On the ground
Tacoma · Warehouse and Distribution Security.
The Port of Tacoma’s tideflats are lined with container yards and warehouses, and trailers move through them at all hours.
Under Chapter 18.170 RCW, security companies must hold a private security company license from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Every guard needs a DOL private security guard license: at least 8 hours of pre-assignment training and a passed DOL exam before working, post-assignment training after licensing, and 8 hours of refresher training every year. A temporary card allows unarmed work only. Armed guards need an armed endorsement, which requires a firearms certificate from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (an 8-hour firearms class plus qualification, renewed every year); a Concealed Pistol License does not replace it. Check licenses through DOL before service begins.
On post, every shift
Common duties for this kind of property. Your post orders decide exactly what officers do at your site.
Truck gate
Checking drivers, seals and paperwork against the day’s pickup list.
Dock doors
Making sure only scheduled doors are open and nothing is staged outside.
Trailer yard
Walking rows of trailers to check seals, kingpin locks and fences.
Badge checks
Keeping visitors and drivers in their marked areas.
After-hours rounds
Testing doors and watching cameras once shifts end.
Incident notes
Writing up damaged seals, refused loads and anything out of place.
Picking the right level of coverage
Gate officers handle busy shipping hours. Night patrols cover yards and docks after shifts end. Around-the-clock posts suit sites that never stop moving freight.
Put these in your request
- Number of gates and dock doors
- Shipping and receiving hours
- Trailer yard size
- How drivers check in today
- Areas visitors may not enter
- Who to call for a seal problem
Planning a budget in Tacoma
Your quote depends on the site, the hours and the duties. Use these starting rates to plan before proposals come in.
| Service | Starting at | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed officer | From $25 an hour | Standing posts, access control, patrols |
| Armed officer | From $32 an hour | Guards with an armed license and firearms certification |
| Event security | From $30 an hour per officer | Often with a minimum of about 4 hours per officer |
| Personal protection | From $70 an hour | Protection agents from DOL-licensed companies |
| Fire watch | From $25 an hour | Patrols while fire systems are out of service |
| Mobile patrol | Priced per visit | Depends on visits per night and drive time |
Starting rates. Billing rates cover the officer’s pay plus payroll taxes, insurance, licensing, supervision and company overhead. Your price depends on your site, schedule and duties, and comes from the provider’s written proposal.
Example: planning hours for a warehouse
One gate post staffed around the clock needs about 730 officer hours a month (24 hours × 365 days ÷ 12). Adding an overnight yard patrol from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. adds about 243 hours. Multiply total hours by the hourly rates in each proposal to compare them fairly.
What changes the price
Armed or unarmed
Armed posts cost more because of licensing, training and insurance.
Hours and schedule
Overnight, weekend and holiday hours, and 24/7 coverage, raise the total. One 24/7 post needs about 730 officer hours a month.
Number of posts
Each additional post or patrol adds officer hours, and large sites may need a supervisor.
Contract length
Ongoing contracts are usually priced lower per hour than one-day or short-notice coverage.
Duties and risk
Specialized duties, high-value goods or busy public sites can raise the rate.
What’s included
Supervision, reporting software, vehicles and equipment may be included or billed separately.
Before you sign
Vetting a guard company.
A license, insurance and good supervision matter as much as the hourly rate. Check these with every provider you consider.
- LicenseDOL lookup · company licenseActive
- OfficersDOL guard license · annual refresherConfirmed
- InsuranceGeneral liability · Additional insuredOn file
- References2 warehouse or logistics clients near Stadium DistrictCalled
- SupervisionSupervisor visits every 2 hrs · 6 PM–6 AMAgreed
- In writingProposal covers: shipping and receiving hours · trailer yard sizeSigned
- 1
Check the company license
Look up the company’s Washington DOL private security guard company license and match its legal name and status.
- 2
Check guard licenses
Ask for each guard’s DOL security guard license and training record (8 hours before work, 8 hours of refresher every year). For armed posts, confirm the armed endorsement and a current CJTC firearms certificate.
- 3
Ask for a certificate of insurance
Request proof of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and ask whether you can be named as an additional insured.
- 4
Ask for references
Talk to clients with similar properties, and ask how long they have used the company.
- 5
Ask about supervision
Find out who checks on officers, how often, and who you call at 2 a.m. when something goes wrong.
- 6
Get it in writing
Make sure the proposal covers post orders, staffing, rates for holidays and overtime, how absences are covered, reporting, and how to end the contract.
Ask for warehouse and distribution security proposals
Tell us about your site and when you need coverage. Guardix helps connect your request with security companies that can serve Tacoma. Each company confirms its own availability, pricing and terms.
Questions about Warehouse and Distribution Security
Can officers check trailer seals?
Yes. Ask providers to describe how they record seal numbers and report mismatches.
Do I need armed officers?
Most warehouses use unarmed officers. Armed posts are usually limited to very high-value goods.
Can one officer cover gate and patrols?
On quiet nights, sometimes. Busy sites usually need separate gate and patrol roles.
Will officers use our check-in system?
They should. Tell providers what system you use so they can plan training.
How are thefts reported?
Officers should report to your contacts right away and file a written report the same day.
Can coverage change with the season?
Yes. Many distribution centers add officers during peak season.
Other services in Tacoma
Next step
Ready to cover your Tacoma warehouse?
Send one short request. Guardix passes it to DOL-licensed security companies, and each one replies with a written proposal.
- RequestZIP, service, start date
- MatchedLicensed providers
- ProposalPrice and terms in writing
Guardix helps connect quote requests with potential security providers. The selected provider delivers the agreed security service. Availability, qualifications, pricing, reporting features, and service terms must be confirmed for the actual assignment.