Texas Security Industry Under Scrutiny: Complaints, Discipline, and Systemic Issues
Texas Security Industry Under Scrutiny
As private security becomes more integral to public safety across Texas — from commercial properties to event staffing — regulatory enforcement and industry performance have drawn increasing attention. Data from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and public records show a meaningful number of complaints, disciplinary actions, and systemic concerns involving security companies and individual security officers statewide.
Regulatory Framework and Oversight
Texas regulates the private security profession under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702. This covers armed/unarmed guards, private investigators, personal protection officers, and others in the security services field. DPS conducts background checks, licensing, complaint investigations, and disciplinary action when standards are violated.
Citizens and officers alike may submit complaints against companies or individuals via the DPS Regulatory Services Division. Those reports are evaluated, and when substantiated can result in disciplinary actions — such as suspension or revocation of licenses.
Disciplinary Actions Against Companies
The 2025 DPS Disciplinary Action Reports reveal that a notable number of security firms have had actions taken against them for violations including:
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Failure to cooperate with investigations or inspections
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Operating with unlicensed or ineligible employees
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Non-compliance with recordkeeping and continuing education requirements
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Advertising violations
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Firearm-related violations
Examples from the November 2025 report include companies being suspended for failure to cooperate with DPS compliance efforts and suspended for firearm rule violations — with action taken directly by the department.
These disciplinary actions indicate that even established firms sometimes fail to meet basic regulatory obligations, such as compliance with continuing education, accurate licensing, and cooperation with audits.
Disciplinary Actions Against Individual Security Officers
The volume of individual actions with repeated denials or suspensions reflects ongoing challenges within the industry regarding:
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Training compliance
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Proper sponsorship by licensed security firms
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Timely submission of credentials and background checks
This points to broader problems with compliance at the individual level, which often stem from employer mismanagement or lack of oversight.
Formal Complaint Volume & Trends
According to the DPS Private Security Advisory Committee Report (2025), the Regulatory Services Division:
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Issued 28,193 individual licenses and 2,277 business licenses in FY 2025.
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Received 189 complaints during that period, with 19 referring to disciplinary action.
While the total number of complaints may seem small relative to the number of licensed entities, the fact that complaints lead to action underscores ongoing compliance issues.
Common Worker-Reported Problems
Beyond official discipline data, worker-reported accounts from industry forums reveal common operational issues that affect both officer safety and company compliance. These include:
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Employers failing to complete or process required licensing paperwork for guards.
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Companies telling guards to work without proper license verification.
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Promises of training or advancement that never materialize.
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Officers being labeled as security without understanding licensing obligations.
These anecdotal reports are consistent with broader industry complaints about poor training delivery, documentation lapses, and employment practices that put both officers and clients at risk.
Industry Challenges: Low Pay and Turnover
National research indicates security officers often face stagnant wages, with hourly rates significantly below the private sector average (with many officers earning around $13/hr and lacking employer-provided benefits). High turnover and low compensation are known contributors to operational instability and compliance issues — as companies struggle to retain trained, competent personnel.
A separate industry analysis notes that inadequate pay and lack of investment in officers often leads to high turnover and dissatisfaction — perpetuating a cycle of undertrained and underprepared guards.
Why This Matters: Training and Public Safety
The rapid growth of private security roles — in part due to understaffed law enforcement and demand for private safety solutions — underscores the importance of competent training, ethical business practices, and effective oversight.
Inadequate training or poor compliance not only jeopardizes officer safety but also exposes companies and clients to legal liability and public risk — especially as private security fills roles traditionally expected of trained professionals.
In Closing: Systemic Issues Demand Solutions
The Dallas–Houston–Austin corridor of security operations reveals a complex industry balancing rapid expansion with regulatory compliance challenges:
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Disciplinary reports show concrete enforcement actions against firms that fail to meet licensing and compliance requirements.
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Officer disciplinary data highlights recurring eligibility and licensing problems at the individual level.
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Complaint volume and industry reports point to persistent workforce issues — including pay and training gaps — that directly impact quality and compliance.
These findings suggest the industry needs not only stronger enforcement but also better employer practices, improved training standards, and higher pay scales to retain competent officers — solutions that could reduce complaints and strengthen public trust.
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