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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg |
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Second Reading Speech for The Private Security
Industry Bill 2007, Ministry of Home Affairs |
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Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Bill
be now read a second time. |
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Impetus for the Bill |
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In the post 9/11 security environment, the
Government has enhanced our security measures in key installations and
upgraded the capabilities of our security forces to deal with the new
threat of terrorism. |
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However, the police cannot be everywhere.
Therefore, it is imperative that we also upgrade the professional
standards in the private security industry, so that it can complement
the work of our security forces in contributing to Singapore’s overall
safety and security. |
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The critical role of security personnel can
be seen in the many incidents that have occurred in the region and
elsewhere in the world. In both the Marriott and Australian Embassy
bombings in Jakarta, security personnel had approached the vehicles
loaded with explosives before the vehicles were driven up to the
buildings proper. |
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As a result, the suicide bombers detonated
their bombs earlier than planned - before they could position their
vehicles near the buildings, where the explosion would have caused many
more casualties. |
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As the security threat evolves, we
will need to ensure that we have a competent and professional
private security industry to help safeguard our safety and
security. This is the impetus for the key changes that the Bill is
introducing. |
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Introduction of licensing regimes
for private investigators and security officers |
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Sir, let me now take the House through
the key features of the Bill. |
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First and foremost, we have to
strengthen our regulatory framework for private investigators and
security officers—or what are commonly known as “security
guards”—by putting in place separate licensing regimes for them. |
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Security officers guard many of our
shopping malls, commercial buildings, hotels and key
installations. They should be alert in detecting and reporting
potential threats. Their timely reports of any suspicious activity
can bring about expeditious action by law enforcement agencies. At
the same time, they are an additional resource in our response to
security incidents. |
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Let me cite an example. About 2 months
back, the SCDF received an anonymous call before noon, informing
them that a bomb was going to explode at the Raffles Place.
Together with the security officers deployed in the vicinity,
Police immediately checked the vicinity of Clifford Centre where
the call was traced to. A security officer deployed at the
Clifford Centre assisted the Police in reviewing the CCTV
recording and provided information that helped to identify the
likely culprit. |
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That same afternoon, there was a
second call to the SCDF informing them that bombs had been planted
at Orchard Road and Tanjong Pagar. This time, the call was traced
to International Plaza. Police responded immediately. Security
officers deployed at the location again assisted the Police in
reviewing the CCTV recording. |
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The likely culprit of the morning
episode was again identified in this set of CCTV recording. A
quick search was done in the vicinity and the culprit was arrested
following his admission to making both the bomb hoax calls. |
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This example shows the value of
well-trained and vigilant security officers who can complement our
security forces. We are therefore introducing an enhanced
regulatory regime, where all security officers, and private
investigators as well, will be licensed personally, so that: |
a. it will enable the
licensing authority to conduct the necessary background checks
and prevent undesirable elements from operating as security
officers or private investigators; and
b. it will enable the
licensing authority to specify the requisite skills and
qualifications that private investigators and security
officers should have. In time to come, the licensing authority
may require security officers who work at more sensitive
installations, where the security threat is higher, to possess
higher level qualifications and skills.
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This licensing regime will also apply
to those security officers and private investigators in the direct
employment of building owners or businesses, and who currently do
not need Police's approval to work. |
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More..... |
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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg News 27 Aug
2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Wed 5 September 2007
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