Unarmed Security Guards

Armed guards carry firearms and require additional state-issued certifications and training. Unarmed guards do not carry firearms and rely on observation, communication, and de-escalation. Most commercial sites — offices, retail, residential, construction — use unarmed guards because their presence is sufficient deterrent without the liability of an armed officer.

Yes. Studies consistently show that visible uniformed security presence dramatically reduces theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Most criminal activity is opportunistic, and an alert uniformed officer with radio communication and reporting capability is enough to redirect bad actors. For higher-risk environments, our team can advise whether armed coverage is warranted.

Every state has its own unarmed guard licensing requirements — typically including a background check, classroom training (usually 8-40 hours depending on state), and a state-issued guard card or registration. Calvis verifies that every unarmed officer on our platform holds a valid, current license in the state they're working in.

Unarmed guards have the same arrest authority as any private citizen — known as a citizen's arrest — which generally allows them to detain someone caught committing a crime until law enforcement arrives. Calvis guards are trained to observe, document, report, and call police rather than physically intervene, except in narrow circumstances permitted by state law.

Unarmed guard pricing is transparent and depends on location, shift length, and duration of contract. Unarmed coverage is generally less expensive than armed because of the lower licensing and insurance overhead. You see the rate upfront before you book — no hidden fees, no surprise invoices.

Yes, in most major US markets. Calvis maintains a multi-agency network across 40+ cities, which means there's almost always a licensed unarmed officer available for same-day deployment. For specialized requirements or remote locations, lead time may be 24-48 hours.