Prologue: 28 October 2009
Imagine a security industry press article in 2009 providing an overview of the state of our industry…
“Members of the security press were pleased to announce that – in spite of the non-believers, critics and sometimes ne’er-do-wells, and after considerable consultation and subsequent implementation over a seven-year period – the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has managed to create a highly productive and successful private security industry. An industry boasting a wealth of expertise, and with a career structure that includes and encompasses the less well-educated members of the sector as well as the educated degree holders.
“As a result, service to the customer base has improved. In addition, the private security industry has acted as a service provider on behalf of the police, enabling members of the UK’s 43 forces to offer a greater service to the public with respect to a host of non-core duties. Such measures have offered more time and greater opportunity for the police service to focus on its primary task – that of policing UK plc. The delicate balance between setting standards so high that they will not cut off the lifeblood of some contractors, and yet make them high enough to satisfy other members of the public and private security service has happily been achieved.
“Meantime, the all-encompassing graded system of education and training has been at the forefront of the successes of regulation. The whole process has been applauded by both the public at large and the police service.”
What would your wish list be for the future of our industry?…
The truth and the fact
It’s a fact that, where employed security staff are concerned, some companies are afraid or ashamed to acknowledge that there are the hitherto ill-educated honest folk with a security bent who have been employed in the security industry and previously had no further training opportunities to ensure advancement or job stability and satisfaction.
Regulation will allow both old and new members of staff to have the opportunity to take part in further education and training. All parties must be willing and, of course, these initiatives may form part of an individual’s contract of employment. They should also help us to solve some of our long-term labour shortage problems.
Hopefully, further initiatives will enable us to take immigrant labour on board, as long as they’re vetted and screened of course (isn’t this carried out by immigration services staff before they enter the UK?). We employ immigrant nurses and doctors, so why not security officers? We do need more career paths, education, training and a living wage commensurate with knowledge and experience. That will attract more staff to the private security industry.
We’re all aware of the capabilities of the security providers, some of whom boast staff with major police, prison or military service experience among the ranks. There are top quality service providers in this industry, and we should be celebrating our successes.
The relevant British Standards have been developed and improved over the years. They are good standards and, properly audited, will continue to serve the security industry well. Alas, the whole of the security industry doesn’t subscribe to that ethos.
Where do we start?
We should start with the positives. For the first time, the industry is enjoying Governmental support. The Government cares about the industry and is prepared, through the SIA, to consult with us in order to ‘get it right’ for the benefit of all. Of course, we’ll have concerns as to the levels of insurance required, not to mention the financial commitment to training that will be needed. Perhaps now is the time to begin lobbying for possible financial assistance and Government support – for both education and training and (possibly) in helping to underwrite the cost of insurance.
The cost of training has always been the bug-bear of security industry service provision. In the past, it has prevented industry growth into more responsible areas for some (but not all) participants in the sector.
Like ourselves, the Government has a positive vision for our future. Therefore, we mustn’t let ourselves down by worrying about who has the biggest voice. Our experience to date has shown that we shall all have a voice and a chance to debate. Haven’t we already?
All security companies must realise that, whether large or small, they’ll be regulated. But isn’t that what unites Trade Associations, educational institutions and private Members’ Guilds in the security industry? It must be about standards, or it’s about nothing.
The first rule for security companies and the industry is not to panic. Experience tells us that, as with any great period of change, a lead-in time is needed. What would you say to one year-to-18 months of consultation followed by a full three-to-five-year lead-in time subject to the area and expertise of duties to be carried out?
I think I could manage that in my little company, even if the Working Time Directive is enacted sometime in 2003. Mind you, 2005 would be better!
Opportunities that lie ahead
The new opportunities that we hope will arise from regulation and police service reform will require more measured consultation with the police service, the Home Office and those in the security industry who are prepared to take on the necessary cultural revolution of change.
To whom will security companies be accountable? And what about funding? Where will the money come from both for the police force to employ us as an industry and, second, to fulfil greater education and training needs?
Are security companies to benefit from greater powers? If so, do they really want that responsibility? Can they insure against mistakes?
We will need thorough regulation and consultation in unison with extensive marketing skills to disseminate our professional message to the police service, public and customers alike. We can rise to any and all challenges, but increased levels of training, education, development and service do not come cheap or to the lowest bidder.
One thing is certain. We’ll all need to have stout hearts, strong hands and the will to work together if our dreams are to turn into reality.
