffing shortages are continuous and names on the schedule come and go rather regularly ,hours are long and and morale is low  , it's a real revolving door .
Overtime is mandatory ,and there is no pathway to advancement or raises . 
What you get going in is all you get , but don't take the benefits, and don't expect a paid vacation. 

 




General ops is good but could be better. Anytime I’ve ever needed a day off or had a scheduled appointment they are good about getting your post covered, now I can’t say if they do it for all employees but I haven’t had an issue. I love my post just wish and hope the pay gets better because other companies offer more pay for the same duties I have here and that is what makes the job stressful. My favorite part of the job is seeing and working with the group I’m assigned to they are the reason I’m sticking with the company I honestly have a great Supervisor and he does what he can with what he has to work with.The only hard part about the job is the homeless and keeping them off the property, but it’s getting better. I think it’s a good company but the pay needs and should be better

What is the best part of working at the company?
They are just a nice group of guys to work for they'll help you in any way they can and place you where you want if possible

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
For me the training was stressful but I am 61 years old but they are very well at what they do and have a excellent training program

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very good work environment you may work at a bank a hospital just wherever they have a contract with you could go and they're all willing to help you in any way they can

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Actually kind of fun some days

What is the best part of working at the company?
Diversity of various work assignments.  The mentorship and coaching while learning from some of the industries true security professional.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No stress, just constant evolving work challeges.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Cooperative coordination and a team spirit.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
When i worked wit the company as a COO, I mainly was respnsible for attending meetings with the CEO and providing mentorship for the security officers.

The owner of the company is a family acquaintance and hires a lot of Knoxville law enforcement so the staff knows what its doing a majority of the time. Hes very friendly and flexible with work schedules, and he'll work hard for you if you do the same for him. The unarmed posts are usually pretty laid back, mostly consisting of overnight gigs at friendly locations, a lot of hotels, one offers the security officer that night a free breakfast in the morning. Its really a security officers best case scenario, a thing to watch and most of the time, people leave you alone. All in all, I liked working for Shield and Buckler

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Dispatcher 8 salaries reported	$14.00 per hour
Armed guard 22 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour
Armed security officer 3 salaries reported	$16.33 per hour
Security officer 2 salaries reported	$20.25 per hour
Security supervisor 2 salaries reported	$16.50 per hour

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