Pinkerton’s Rival Sues Over Personality Test

Pinkerton’s Inc., a large security guard company based in Van Nuys, said it was sued by rival Guardsmark Inc., which alleged that Pinkerton’s engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices.

The suit reportedly stems from Pinkerton’s use of a “personality assessment” test used to screen security guards. Guardsmark, a security services concern based in Memphis, Tenn., claimed it has licensed the test from the University of Minnesota and that Pinkerton’s is not licensed.

Guardsmark’s suit seeks to stop Pinkerton’s from using the test or advertising its testing program.

“We believe this lawsuit to be entirely without merit,” Gerard S. Brown, Pinkerton’s executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.