Private security regulations in brief

Security guards, where do you encounter them? We are surrounded by them just about everywhere. At shopping centres, at work places, hospitals, schools and many other places.

Do you know that they have to comply with the law? Did they follow the correct procedure to become guards?

Everyone who intends to offer services within the private security industry is required to be properly trained with an accredited training centre. They must also be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira).

To be considered for registration, applicants must meet the following requirements:

– Must be 18 years or older

– Must be a South African resident

– Must not have committed any of the scheduled criminal offences listed in the Private Security Industry Regulation Act

– Must have completed training at an accredited training centre

– Must not be a member of any official military, security police or intelligence force in South Africa or elsewhere (clearance certificate is required for former members).

The authority introduced the inspection of individual security officers and through these inspections, they aim to address and eliminate non-compliance within the security industry. Any person found to be performing security duties without proper training and registration with the authority is in breach of the law and thus, subject to persecution. The authority emphasises the importance of proper training to ensure security officers are equipped to carry out their duties in protecting the country, its assets and most importantly, its citizens.

Psira is, among others, responsible to keep a computerised database consisting of all registered security officers and security businesses.

Through their records, they are able to assist in tracking down security officers who commit crime.

A security service provider (company) who has been found guilty of improper conduct in terms of the procedures as contemplated in the Psira Regulation Act, is subject to the following punishment;

– A warning or reprimand

– Suspension of registration as a security service provider

– Withdrawal of registration as security service provider

– A fine not exceeding R10 000, which is payable to the authority

– A publication of appropriate details of the conviction of improper conduct and any penalty imposed.