California Security Firm Sets Sights on Belize for Global Debut

📊 Key Data
  • 8-year-old company: Old Patrolman Guard Services (OLDPGS) is expanding internationally after 8 years in California.
  • First international operation: Belize is the target for OLDPGS's global debut.
  • Regulated sector: Belize's private security industry is governed by the Private Security Industry Act, requiring licensing and background checks.
🎯 Expert Consensus

Experts would likely view this expansion as a strategic test of how American-style private security frameworks can integrate into Central America, with potential benefits for job creation and professionalization but also challenges for local competitors.

3 months ago

California Security Firm Sets Sights on Belize for Global Debut

GARDENA, CA – March 11, 2026 – Old Patrolman Guard Services (OLDPGS), a California-based security provider, has initiated discussions with Belizean authorities to secure licensing for its first international operation. The move represents a significant step for the eight-year-old company, aiming to plant its flag in Central America and test its model on the global stage.

The announcement confirms that the company is in talks to establish and operate a security services firm in Belize, a plan that would introduce a new foreign competitor into the nation's growing private security sector. If successful, the expansion would not only mark a major milestone for OLDPGS but could also serve as a barometer for how American-style private security frameworks integrate within the Central American market.

Exporting a New Standard of Security

Founded in 2018 by Hayson Tasher Sr., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, OLDPGS has built its brand in California on providing a suite of security solutions, including armed and unarmed uniformed officers, alarm response, and investigative support. The company's public image, cultivated through various media features, centers on integrity and a hands-on leadership style. Tasher, who holds a Private Patrol Operator license in California, is often portrayed as being directly involved in field operations, a factor the company uses to differentiate itself in a crowded market.

This expansion is framed as an effort to export this ethos. According to the company, the goal is not merely to expand its footprint but to introduce “structured, licensed security services” and contribute to the development of regulated employment in Belize. The initiative aligns with a vision of professionalizing the security field, a mission Tasher has championed in the U.S.

“Being able to establish licensed employment opportunities while expanding the company’s services internationally is an important step forward,” said Hayson Tasher Sr. in a press release. This statement underscores a dual objective: corporate growth paired with a stated commitment to creating high-quality local jobs.

The services OLDPGS proposes to offer in Belize mirror its U.S. operations, guided by the company’s mottos: “Security you can count on” and “Dedicated to administering a safe and secure environment.” The success of this venture hinges on the company's ability to translate its California-based operational model to a new cultural and regulatory landscape.

Belize at a Security Crossroads

The entry of a foreign firm like OLDPGS comes at a pivotal time for Belize. The nation's private security industry is a burgeoning sector, with demand fueled by concerns over crime and the need to protect assets in the vital tourism and commercial sectors. This has created a landscape populated by a mix of local security providers.

Regulation of the industry falls under the purview of the Ministry of National Security, which enforces the Private Security Industry Act. This legal framework mandates licensing for both security companies and their personnel, requiring background checks and adherence to specific operational standards. OLDPGS will have to navigate this established regulatory process, which is designed to ensure accountability and professionalism within the sector. The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) actively encourages such foreign direct investment, but approval is not a foregone conclusion.

The potential socio-economic impact is multifaceted. On one hand, OLDPGS’s arrival could bring significant benefits. The promise of new jobs, coupled with training programs aligned with “internationally recognized operational standards,” could elevate workforce skills and potentially drive up wages in the local security market. As a foreign direct investment, the company would also contribute to the Belizean economy through capital infusion.

On the other hand, the introduction of a well-capitalized foreign competitor presents a formidable challenge to existing Belizean security businesses. Smaller, local firms may struggle to compete on price, scale, and resources. This could lead to market consolidation and raises questions about the balance between fostering foreign investment and protecting local enterprise. The ability of OLDPGS to integrate respectfully and collaboratively within the local business community will be critical to its long-term success and acceptance.

A Blueprint for Global Ambition

The move into Belize is more than just a single expansion; it is the first concrete step in a much broader and more ambitious global strategy for Old Patrolman Guard Services. Company materials and the founder's public statements reveal a long-term vision that extends far beyond traditional security guarding.

OLDPGS is concurrently pursuing nationwide expansion within the United States while exploring significant diversification. These plans include venturing into the manufacturing and retail of tactical equipment—from uniforms and boots to batons and firearms—and establishing specialized security training centers. The Belize initiative appears to be a calculated test of this expansive vision, a pilot program for international market entry that could be replicated elsewhere if successful.

By establishing a presence in Belize, the company can build a playbook for navigating foreign regulations, managing international logistics, and adapting its services to different cultural contexts. The experience gained in Central America could prove invaluable for future expansions into other regions. This positions the Belize operation not as an endpoint, but as a strategic beachhead in the company's quest to transform the Old Patrolman brand into a global name in the security industry.

Navigating the Path to Operation

Before any operations can begin, OLDPGS faces a series of regulatory hurdles. The path to securing a license in Belize is a formal process that requires more than just discussion. The company will need to officially register as a business in Belize, submit a detailed operational proposal to the Ministry of National Security, and demonstrate that its financial standing and security protocols meet the country's legal requirements.

Furthermore, every security guard employed by the company in Belize will need to be individually licensed, a process that involves background checks and adherence to national training standards. OLDPGS will have to prove that its own training programs meet or exceed those mandated by Belizean law or partner with local entities to ensure compliance.

As the company stated, further updates on licensing and operational timelines will be provided as discussions progress. For now, the announcement signals a clear intent, but the realization of OLDPGS’s Central American ambitions will depend on careful navigation of Belizean law, successful integration with the local community, and the ultimate approval of the country's authorities. The outcome of these negotiations will be watched closely by security industry observers both in the United States and Belize.

Sector: Professional & Business Services
Metric: Financial Performance
UAID: 31211