The Hindu : Front Page : Guidelines issued for private security agencies

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Guidelines issued for private security agencies

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The City Police are now trying to streamline the private security forces. Detailed guidelines have been issued by the police for operating private security agencies in the city.

“There are around 80 agencies employing private security personnel in the city. The number of private security personnel is expected to go up with fast development of the city. It is high time some effort is made to streamline it,” said T. Vikram, Deputy City Police Commissioner.

The move comes in the middle of growing concern about employing private security personnel without proper verification of their antecedents or private security using uniforms resembling that of police or the Army. The guidelines issued now have clearly outlined the role and duties of the security personnel.

The City Police had recently given training to nearly 250 private security personnel to make community policing efficient.

Security personnel were given training in basic physical skills, unarmed combat and made aware about their legal rights.

Detailed training

Along with the 3-day basic training module, the police had also planned a week-long detailed training package, which will be led by police personnel with commando training, anti-sabotage experts and legal experts.

The police have now laid out detailed procedure based on the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act. Private security agencies should register with the Kochi City Police and get registration certificate. The registration will be done after verification of antecedents of the applicant. Existing agencies should apply to the City Police in a month.

Interaction

A private security agency is expected to start functioning within six months of registration. As part of the preliminary steps towards enhancing the interaction between the police and private security agencies, all sub-inspectors in the city limits will keep a database of private security personnel operating in their police station limits.

On their part, the security personnel are also encouraged to maintain a close interaction with the Station House Officer of police station in their area.

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