The Hindu : Front Page : Police lay down security standards for hotels

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Sunday, Nov 30, 2008
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Police lay down security standards for hotels

S. Vijay Kumar

Installation of sophisticated gadgets has been made basic requisite
The focus is on coastal districts; CSG to work with defence personnel

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

SENSITISNG THEM: Chennai Police Commissioner K. Radhakrishnan (right), addressing security officers of private hotels at his Office, in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The police have devised a set of safety guidelines for luxury hotels in the State as part of a security exercise that started soon after the terror attack in Mumbai. Installation of sophisticated gadgets such as explosive vapour detectors and surveillance cameras has been made a basic security requisite.

Senior police officers in all Commissionerates and districts have been instructed to convene meetings with hotel representatives and sensitise them on their role in security management.

“We have given detailed instructions with regard to security in hotels and resorts. The focus is more on coastal districts where Coastal Security Group officials will work with defence personnel. Hotel managers have been told to alert the police in the event of any suspicious activity on their premises,” Director-General of Police K.P. Jain, told The Hindu on Saturday.

Chennai Commissioner of Police K. Radhakrishnan listed the basic security standards at a meeting with hoteliers. Emphasis is on deploying trained security personnel, especially ex-servicemen, who have exposure to first-aid, evacuation techniques and relief and rescue operations.

Hotels were asked to ensure that every guest was identified. In the case of foreign nationals, receptionists should verify the genuineness of visa and passport and seek the assistance of intelligence agencies, if necessary. Visuals of the speed dome camera and closed circuit television network would be monitored and stored in a control room with a backup of at least a month.

“We have asked them to furnish details of foreign guests to the local police daily. The guidelines are obligatory, and compliance will be checked at regular intervals. The idea is to drive home the point that security is as important as aesthetics and ambience for a hotel,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

Every hotel would have at least two coordinators to liaise with the police. The layout/building plan should be made available at the reception. “We want them to think beyond conventional safety requirements such as fire fighting equipment and burglar alarms. Having sniffer dogs, X-ray scanning machines and metal detectors have become the order of the day when it comes to security systems.”

Mr. Radhakrishnan said plainclothesmen from different intelligence units would maintain surveillance on luxury hotels. “While recruiting new employees, hotel management should thoroughly verify the antecedents of candidates. They should have their own intelligence gathering mechanism.”

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