Courthouses & Court Facilities
Courthouse Security Guards in California
Entry screening, perimeter checks and building officers for court facilities — working alongside the sheriff and to the terms of each court’s solicitation.
- Licensed & insured
- 24/7 dispatch
- No long-term contract
- Se habla español
Court-ready officers
Professional, neutral conduct.
Entry screening
X-ray, magnetometer and bag checks.
Perimeter checks
Scheduled perimeter rounds.
Works with the sheriff
Supports, never replaces.
Quick answer
Who provides security at California courthouses?
Under the Superior Court Security Act of 2012 (Government Code §69920 et seq.), the county sheriff is responsible for court security services at the level set by a memorandum of understanding with the court (the marshal in Shasta and Trinity counties). Some superior courts also contract licensed security companies for entry screening and perimeter security through public solicitations; those contract guards hold state guard registrations and have only citizen’s-arrest powers. Safeguard On Demand supports courts with screening and perimeter officers where courts contract for them.
Key facts
- Sheriff provides court security under an MOU
- Some courts contract screening and perimeter guards
- Contract guards have citizen’s-arrest powers only
- Screening: x-ray, magnetometer, bag checks
- Procured through public RFPs
The challenge
Court security is a partnership
Contract officers work inside a system led by the sheriff and the court.
Morning screening peaks
Lines at entry screening at the start of court calendars.
Working with deputies
Contract guards must support, not replace, sheriff’s deputies.
Formal procurement
Public RFPs with specific staffing and insurance terms.
Coverage options
Courthouse security services
Combine services into one program.
Our standards
What every courthouse post includes
The same standard on every shift.
Written post orders
Duties and escalation contacts approved by you.
Hourly photo reports
Timestamped photos and notes.
Supervisor field checks
Unannounced visits.
BSIS-licensed officers
Guard Card and background check.
Before you hire
Questions to ask a courthouse security company
Here is how we answer.
| Ask the vendor | Safeguard On Demand |
|---|---|
| Do you replace sheriff’s deputies? | No. Contract officers support court security as defined in the court’s solicitation. |
| Can your officers run screening equipment? | Yes, as specified in the scope of work and with site training. |
| Do you respond to RFPs? | Yes — compliant proposals priced to the scope. |
| Can you staff armed posts? | Yes, if the solicitation requires it. |
| Are officers registered? | Yes — BSIS Guard Cards; armed officers hold Firearm Permits. |
| Is there a long-term contract? | No long-term contract. |
Who we protect
Court and public facilities we serve
Statewide
Courthouse security across California
Served from the office nearest your site, with officers across 13 California counties.
How it works
How courthouse security starts
A short, documented process.
01
Site review
Property, hours and incident history reviewed.
02
Post orders
Duties and contacts written and approved.
03
Officer orientation
Officers learn the site before day one.
04
Reports & review
Shift reports and regular check-ins.
Choosing coverage
Screening, perimeter or both?
Courts that contract security most often procure entry screening officers and scheduled perimeter checks, sometimes with armed officers. See also government facility security.
California requirements
California court security law
The Superior Court Security Act of 2012 (Government Code §69920 et seq.) makes the sheriff responsible for court security services at the level set by an MOU with the court (Gov. Code §69921.5, §69926), including bailiff duties, hallway patrol, prisoner escort, entry screening and protection of judges (§69922). Some courts additionally procure contract screening and perimeter guards through public solicitations; those guards must hold state guard registrations and have citizen’s-arrest powers only.
Every officer must hold a BSIS Guard Card and work for a licensed private patrol operator — 8 hours of Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training before registration, 32 more hours within six months, and 8 hours of continuing training every year. Verify any company or officer on the state’s DCA License Search.
Security checklist
- Scope of work reviewed
- Screening equipment training
- Coordination with sheriff
- Perimeter check schedule
- Incident reporting
- Insurance and wage terms met
Budgeting
What affects the cost of courthouse security
We do not publish one-size rates. These factors move the price.
Hours of coverage
24/7, nights only or business hours.
Armed vs. unarmed
Armed posts cost more.
Guard vs. patrol
Patrols cost less than full-time posts.
Site size
Acreage, buildings and entrances.
Location and risk
Site history and neighborhood.
Contract length
Short-term vs. ongoing.
Courthouse security FAQs
The county sheriff, under an MOU with the court (the marshal in Shasta and Trinity).
Some superior courts contract screening and perimeter guards through public solicitations.
They have the same arrest powers as private persons.
Across 13 California counties from offices in Santa Ana, Los Angeles (Northridge), San Diego, the Inland Empire, Sacramento and Silicon Valley.
Where we provide this coverage
Posts are staffed from the nearest of our six California offices — same day in most areas. Free assessment: (800) 640-2327.