What is Sheepdog?

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“Security Like No Other.”

-Levi J. French, Founder and Director of Sheepdog Protective Services, LLC

Sheepdog Protective Services is a certified woman-owned, small business security company located out of Central Pennsylvania. Just as a Sheepdog protects its herd, our company strives to protect our people, to protect our herd. We first got our start in May 2016, after multiple steno pads full of notes and ideas began to grow and truly come to life as a company. Our director and founder, Levi French, saw an obvious need for a new type of security service because let’s face it – the security industry isn’t booming with reputable figures or standards. Security officers are often referred to as “Mall Cops” or “Rent-A-Cops” and most companies are only concerned with how to make a “quick buck.” This is where Sheepdog wanted to be different, this is where we wanted to come in and change the industry.

Our certified small business gives employees and clients alike a family oriented feeling. When you call Sheepdog as a client, we want you to feel as though you are calling someone who you personally know and trust, we want you to be able to depend on us to always be there to protect you and your assets from harm. Likewise, when you work as an employee for Sheepdog, we want you to feel confident and safe in your position, we want to always help promote personal growth and development. Sheepdog is able to provide absolute protection to our clients because we keep our employees happy and our company morale high.

From the very beginning, Sheepdog’s goal was always to consider and integrate new technologies in order to enhance the quality of service we provide to our clients. Sheepdog utilizes multiple technologies that allow employees to outperform your average security officer. One of the most prevalent technologies currently being used throughout our business is a completely cloud-based, mobile reporting, dispatching, and response app. Clients can report real-time incidents that elicit an immediate officer response to their location. Everything from the time the officer receives the call, to the time the officer closes their report is time stamped and documented with a specific incident report number. This report number can then be provided to clients for future reference and documentation purposes.

Another key factor that sets us apart from other companies in the industry is our belief and understanding that all officers should receive ample, ongoing training to keep their skills and knowledge at an elite level. Therefore, all of our employees at minimum are required to maintain the following training: Company and Client Policies and Procedures, Pennsylvania Law for Security Officers, Report Writing, Incident Investigation, Defensive Tactics, O.C./Pepper Spray Tactics, Baton Tactics, Handcuffing Tactics, Radio Communications, Patrol Vehicle Operations and Tactics, Firearms Simulation Training and Live Firearms Training, and Full Scale Exercise Training.

Different kinds of people get into the security industry for different reasons. Here at Sheepdog, we focus on providing elite service to both our clients and our employees because at the end of the day, they all make up our herd and it is our job to protect the herd.

Starting Sheepdog

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When asked when he first started talking about Sheepdog Protective Services, Director Levi French is modest; he’ll say “Probably not until I was already working as a security guard at HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College).” His mother, President of the company, Tina French, on the other hand, will laugh and reassure you that he has been talking about starting his own security company as far back as his high school career. Levi attended York County School of Technology for their Protective Services program with a focus in Police Science (2007-2011). During that time he was also a part of the Explorers program with the Baltimore County Police Department.

For the duration of the summer preceding his Senior year, Levi worked for a local security business. After graduating from high school, he secured a job with a different local security company. In working here, his interest in security truly began to grow. A few months into his employment, he obtained his ACT 235 (State Security Certification). With this certification in hand, he received a set location on an armed parking lot contract at HACC York Campus. This placement quickly turned into a new job opportunity for Levi, as he got hired on as a casual officer in November 2011. He worked this “as needed” schedule for a year and a half before being hired on as a full-time officer in January 2013. From May to October of 2018 Levi acted as an interim supervisor before officially becoming the head of security at the York Campus.

In working at HACC, Levi met a student who ran a small scale security business and was looking for extra help. Levi and a few of his friends began working armed, plain clothed security for this company. After some time, he ended up working with the owner to help him create a second branch of his security company. When Levi presented everything he had put together, the name presented was “Sheepdog Protective Services.” Thankfully, the owner was not a fan and nothing ever progressed any further between the two. However, this entire process got the wheels turning (or should I say the steno pad pages turning) in Levi’s mind for starting his own company. He thought, “I could really do this myself, and I think I could do it even better than it’s currently being done.” Having now worked with three very different security companies, one a large scale company, one a mom and pop business, and one a lower scale organization Levi was able to consider the good and the bad of each aspect and the services offered.

While all of this was ongoing, Tina French was in the process of partnering with a friend to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant. But as luck would have it, someone came in at the last minute and bid on the contract for the property they had already picked out. While Tina was still recovering from this upset, Levi approached her about obtaining her detective’s license and helping him start up their own security company. Tina made him attend small business mentoring courses (SCORE) with her before she would agree to this partnership.

In 2015, Sheepdog Protective Services obtained their LLC, and in May 2016 they officially opened their doors. Fast forward to current day, Levi now runs the operational side of the company and Tina runs the administrative end of things. Sheepdog has since grown to over 65 employees and continues to expand and grow daily.