Government leadership needed on security standards
As governments grapple with the problem of how to reach agreement on national standards for the security industry, the image of the sector is beginning to be affected. Leigh Funston reports on industry growth and the need for government action on national standards.
Increased demand by federal and state governments for security products and services has helped fuel the massive growth of the Australian security industry.
"The security industry is growing at a faster rate than both the police and the Australian population, and available figures indicate the industry is now larger in numbers than the conventional police forces, by two to three fold," the chief executive officer of the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL), Bryan de Caires said in a submission to government this year.
Annual revenues generated by the security industry amount to more than $4.5 billion dollars and the sector now employs more than 150,000 people.
Mr de Caires told ASM that a "significant proportion" of the $4.5m in security revenue was linked to government expenditure.
The recent APEC meetings held around Australia prompted significant security investment by governments. Security assets at critical sites were significantly upgraded and more than 1500 private security personnel were employed by governments to help protect members of the APEC delegations.
Mr de Caires said that without the input and expertise of the security industry, the Australian Government would not have been able to host the APEC meetings.
Dr Tina Webber, senior security research manager in the UK told delegates attending a security conference in Australia earlier this decade that private security agencies around the world were becoming an integral part of daily life.
"Private security contractors have become responsible for ensuring public safety and protecting private and public property in a variety of locations including high risk areas such as power plants, banks and airports," Dr Webber said.
"They are also increasingly providing security at public events and escorts for high risk transports and are taking over functions previously supplied by police, fire and ambulance services.”
Industry needs governments to legislate
In Australia, the security industry has reached the point in its growth where it needs governments at state and federal levels to legislate to achieve national, enforceable standards for the industry.
"The enlargement of private-public security partnerships in critical sites such as ports and airports, makes greater professionalism of the industry a necessity for Australia to meet the security challenges of the 21st century," Mr de Caires said.
Crucial COAG talks between the federal and state governments at the beginning of this year aimed at creating national standards for the security industry broke down. It is clear that these talks need to be revived early in the life of the newly elected Australian Government.
ASIAL made a strong submission to COAG on the need to harmonise private security industry regulation.
Main concerns
The main concerns outlined by ASIAL were:
- licence portability - there is a need to adopt a system similar to that which applies to the issuing of drivers licences whereby the holder of a licence can move from one jurisdiction or state to another and continue their work in the security industry
- training standards - important that entry-level training requirements for security personnel are not raised too quickly, too early because there is a real danger that such action will exacerbate the manpower shortages in the industry
- boost focus on the business owner/operator - any initiative to raise standards in the industry should not be focused solely on the individual security management professional but extend to the owners and operators of security companies. A comprehensive compliance program is key to a successful outcome
- industry wide scope - the focus on raising standards should not be centred just on private security guards but rather all the segments of the industry. ASIAL expressed its concern that COAG might decide to not include the electronic sector of the security industry in the national standards and thereby create a "two-tiered system of licensing"
- co-regulation - any initiatives by governments must include the involvement of industry in the ongoing regulation and monitoring to ensure national standards are maintained. ASIAL recommended industry involvement could be based on "an elected or appointed council or consultative board".
ASIAL has invested significantly in the development of a Centre for Compliance to lift standards in the industry. But of course the compliance program is only relevant to members of ASIAL.
Problem on national standards
The problem on national standards was acknowledged by the federal Attorney General, Philip Ruddock during his address at the ASIAL national conference in Sydney in the middle of this year.
Mr Ruddock told delegates action was needed to develop "clear standards for security practice" across Australia.
"Standards need to be developed by industry for industry," he said.
Mr Ruddock told ASM that he wanted to see action on standards occur as quickly as possible but he refused to be drawn on a timetable for change.
However, if change is to be achieved, industry cannot do it on its own because it does not have the legislative power to enforce change and ensure uniformity across state boundaries.
Mr Caires said that governments in Australia can also play a leadership role to lift salary levels in the industry.
"State and Federal government departments have contributed to forcing rates down to often unsustainable economic levels. This has led some security providers to compromise standards and service delivery through cost-cutting measures in order to stay in business and maintain contracts.
"If Government is genuine about raising the quality of service provided by the security industry, it needs to lead by example and review its own procedures and criteria for awarding security contracts."
Given the huge growth in the roles and responsibilities of the Australian security industry and the increased demands placed on security management professionals, the issue of national standards is one that will become more pressing. The time for action is upon us.
About the author: Leigh Funston is a former editor of Australian Security Magazine.