The consultation will be used to determine how the industry in Northern Ireland should be regulated in the future. The paper will consider three main areas:
– A review of the impact of SIA licensing since its introduction in December 2009
– Options for future regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland
– Northern Ireland specific issues
The consultation seeks views on the following:
– Training for door supervisors.
– Whether licences should be transferrable between jurisdictions
– Whether private investigators should be regulated
– The issuing of SIA licences to ex-prisoners with conflict related convictions
– Whether vehicle immobilisation on private land (wheel clamping, blocking-in, towing away) should be banned in Northern Ireland
David Ford said: “The private security industry plays an important role in the security of our property, possessions and people; from the security guard in our local shopping centre to the door supervisor in a night club. It impacts on nearly everyone in society.
“This consultation will help to develop recommendations aimed at ensuring the industry provides an effective and efficient service in Northern Ireland.
“It seeks views on a number of important issues and I would encourage all who have an interest in the private security industry to respond.”
The closing date for responses is Friday 24 August 2012. The consultation paper is available from the Department of Justice website.