The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Police warn unlicensed private security agencies

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Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Police warn unlicensed private security agencies

Special Correspondent

Only 115 private agencies have applied for licence: DGP

— Photo: R.Ravindran

In discussion: Commissioner of Police T.Rajendran addresses the ‘SAFE Chennai’ interactive session organised by CII in Chennai on Friday. DGP K.P.Jain and CII Chennai Zone Chairperson Gayathri Sriram are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Director General of Police K.P. Jain on Friday warned of action against unlicensed private security agencies in the State under the provisions of the Private Security Agency (Regulations) Act, 2005.

At an interactive session on ‘SAFE Chennai’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Mr. Jain said only 115 private security agencies had applied for licence in the State so far. “We have issued licences to 78 agencies. Operating without a licence is a punishable licence…police will prosecute such agencies from January 1.”

He said the police department would soon publish the names of retired police personnel on its official website. “Their name and contact particulars will be posted on the site. The industry can think of employing them or seeking their professional expertise for training and other purposes.”

Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said it was time a Private Security Academy was launched in the city on the lines of the National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad. There was need for professionally qualified private security guards. When compared to the profile of private security agencies in developed countries, India had a long way to go.

“We are ready to support you by way of sharing information and assisting in training. Candidates left out of the recruitment for police jobs can be considered for appointment in private security assignments. Security consciousness has become imperative in the current scenario. We need a well-equipped institution that will enhance the quality of private security,” he said.

Mr. Rajendran said though the strength of the force (Chennai Police) was only 14,000 compared to the population of about 80 lakh, the government had allocated funds for creating elite forces such as the Anti-Terrorism Squad in major cities, including Chennai. “We also have the Tamil Nadu Commando Force that is dedicated to special operations. We have a Standard Operating Procedure and Crisis Management Group to handle emergency situations.”

He said industries should have a security policy and conduct mock drills including anti-sabotage checks and evacuation exercises on their premises. “The industry should have a constant interface with the police and other government agencies. There should be a forum where we can interact and share information. A public awareness strategy is vital.”

Mr. Rajendran said those holding gun licence issued in other States should register with the local police. An amendment in this regard was on the anvil, he added.

CII Chennai Zone Chairperson Gayathri Sriram said the organisation would seriously consider formation of a forum to interact with the police and the government.

CII member S. Sekhar said police were not in a position to avail the services of private security personnel in times of need as they (the latter) were not professionally qualified. “We must promote the business of private security as an industry. There should be degree or diploma courses in private security management as academic learning is important,” he said.

Another member suggested that the list of licensed private security agencies be published enabling industries to employ them.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Shakeel Akhter said the police were focussing on Evaluation, Engineering and Education (EEE) concept to streamline traffic.

“Compared to the previous year, the number of fatal road accidents has come down. There are limitations to enforcement. People have to comply with road safety rules…without traffic discipline no amount of enforcement can yield the desired results,” he said.

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