How we operate — legally and ethically
Protective work carries real responsibility. Here's how Phalanx stays licensed, insured, and accountable across Memphis and Nashville.
Licensing — Tennessee
There is no federal license for protective services; the industry is regulated state by state. Because Memphis and Nashville are both in Tennessee, Phalanx operates under a single state regime — administered by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance's Private Protective Services program.
- Contract security company license
Phalanx holds a Tennessee contract security company license with a designated qualifying agent who carries legal responsibility for operations.
- Individual officer registration
Every protector is registered with the state, fingerprinted, and background-checked before working a single assignment.
- Unarmed vs. armed
Unarmed officers complete state-required training and registration. Armed protectors hold a separate armed-guard registration with documented firearms training and live-fire qualification.
- Carry across state lines
LEOSA (H.R. 218) does not extend to private security, so armed protection is provided only where our protectors are state-licensed to carry. Out-of-state movements are coordinated with locally-licensed partners.
Insurance
Protective work — especially armed work — carries real liability. Phalanx maintains a layered insurance program and can furnish certificates of insurance (COIs) to clients and venues on request.
- General liability
Occurrence-based general liability at $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, the industry baseline; higher limits available for venues and enterprise clients.
- Armed coverage
Standard liability policies exclude assault & battery and firearms incidents — the very claims that matter. Our armed program carries explicit assault & battery, use-of-force, and firearms-liability endorsements.
- Auto & workers' comp
Commercial and hired/non-owned auto for protective driving and armored movements, plus workers' compensation covering every protector.
- Excess & specialty
Umbrella/excess layers for executive-protection and high-threat work. Kidnap & ransom support is available — and, per industry rules, handled in strict confidence.
How we operate — legally and ethically
Phalanx is built as a licensed agency, not an anonymous gig marketplace. That structure protects clients and protectors alike.
- W-2 / agency model
Protectors work under Phalanx's license and insurance — not as untracked 1099 contractors. This is the defensible, accountable model the industry standard requires.
- Written use-of-force policy
Every protector operates under a written use-of-force policy and assignment-specific post orders, acknowledged in writing.
- Screening & training records
FCRA-compliant background screening, drug testing, and maintained training and qualification records for every protector.
- Confidentiality
Client identity, schedules, routes, and threat information are protected by NDA and strict data-handling controls. Discretion is the product.
This page is provided for general information about how Phalanx operates and is not legal advice. Private-security regulation changes frequently and varies by jurisdiction. For authoritative requirements, consult the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and qualified counsel.