It is clear that in an age of austerity more will be required from the private security industry to support law enforcement agencies in their role as protectors of the public. Business is looking to the security frontline to become first responders requiring First on Scene skills in the area of First Aid and Fire, as well as becoming their eyes and ears in the growing terrorism threat. Yes, we have heard it all before, the wider police family etc., however, this time with the Olympics looming and a tight hand on the public purse, the opportunity for the security industry to display its true credentials has never been greater.
“The
opportunity for the security industry to display its true credentials has never
been greater”
Key to driving
our industry forward is positive leadership from our trade bodies such as the
BSIA and acceptance by the new government of our true capabilities. The strength
and strategic importance of our industry is not emphasised enough, through unity
and focus, we, as an industry could achieve this. A little known but important
fact is the largest employer on the LSE is a security company. We however cannot
demand respect, we have to earn it.
“We cannot
demand respect, we have to earn it”
By its defensive
nature the security industry tends to focus on the negative. The position is
further aggravated by negative mutterings by the likes of Top Gear presenter,
Jeremy Clarkson and the unsavoury antics of wheel clampers, who have
inexplicably been lumped into our industry by the previous government. This view
is entirely contrary to reality, which is that several hundred thousand men and
woman protect the public and property daily. Annually, it is my privilege to be
one of the judges of the BSIA Security Officer of the Year awards. It is during
this process that you begin to realise the level of performance, dedication,
levels of customer service, life saving actions and bravery that our frontline
personnel deliver selflessly on a regular basis. This is a far cry from some of
the poor perceptions of our industry that are regularly espoused by the ill
informed. It is clear that our industry requires positive vision and leadership
which should emanate from security industry trade bodies.
“Our
industry requires positive vision and leadership which should emanate from
security industry trade bodies”
It is my belief
that one of the flaws in the industry is our wish to create today tomorrow, in
other words we are always one step behind. It is my opinion that the current
approach of our industry is to examine challenges on a piecemeal basis instead
of adopting a holistic approach. Examples include skills development, the
Working Time Directive and company differentiation. My belief is that a holistic
approach is adopted where security industry best process, practice and output is
identified. This will give all stakeholders of the security industry a vision of
excellence instead of focussing on minimum requirements. From this vision,
standards, skill levels and other “items” on the industry’s shopping list could
flow.
“From this
vision, standards, skill levels and other “items” on the industry’s shopping
list could flow”
Part of this
approach would require the regulator, the Security Industry Authority to give
more weight to their relationships with the security industry trade bodies on
industry matters. The trade organisations would in turn have to ensure its
positions are fully mandated by its membership. This appears to be the case with
the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) when the new Chief Executive
James Kelly, committed to offering BSIA members the opportunity to sign off on
key new policies.
Bobby Logue is the Editor of
Infologue.com
