How does the level of training and regulation for security personnel compare with that of the police?

It is commonly accepted that the training and regulation of private security officials and personnel have been far below standard until roughly the early 1990s. They were in fact not adequately trained to perform the tasks and procedures that were expected of them on a daily basis. The establishment of regulations and certified training aimed to close the gap that existed between police and private security personnel.That being said, there are still differences that exist between the two groups when one compares the level of training and regulation.

     Efforts have been made to increase the amount of training that private security personnel receive. This includes pre-assignment training as well as on-the-job training. The Private Security Task Force recommended that private security personnel underwent at least 8 hours of formal pre-assignment training and a minimum of 32 hours of basic training within the first three months of the assignment of which only 16 hours can be supervised on the job training. The various bills introduced debated the training times but it is fair to say that it never even came close to the training police officers receive.  

     Private security personnel’s training is dwarfed by the 720 hours of basic training police officers receive before being certified according to a study by the Associated Criminal Justice and Security Consultants. They also found that the training private security personnel receive is often completed by watching an orientation video. This being said I am of the opinion that the introduction of degree and master’s degree programs and an increase in training programs for private security personnel can balance the scale in terms of training. However it remains up to companies and organizations to enforce these standards and only employ people with the proper qualifications and training.

     In terms of regulation and jurisdiction there also exist some differences and in some cases it is the cause of problems. There is a distinct lack of progress in establishing regulation for the field of private security and the absence of uniformity in some cases might add support to the negative view police officers hold against private security personnel. This being said, ASIS are making efforts to establish industry wide standards and regulations which is evident from their involvement in the passing of the Private Officer Employment Standards Act of 2002.

     I am of the opinion that private security is still behind police in terms of both training and regulations. That being said, huge efforts are made to level the playing field. The increase in training programs and degree programs are evident of this. The police are regulated by the government and private security needs the same kind of authoritative body to oversee it, establish standards and work in close partnership with government. ASIS seems to be the logical choice but then the industry most join the movement and voice it support in a more proactive manner.

JJ Gericke