It appears that the size and role of the CPSS(civilian private security Services) industry have grown dramatically across the globe in recent years. In spite of controversies on how accurate statistics and data are and what should be counted as private security industry, the substantial growth in most countries of the private security industry is not contested. A few examples include in France, a growth of the industry from 00,000 personnel in 1982 to 160,000 in 2010; in Japan, from 70,000 guards in 1975 to 460,000 in 2003; in South Africa, from 115,000 in 1997 to 390,000 in 2010. In India there are 7 million security personnel, outnumbering police officers 4.98 to 1.
CPSS provide security-related services with the overall objective of protecting or securing people, goods, sites, locations, events, processes and information from predominantly crime related risks. Services which expressly or implicitly have offensive mandates are not included in the CPSS category.
In some countries, like ours CPSS performance is adversely influenced by relatively poor conditions of employment. CPSS need to comply with all relevant national and international laws governing working conditions, and incentives to do so could be included in the legislation. Working in the civilian private security industry can be dangerous with high risk of injury and even death. It is therefore important that measures are taken to minimize the risk of workplace violence and to ensure standards of health care. Appropriate remuneration also ensures high levels of quality and reduces the risks of unfair competition. Authorities should ensure appropriate working conditions conducive to maximizing the effectiveness of CPSS personnel.
Government have a primary duty of protecting the security of their citizens and all persons within their jurisdiction and maintaining and promoting crime prevention and community safety. CPSS working for governments, local communities and the corporate sector may play an important complementary role in preventing crime and enhancing community safety. This is recognized by the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime which encourage government institutions, all segments of civil society and the corporate sector to work together to prevent crime.
Information-sharing is an important aspect of cooperation between legal security actors and CPSS. CPSS often have an obligation to provide public security organs with information about threats and vulnerabilities they become aware of.
Similarly the public security organs can share information obtained with CPSS. This organization makes use of a Fast Fax system in order for information sharing to take place in a fast and efficient way between the public and private sector. Fast Fax systems are also used by various other partnership organizations in the United States of America. Valuable information can then be called in by Members of private security companies. This cooperation also assists police in mapping hotspots for crime.
Adequate training of CPSS personnel is necessary to ensure that they have the essential skills for the performance of their work. To maximize the quality of training, authorities may also consider developing an adequate mechanism of certification to ensure the capacity, integrity and quality of entities and persons providing training.
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