Need to regulate security firms

Giving an overview of the private security industry yesterday at a symposium hosted by the Joint Select Committee on National Security at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Belford said an actual accurate figure on the size of private security firms is difficult to obtain.

“About 20 to 25 firms operate officially with an acceptable standard of institutional capacity and functional guidelines,” he said.

Demand for private security services grew by leaps and bounds over the past ten years due to increase in business activity and concerns about violent crime.

Due to the lack of regulation, only firms that employ precepted officers are obliged to register with the Ministry of National Security.

A total of 200 private security companies have been approved to operate as protective service agencies but over 50 percent are now inactive. Belford said several “fly by night” security companies are operating with no approval.

In addition, there are over 8,000 supplemental (precepted) police officers and 24,000 security (non-precepted) officers in TT.

According to Belford, legislative reform is a critical first step in addressing issues within the private security industry. Proposed reform requirements to improve the industry include the establishment of training and operational standards to facilitate certification, and monitoring and inspecting the operations of licensees to ensure compliance.

It was also proposed that character investigations be done and background checks made for applicants.

Current challenges that face the industry, Belford said, include clients continually cutting costs, wage issues, overtime payments and conflict between the Estate Police Association (EPA) and major private security companies, over employment terms and wages.

In addition, he said, some companies recruit undocumented migrants who are subjected to exploitation.

Another challenge is that the relationship between private security companies and the Police is somewhat uncertain.