Lesson plan

Guardsmark

Guardsmark was a major provider of security services in North America, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Founded in 1963, Guardsmark was the fourth largest security company and the only major provider privately held by one family. The family-run company employed more than 18,900 people with reported revenues of more than $510,000,000.00 in 2005. It claimed to be one of the largest employers of former FBI agents in the United States as well as one of the most selective employers in its industry. The firm marketed itself as offering more rigorous screening of applicants, including in many states, the requirement that applicants submit to a polygraph examination and a drug screen for illicit and prescription drugs before hiring. The firm also sought to enhance the image of security officers (eschewing the alternative designation, "security guard"). Among Guardsmark's distinguishing characteristics were its adoption of a formal Code of Ethics in 1980, and the recognition of President Ira A. Lipman and the company for leadership in the field of business ethics, including receipt of the American Business Ethics Award in 1996. Guardsmark was sold to and absorbed by Universal Protection Service in 2015.

Back to article

Article summary

Guardsmark was a major provider of security services in North America, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Founded in 1963, Guardsmark was the fourth largest security company and the only major provider privately held by one family. The family-run company employed more than 18,900 people with reported revenues of more than $510,000,000.00 in 2005. It claimed to be one of the largest employers of former FBI agents in the United States as well as one of the most selective employers in its industry. The firm marketed itself as offering more rigorous screening of applicants, including in many states, the requirement that applicants submit to a polygraph examination and a drug screen for illicit and prescription drugs before hiring. The firm also sought to enhance the image of security officers (eschewing the alternative designation, "security guard"). Among Guardsmark's distinguishing characteristics were its adoption of a formal Code of Ethics in 1980, and the recognition of President Ira A. Lipman and the company for leadership in the field of business ethics, including receipt of the American Business Ethics Award in 1996. Guardsmark was sold to and absorbed by Universal Protection Service in 2015.

Key claims

  1. date of foundation: 1963 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  2. date of foundation: 2015-04-18 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
  3. publication date: 1994-05-25 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the date of foundation is "1963". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. The record states that the date of foundation is "2015-04-18". What evidence would count against this claim?
  4. The record states that the publication date is "1994-05-25". What evidence would count against this claim?
  5. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  6. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1170190278

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.