In the security profession, the first quarter of the year is often misunderstood. Too many organizations treat Q1 as a reset, an opportunity to ease into the year, revisit policies, and gradually find momentum.

At Guardian Protection Force, we see it differently.

Q1 is a reckoning.

The first 90 days determine whether a security program will operate reactively or lead with control, intelligence, and purpose for the remaining nine months. What happens early sets the tone for everything that follows, on the ground, in reporting, and in client trust. Complacency in Q1 doesn’t stay contained; it compounds into inconsistency, gaps in coverage, and reactive decision-making later in the year.

From day one, Guardian officers enter the year aligned, equipped, and accountable. During Q1, every Guardian participates in our Annual State of the Company and Reorientation, a deliberate operational alignment, not a formality. This is where standards are reset before habits form and expectations are clarified and before shortcuts appear.

This process ensures that expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards are clearly defined across the organization before patterns take hold in the field. Early clarity eliminates ambiguity, reinforces accountability, and establishes a shared definition of what “excellence” looks like at every security post.

This early alignment is critical to a client-centric security program.

When officers share the same objectives and understand how their actions connect to client outcomes, security becomes proactive rather than reactive.

Presence becomes intentional.

Reporting becomes meaningful.

Communication becomes consistent.

Clients don’t just feel protected, they see professionalism in action from the very start.

Q1 is also when Guardian deliberately reestablishes the boundaries that govern professional field activity. Early reinforcement of lawful authority, decision-making standards, and proportional response ensures officers operate with clarity and confidence from the outset. This clarity directly impacts prevention and deterrence, reducing escalation, minimizing unnecessary risk, and supporting decisive action when intervention is required.

I absolutely love the New Year.

There is something powerful about turning the page; about the clarity, energy, and opportunity that comes with a fresh start. The New Year gives us permission to reflect honestly, celebrate wins, shed what no longer serves us, and recommit ourselves to what matters most. At Guardian, that mindset is not seasonal, it’s cultural, but January always feels special.

As we step into 2026, it’s worth saying this plainly: 2025 was our best year yet.

We grew, we stabilized, we strengthened our leadership bench, and we continued raising the bar in professionalism, training, and accountability across the organization. None of that happens by accident. It happens because of disciplined execution, shared standards, and the daily commitment of our Guardians in the field and behind the scenes.

There’s also a symbolic lens I’ve enjoyed reflecting on as we begin this year. I was born in the Year of the Snake in Chinese astrology, a sign associated with wisdom, transformation, and growth through shedding what no longer fits. That idea resonates deeply. Growth often requires letting go, of old habits, outdated systems, or limiting beliefs, so something stronger can take their place. As we move into the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of momentum, endurance, and forward motion, I believe Guardian is exceptionally well positioned to run toward what’s next with confidence and purpose.

That forward momentum starts with our people.

I’m proud to announce the promotion of Sgt. Ed Turner to Senior Sergeant. Ed’s leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment to Guardian’s standards have made a lasting impact across our operations. This promotion reflects both his contributions and our continued investment in strong, values-driven leadership at every level.

Another milestone I’m especially proud of: our Major Health Benefits officially took effect on January 1, 2026. This marks the culmination of a 10-year journey for us as a growing small business. Providing meaningful benefits to our team is not just a checkbox, it’s a reflection of who we are and how seriously we take our responsibility to care for our people and their families.

Before closing out 2025, we also gathered to celebrate our Guardians at our Annual Staff Appreciation, an “Ugly Sweater” celebration filled with laughter, camaraderie, and gratitude. We raffled away nearly $10,000 in giveaways as a small token of appreciation for the hard work our officers put in every single day. You all earned it.

Looking ahead, my favorite training of the year is right takes place in Q1, Reorientation and State of the Company. This is where we take a clear-eyed look at where we’ve been and where we’re going: reviewing 2025 goals, progress, and outcomes, and sharing our company-wide goals for 2026.

As we enter 2026, we continue refining our training program to strengthen operational readiness and support something equally vital: the long-term growth and upward mobility of our officers. This quarter’s Training Brief highlights the “why,” the “how,” and the impact of Guardian’s learning model — and how its structure is intentionally designed to grow careers, enhance performance, and cultivate the next generation of security leaders.

Training Build On Purpose, Not Habit

Many companies train because regulations require it. Guardian trains because excellence demands it.

Our bi-monthly mandatory trainings, paired with optional specialty workshops, follow a learning strategy rooted in three core principles:

1. Spaced Repetition Improves Retention

Distributing training throughout the year helps officers retain more, apply more, and perform better under pressure.

How Training Becomes a Career Path

Guardian’s training program serves as a bridge to advancement — whether an officer’s goal is Executive Protection, Mobile Patrol, supervision, or specialized roles.

Why Our Approach Works

Our program is built around human performance:

This approach sets Guardian apart from firms relying on compliance-only training models. Our training prepares officers for the field, for promotion, and for long-term success.

When I was asked to write about our core values, and whether I preferred to focus on one or all of them, I quickly realized how difficult it is to separate them. Each value is deeply connected to the others, and together they shape who we are as individuals and as an organization. When I reflect on Character, for example, I naturally begin to think about Attitude, Appearance, Attendance, Honesty, Customer Service, and Integrity. Our values do not stand alone; they work together every day in how we represent Guardian.

When I think about character on a personal level, I think about showing up to work with a good attitude and looking my best. There have been many times when I have been stopped by someone who says, “My son works for your company,” or “My daughter works for Guardian,” whether they are referring to our dispatchers or even our CEO and COO’s family. Moments like that remind me that when I step out in uniform, I am representing more than myself. I want to be the best representative of Guardian that I can be. In that single thought, I’ve already touched on two other core values: Attitude and Appearance.

Character, by definition, is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. It serves as the foundation of our ethical compass and is reflected through our principles, actions, and consistency. A person of strong character demonstrates responsibility, fairness, and respect for others. While character influences how others perceive us, more importantly, it reflects who we truly are.

Character is displayed in our attitude, which shapes how we approach challenges and interact with others. A constructive, solution-oriented attitude fosters resilience, cooperation, and teamwork. Often, attitude becomes the deciding factor in outcomes, influencing both personal motivation and group dynamics.

Patrol Officers are a critical part of Guardian Protection Force’s frontline operations. This role places officers in a position of trust and independence, responsible for the safety and security of multiple sites while conducting mobile patrols in company-provided vehicles. As the sole officer assigned to these areas, Patrol Officers must stay alert, make sound decisions, and represent GPF with professionalism.

Beyond patrols, Patrol Officers respond calmly to incidents, provide strong customer service to clients and the public, complete accurate reports, and escalate situations to law enforcement when needed. Success in this role comes down to judgment, communication, and a commitment to GPF’s core values – attitude, appearance, integrity, and service.