The mission of the PSA is:
To regulate the activities of those involved in the private security industry to ensure that the interests of consumers are fully protected through the establishment, promotion, monitoring and enforcement of appropriate standards.
The PSA, through its Inspectorate, ensures compliance with licensing regulations by monitoring those who are licensed and by taking action against those in breach of the Private Security Services Acts 2004 and 2011. Licensees are subject to ongoing monitoring through a series of scheduled announced and unannounced inspections. The PSA also investigates complaints or intelligence brought to its attention and depending on the findings can take action up to the suspension and revocation of licenses. Our Inspectorate also checks compliance by clients using security services and investigates reports of unlicensed security services.
In the first 9 months of 2016, the PSA has commenced 555 enforcement cases. 225 of these remained active at the end of the quarter. Cases older than 90 days are kept under constant review. Because of the complexity of some investigations, cases can remain open for considerable periods of time. In addition, 1,067 security employees were interviewed, of which 98.4% were licensed.
The following table shows the compliance action taken against licensees January to September 2016:
Inspection Visits to Property Management Companies
In 2016 the Authority’s inspectors visited the premises of property management companies in relation to the engagement of electronic security installers for clients’ properties. Almost 470 property management companies were visited over the country and the information gleaned from that will be analysed and, where appropriate, action may be taken against any installer found to be providing a service without a licence.
Licensing of Locksmiths
S.I. 343 of 2016, which was signed in July 2016, introduced the licensing of locksmith contractor activities for the first time following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders. While the date from which it is illegal to provide a locksmith service is in February 2017 the Compliance & Inspectorate Division will be working closely with our colleagues in Contractor Licensing Division to ensure that compliance with the prescribed standard is adhered to by all licence applicants. In addition once licensing is a legal requirement the Compliance & Inspectorate Division will be targeting those who are carrying out licensable locksmith services without a licence with a view to taking enforcement action against those operating illegally.