By Bill Peeler, President & CEO, Peeler Group International

In April 2025, Whitman College found itself in an avoidable controversy: a private security contractor had armed personnel on campus, yet those guards lacked the legal authority to carry firearms. Public records showed they were only certified for unarmed roles, and the company was not licensed to provide armed services in Washington State.

If that sounds like a breach of both law and trust, it is.

This incident isn’t about one school or one firm. It highlights a systemic issue I’ve witnessed for decades: the failure to vet security contractors and their personnel properly. Whether you’re a university administrator, an entertainment venue, a corporate risk manager, or a government subcontractor, the stakes are the same. Failing to vet who you put on the ground puts your people, brand, and legal standing at risk.

What Went Wrong at Whitman

Security First, a private firm hired to help manage a campus event, assigned guards who visibly carried firearms. However, those guards were registered only as unarmed security professionals. Even more alarming was that the company did not hold an armed security license in the state. That’s not just a paperwork error—that’s a liability nightmare.

College leadership quickly issued a public response: They would no longer permit armed private security on campus and reinforced that external contractors are to observe and report only, not to intervene with students or faculty physically.

While Whitman’s corrective action was necessary, the real damage was already done. Public confidence was shaken, student safety was questioned, and a preventable error became a headline.

Why Vetting is More Than a Checkbox

Vetting a contractor isn’t about scanning a résumé or assuming good intent. It’s about operational due diligence. You are handing them authority, access, and responsibility. That kind of trust must be earned and verified, not assumed.

Three major breakdowns occur when vetting is skipped or is superficial:

1. Licensing and Legal Compliance Gaps
   Every state has specific requirements for armed and unarmed security services. If a contractor can’t prove compliance—or worse, misrepresents its capability—the client inherits the liability when something goes wrong.
2. Subcontracting Without Oversight
   Many prime contractors outsource to third-party agencies, but fail to hold those agencies to the same standards. If your name is on the master agreement, your reputation is also on the line when a subcontractor cuts corners.
3. Failure to Match Mission to Qualifications
   Not every security firm is prepared for every assignment. Putting untrained or mismatched personnel in sensitive environments—schools, hospitals, public protests—can escalate a situation rather than contain it.

Key Vetting Practices for Any Security Engagement

At Peeler Group International, we recommend a structured and layered vetting protocol, whether you’re a direct client or a subcontracting firm:

Demand Written Proof of Licensing
Ensure all firms and assigned individuals hold the correct state and local licenses for the level of service being provided—armed, unarmed, patrol, event-based, etc. Ask for state-issued verification, not just internal documentation.

Verify Training and Qualifications
Don’t take someone’s word for it. Review training certifications, firearms qualifications (if applicable), CPR/First Aid status, and continuing education records. This should be mandatory for high-risk assignments.

Run Independent Background Checks
Even if a firm claims they’ve vetted their staff, perform your own checks—criminal history, use-of-force incidents, civil claims, and prior client disputes. Especially if the personnel will be publicly visible or working around minors.

Conduct Mock Deployment Reviews
Before the assignment, meet the team, brief them, and ask scenario-based questions. See if their professionalism and awareness meet your expectations. If they don’t, pause before proceeding.

Request an Operational SOP from the Provider
Every vendor should supply a written Standard Operating Procedure that reflects how their staff will interact, report, respond to incidents, and escalate when needed. If it’s vague or missing altogether, that’s a red flag.

Hold Prime and Subcontractors Equally Accountable
If you subcontract security services, ensure your contract requires the same vetting standards for any downstream personnel. Include audit rights and the ability to demand immediate removal of unsuitable staff.

The Bottom Line

Security isn’t just about uniforms and presence—it’s about preparation, professionalism, and accountability. The Whitman College incident reminds us that even good intentions can lead to public failures when the vetting process is ignored or diluted.

Your organization’s safety, reputation, and compliance posture depend on how seriously you take the vetting process. Whether you’re the end user of security services or an agency subcontracting on behalf of a client, the same principle applies: if you wouldn’t trust them with your life, don’t trust them with your liability.

There is no room for shortcuts for those of us in the business of protecting others.

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Sources:

Whitman Wire:
https://whitmanwire.com/news/2025/04/16/armed-security-on-campus-lack-license-documents-show/
https://whitmanwire.com/news/2025/04/16/president-addresses-private-security-concerns/

Office of the President – Whitman College:
https://www.whitman.edu/president/april-16-2025-follow-up-on-security-at-memorial-last-night

Legal Disclaimer:

The information and opinions expressed in this article are based on publicly available news sources and do not reflect any private investigations or direct knowledge by Peeler Group International or its representatives. All individuals and entities mentioned are presumed innocent of any legal wrongdoing unless otherwise adjudicated in a court of law. This article is intended for educational and risk management awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.