BSIA launches Police and Public Services Section

Chief executive David Dickinson used the IFSEC Exhibition and Conference at the Birmingham NEC to officially launch the British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) all-new Police and Public Services Section – formed in direct response to the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and the ever-changing responsibilities of the private security sector.

The new section – which already boasts 25 members, and held its first official meeting in March – will comprise companies that provide support services to the police and the local community which are distinct from those covered by the existing BSIA Manned Security Section.

Companies involved will be those providing the following services: community support, court-warrant, custody assistance, immigration, lost/found/seized property management, parking enforcement officers, prisoner escort, prison management, scenes of crime protection, statement taking, street patrols, police and public services specific training and warden schemes.

Key responsibilities of the new section encompass liaison with Government and the police service to achieve effective co-operation, providing advice on (and contributing towards) relevant legislation, developing standards and “raising awareness of the activities and priorities of its members.”

Speaking at the launch David Dickinson said: “There are already a good many schemes in place that are achieving excellent results, ranging from Community Wardens through to private security officers working in custody suites. It must be stressed that such activities are designed to support the police so that they can carry on with their core duties. It’s not about replacing them.”

Richard Childs, chief constable of Lincolnshire Police and a member of the SMT Editorial Advisory Board, was also present at the launch. He told SMT: “I welcome this initiative by the BSIA. I think it’s fair to say that ACPO needs all the help it can muster in building public confidence. We must also concentrate on detecting and reducing crime, so we are looking to the private security sector to assist us with some of our workload. That said, standards of conduct and operational integrity will be crucial if the private sector is to provide support.”

  David Dickinson concurred: “The issue of trust is a crucial one,” he said. “When the policeman on the beat can fully trust his private sector partner, that will be the day when we’ve really achieved something. The Guardsafe scheme being run and supported by Noble Security Services and its partners in the Trafford Park Security Initiative is a great example of this. There are two young police officers and a committed contractor forging excellent links between the public and private sectors” (‘Guardsafe scheme energised as 20 officers pass training course’, News, SMT, May 2002, pp14-15).