Colin Harris has an office filled with autographed concert memorabilia, including a black and white photo signed by the late B.B. King. How did he manage to meet some of the most prolific musicians to have ever visited Manitoba?
He worked as a security guard.
In 2001, Harris lost his wife to breast cancer. Shortly after his wife’s passing, he was asked to work security at a Headstones concert. The interactions at his posts and camaraderie he developed with his team helped him ease through the healing process of losing a loved one. He was later happily remarried to a wonderful woman.
After working for many years at OBO Security and eventually as a Manager at Paladin Security, Harris joined Toro Security in 2011. At the time, the on-demand security company provided other security providers with additional staff for large events. Harris saw an opportunity to cut out the middle man and save on costs for their clients.
In 2012, Toro Security was rebranded and restructured to become Toro Security & Event Services Inc. Since its inception ten years ago, the independently-owned and operated company has grown from offering basic on-demand security to providing crowd management for events with over 30,000 attendees. Their services include:
•Event-based security
•Corporate security
•Construction sites
•Mobile security
•Personal home security
•Loss prevention for retail outlets
“We pride ourselves in being owner-managed and security-focused,” says Harris. “We will always try to match the right post to the right guard.”
Their event-based staff consists of over 100 trained guards, and current portfolio includes security orders for the Red River Exhibition, TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair.
“At some points, we have up to 150 security guards working at one time,” says Scheduling and Operations Supervisor Bien Cudia, who schedules all events. His role is to ensure everyone arrives on time and is the right guard for the assigned post.
In the Filipino community, they provide security for the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), and also offer services for debuts and socials.
Toro Security & Event Services recently opened a branch in Brandon, and provides services all throughout Manitoba. They currently offer specialized training in:
•Cultural Awareness
•Customer Service Skills
•Behaviour and Crisis Management
•Basic Self Defense and Handcuffing
•Commercial Building Dynamics
•Crowd Management
•Critical Emergency Response
•Communications
•Hotel Security
•CPR First Aid
•Loss Prevention (LPO)
•Event Security Strategies
•Report Writing and Note Taking
•Spontaneous Edge Weapon Defense
•Preventing Workplace Bulling and Harassment
•Suicide Awareness
•Mental Health Awareness
•Liquor Commission Guidelines
“The whole security industry is changing, and now it’s becoming more customer-service oriented,” says Harris. “We look for people who can converse with others and have respect for those around them.”
Toro Security & Event Services employs a wide spectrum of individuals with various professional backgrounds, ranging from doctors to high school drop-outs.
“So many people rely on us, whether they’re working full-time or part-time. There’s a strong team spirit here and everyone helps each other. Our staff truly feels like they’re a part of something.”
They offer one of the most cost-effective security training courses for those interested in becoming a security guard. To obtain a license, potential applicants must be over the age of 18 and pass Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry Checks. The mandatory 40-hour security guard course is offered at the Toro Security & Event Services office.
Looking towards the future, Harris and his team hope to continue developing their security company in the areas of career development, self-defense for women and corporate security.
“We hope to grow to a point where we can offer lifelong jobs and positions for our staff.”
Toro Security & Event Services is looking for outgoing personalities to join their dynamic team for summer events and their year-long roster. To apply, visit their office at 1151 Henderson Hwy. and see Bien Cudia or visit torosecurity.com.
