How Does Static Guard Work? (On-Site Security Explained)
Static guard = one BSIS-licensed officer, one post, one shift. Written post order, hourly bill, no drive-through.
"Static guard" is industry shorthand for an on-site security officer posted at a fixed location for the duration of a shift — the opposite of a mobile patrol who covers multiple properties from a marked vehicle. This guide explains exactly how a static guard shift is structured in Sacramento: post orders, break coverage, incident escalation, and how the officer's hours actually get billed.
Stormhammer Security runs static posts and mobile patrol across the Sacramento region under CA BSIS PPO #121830.
What a static guard actually does on shift
The officer arrives 15 minutes before shift start for pass-down from the outgoing guard (or from dispatch on a fresh post). They work the post order: monitoring entrances, verifying visitor credentials, conducting interior/exterior rounds on a set cadence, logging incidents, and holding position until relieved. Static means the officer stays on-site the entire shift — not the officer stays in one spot.
Post orders — the written playbook for the shift
Every static post runs off a written post order document (usually 2–6 pages) covering site access rules, checkpoint cadence, incident escalation contacts, prohibited items, uniform and equipment, break coverage, and end-of-shift reporting. Reputable Sacramento vendors write the post order with the client, not for them.
How static guard hours are billed
Straight hourly billing at the contracted rate. Sacramento 2026: unarmed $28–$36/hour, armed $42–$65/hour. Overtime (>40 hrs/week per officer) billed at 1.5x. Federal holidays typically 1.5x. Minimum shift is usually 4 hours. Payroll compliance (W-2, workers' comp) is the vendor's responsibility, not yours.
Static guard vs. mobile patrol — when to use which
Use static when you need continuous presence (dispensary retail hours, construction night-shift, event, cash-handling, front-desk concierge). Use patrol when you need deterrent visits (apartment overnights, HOA, vacant property, warehouse yards). Many Sacramento clients run hybrid — day static + overnight patrol.
ZIPs we cover for how does static guard work
Don't see your ZIP? Call (530) 902-9390 — our 50-mile dispatch radius covers every ZIP in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and most of El Dorado / San Joaquin County.
Common questions
What is a static guard?+
A static guard is a BSIS-licensed security officer posted on-site at a single location for the duration of a shift — as opposed to a mobile patrol officer who covers multiple properties from a marked vehicle.
How much does a static guard cost?+
Sacramento 2026: unarmed $28–$36/hour, armed $42–$65/hour. Minimum shift 4 hours. Overtime 1.5x after 40 hrs/week.
Does a static guard patrol the property?+
Yes — most static posts include interior and exterior rounds at a set cadence (e.g. every 60 or 90 minutes) as documented in the post order. Static refers to remaining on-site, not motionless.
How long does a static guard shift last?+
Standard shifts are 8, 10 or 12 hours. Minimum bill is typically 4 hours. 24-hour coverage runs three officers on a shift rotation with call-out backfill.
Static guard or mobile patrol — which do I need?+
Static for continuous presence (retail, dispensary, front-desk, construction). Patrol for deterrent visits (apartments, HOAs, vacant buildings, warehouses). Ask a local vendor to walk your site — the right answer usually falls out in 15 minutes.
Go deeper — service, patrol & city pages
- Hire a Security Guard — SacramentoSame-day marked patrol from $15/tour. Local dispatch, no national call center.
- Instant Quote — 60 Seconds4-step wizard: property type, coverage, cadence, contact. Priced on screen.
- Hire a Guard for the DaySingle-day event, move-out and pop-up posts.
- Mobile Patrol — SacramentoGPS-tracked tours with photo-verified checkpoints.
Get a Sacramento quote tonight
Sacramento dispatcher answers in person. Marked, GPS-tracked patrol from $15/night. No long-term contract.
Stormhammer Security, Inc. · CA BSIS PPO #121830 · https://sacsecuritypatrol.com/posts/how-does-static-guard-work