Taking Responsibility for Your Security
11 January 2006
Media Release
The recent Bali bomb blasts in October 2005 serve to remind us that Singapore is not immune to terrorist attacks. There is a need to be continually vigilant against terrorism and other threats which may affect our society and economy. Owners of businesses and the buyers of security services need to play their part in the maintenance of the safety and security of the nation, by taking responsibility for the security of their own premises.
2 The private security industry is a key strategic partner of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the fight against terrorism. Security guards are employed to safeguard properties and premises, serving as a vital link in our counter terrorism efforts. In order to professionalize the image of security officers and to attract more Singaporeans to this sector, the Security Industry Regulation Department (SIRD) announced the plan to upgrade the industry since its formation in September 2004. As far back as 2002, the then Police Licensing Division required all deployed security officers to go through the National Skills Recognition Scheme (NSRS). Starting from 1 June 2005, being armed with this NSRS certification is mandatory before the security officers can be deployed to clients’ sites. This will ensure that the officers are equipped with basic certified skills which enable them to discharge their duties professionally.
3 In an effort to further revamp the security industry, a Security Industry Forum was also formed in 2005 to take on the task. The Forum consisted of SIRD, together with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Union of Security Employees (USE) and two industry associations, Security Association Singapore (SAS) and Association of Certified Security Agencies (ACSA).
4 The Security Industry Forum embarked on several initiatives under the Job Recreation Programme (JRP). One of the main initiatives was to implement a career progression path for the security officers. For example, the security officers who have attained basic skills level under NSRS can be trained for more challenging tasks which will lead to advance skills certification. He/she can also look forward to promotion to security supervisor or even security manager as career advancement.
5 Besides a better career path, the structured training which the security officers received also help to boost their salary. Prior to the NSRS requirements, security officers only earned about $800 to $1000 a month, gross. Now, their salary has improved by as much as 25%, with gross basic pay ranging from $1300 to $1800 per month, depending on the skill level and responsibilities assumed. This would attract more professionally-trained locals to join the security industry, which will result in higher service quality in long term.
6 During today’s “Buyers’ Awareness Security Seminar”, the prototype customized uniform for private security officers was unveiled by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister for State. Led by USE, a standardized uniform for private security sectors was created so as to project a more professional image for the security industry. The pilot project on the prototype uniform involved three security agencies, namely Aetos Security Management Pte Ltd, Premier Security and Kingston Security and an estimated 1500 security officers. The new uniform was designed based on key considerations like design & material, highly operational, equipping and with a professional and modern outlook.
7 The security awareness exhibition cum seminar, which was jointly organized by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and in collaboration with MOM, USE, ACSA and SAS, aimed to further emphasize the importance of good security and to increase security awareness among buyers of security services. The theme for the event `Taking Responsibility for Your Security’ reflected the role of buyers of security services in the maintenance of security. As part of the seminar, participants were briefed on the value of good security and what they could expect from the private security industry; the current threat environment and initiatives that would be implemented by SPF to enhance the overall level of professionalism of the industry.
8 In the year ahead, more strategic initiatives will be introduced to further transform the industry into one that is more professional and respected. These will include the promulgation of codes of conduct for security officers and agencies stipulating minimum levels of performance and professionalism; the introduction of standardized uniform for security officers as part of the job recreation effort and the implementation of a grading system for security guard agencies to better inform buyers of the quality of services they are procuring.
