Interviews

SIA proposes code of conduct

by Mark Rowe

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is proposing a draft code of conduct for SIA licence holders and applicants for SIA licences. The SIA is inviting the industry, licence holders, and anyone with an interest in private security, to have its say on the draft, by taking part in a survey. The consultation is due to end on Sunday, February 23.

For the 12-page code, see the online survey.

The idea of the code is to set out standards of conduct and behaviour that the SIA expects people to uphold if they are entrusted with protecting the public, premises, and property. As the regulator says it would give a clear and consistent message to service users, businesses, and employers about what they should expect from SIA badge holders. The SIA also wants it to help licence holders understand what to do when facing challenging situations at work.

As the SIA says, the majority of licence holders uphold the standards of behaviour that the regulator, their employers and the public expect. However, there are incidents in which a minority lower the standard of service the public receives, harm public safety, and bring themselves and the rest of the private security industry into disrepute.

Hence the SIA is suggesting six broad behaviours that licence holders and applicants should follow. These form the framework for the draft code of conduct, and are called The Six Commitments. The intention is that the Code of Conduct would apply to all licensed security operatives, and to applicants. A small number of additional requirements would apply to the ‘controlling minds’ of private security providers (such as company directors). The draft builds on the ‘Standards of Behaviour for Security Professionals‘ published last year.

The SIA’s plan is to make the code mandatory by putting it into the licensing criteria published in ‘Get Licensed‘. This would mean that a licence holder who does not behave in the ways set out in the code of conduct might have their licence suspended and/or revoked. Putting a code of conduct into criteria would ultimately need Home Office political approval.

Ian Todd, SIA Chief Executive, pictured, said: “The draft code of conduct sets out the standards of behaviour which we believe are required of a licence holder, taking into account the challenges faced by security professionals. This draft is based on our years of licensing experience, refined by engagement with key individuals working in the industry. However, we need your input to develop a code of conduct that really works for licence holders, private security businesses, and us. It is therefore imperative that as many licensed security professionals as possible take part in this consultation; we want to hear from you.”

After the consultation, the SIA will analyse the results and publish a report. The SIA will then use the comments it has received to write a final version of the code; which, the Authority stresses, will be subject to final approval by Home Office ministers.

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