Some security companies here say they are seeing growth during this slower economy, including more contracts from business clients that have opted to outsource for private security guards instead of internally staffing those positions.

Deaconess Hospital is one example of a business here that has contracted with the Spokane office of the Parsippany, N.J.-based Securitas Security Services USA Inc. beginning this month for providing security guards, after longtime internal staffing for that role, those in the industry here say.

Other increased requests include calls from businesses seeking new or enhanced security because of a recent hike in break-ins and thefts, or based on concerns about possible decreased police patrols in the midst of public safety budget cuts, security industry managers say.

"We've actually seen the same factors that are part of this challenging economy are driving up the need for security," says Guardsmark LLC Spokane branch manager Paul Watson. "We've seen increased focus on the need for security. It's linked to the higher crime rate and higher unemployment."

Guardsmark, which has its executive headquarters in New York City, has grown its Spokane office in the past year from 100 employees to 125, Watson says. At least 85 to 95 percent of those are full time. Guardsmark's office here is located in the Spokane Valley at 1121 N. Argonne.

Similar staffing boosts have happened here for Securitas Security Services, with a Spokane office at 218 N. Bernard, and for Spokane-based Kodiak Security Services Inc., at 104 N. Lee, in East Spokane.

At Spokane-based State Protection Services, co-owner and President of Operations Corinna Bambino says the recession has had a moderate impact on the security industry as far as working with clients—perhaps slightly reducing rates—so they still can afford security. At the same time, however, the company has seen an increase in the overall number of hours requested for security, she adds.

"We've done pretty well," Bambino says. "As for the number of hours that we provide service, that really hasn't been affected by the recession."

The company, located at 7011 E. Trent, employs about 80 security officers who work a mix of full-time and part-time schedules. The higher demand for security is for nights, weekends, and holidays, so having part-time and on-call staff is crucial, she says.

Michael Novak, Kodiak's sales account manager, says that company staffs 45 to 60 private-security employees year-round, but that number surpasses 200 during large events, such as for the Spokane Interstate Fair.

With more frequent calls lately from clients for services this year, staffing is expected to increase further.

"A lot of smaller offices have hired us for private mobile patrols, a standing officer, or even an alarm response," Novak says. "This year has kicked off extremely heavy."

Securitas' Spokane office staffs about 250 total private security officers for a portion of Eastern Washington that includes Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Quincy, says Matt Rees, human resource specialist for the Spokane office. He says about 150 of its guards are in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area.

"It's up in the Spokane area by about 30 employees from this time in 2011," Rees says. "It's definitely up. Deaconess (security) makes up about 20 of that."

In considering the shift to outsourced security, a business often factors in overhead costs such as buying uniforms, liability insurance, and training expenses, he says.

"We can arrive at those much more efficiently and cheaply than they can in-house," Rees says.

Watson, at Guardsmark, agrees that some of the industry growth is coming from businesses that have decided to outsource security needs.

"With the economy the way it is, that continues to contribute to being a large growth area as companies tighten their belts to save money without compromising quality," Watson says.

Guardsmark has seen new business in the past year for other reasons, including increased security concerns among Spokane companies due to thefts, Watson says. He adds that the increase in contracts over the past year to provide security officers comes from different types of clients—commercial, government, construction, and private companies.

"Industrial sites here have had a real problem with the theft of metals and tools, because they can be easily sold in the area," he says, as one example.

He adds that he also has heard concerns from clients about reduced police patrols because of public safety budget cuts.

"Those sites, particularly in this economy, see value to having onsite security to respond to any incidents that might occur," he says. "I've seen quite a recent increase in frequency in vandalism and theft inquiries after the fact, and people call about obtaining private security service."

Watson also says he's seen requests for security to keep the workplace safer during cycles of employee layoffs.

"Some companies and industries have had some budget cutbacks, so many companies want to be sure that they have a safe workplace," he says.

That may include hiring private security guards to be available during times when workers are being laid off, and security to patrol the perimeter of a building to protect employees as they enter and leave.

"In some cases with a cutback, there can be personnel issues and threat of workforce violence," Watson says.

Novak says Kodiak also provides executive protection service in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, and he's also seen an uptick in requests for that service in 2012. Overall, he adds, "the need for security is increasing."

Each of the private security companies describes a rigorous hiring process and subsequent training for those private guards who do land a job.

A majority of those hired tend to come from law enforcement, criminal justice, or military backgrounds, managers say. New hires also go through extensive background checks.

Kodiak's Novak describes it as a narrow hiring window.

"We'll take 200 applications, and we may hire one out of 200. It's a very strict hiring process," he says.

Kodiak also offers 300-plus hours of training to security guards it hires in addition to state-required training. Employees can go through the levels of optional advanced training to gain better pay and advancement.

"Ninety-eight percent of our employees take our training programs," he says.

Washington state requires at least eight hours of training prior to getting licensed as a private security guard, Rees says.

Both Securitas and Guardsmark say they also provide additional internal training, as well as instruction for any specific workplace requirements at individual sites.