Security Guard & Private Security Companies in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Security licensing requirements in Wisconsin

Private security in Wisconsin is licensed at the state level by the the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). A legitimate company operating in La Crosse holds a Private Detective/Security Agency license, which means it has cleared Wisconsin DSPS's ownership, background-check and insurance requirements. Ask for that license number in writing and verify it yourself — a certificate on the wall tells you nothing about current standing, since a license can be suspended or revoked.

Guard credential

a Private Security Permit (the holder is a “Private Security Person”)

no state-mandated unarmed training — the permit requires an application, fingerprints, and a state and FBI background check with an absolute felony bar

Armed officers

a DSPS Firearms Permit (or, alternatively, a Wisconsin concealed-carry license)

a 36-hour firearm training program for the DSPS Firearms Permit (valid one year, with a 6-hour annual refresher) · Minimum age 18

Insurance

$100,000 in liability coverage or a bond — but if any employee is armed, liability insurance is required and a bond is not allowed

Renewal

Licenses renew every two years (the individual permit in even years, the agency license in odd years) — check the issue date, not just the status.

Violent crime

426

per 100,000 residents

Property crime

3,484

per 100,000 residents

Homicide

4

per 100,000 residents

Crime rates describe a city, not a specific address — the right level of coverage depends on your block, your hours and what you're protecting. Use the neighborhood breakdown to see how La Crosse varies internally before you scope a contract.