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Establishing links within the police service in order to enhance the role of the security industry in the wider policing family has certainly been a long-term project for the British Security Industry Association (BSIA).

The Association’s Police and Public Services (PPS) Section is at the very heart of this project. Work to date has included PPS Section chairman Michael Lee of Constant Security Services making a presentation to an ACPO Plural Policing Working Group. Michael informed the audience – which included representatives from several police forces, the Home Office, Skills for Justice, Centrex and the Association of Chief Police Officers – of the extensive work carried out by the private security industry in policing and public services roles.

Projects reinforce the message

The prevailing message of the presentation was that the wider policing family is a reality, and that tangible evidence of this can be found in the many projects already being successfully undertaken by BSIA Member Companies.

As part of the presentation, Michael unveiled details of case studies focusing on this area – encompassing the management of custodial suites through to the supply of Street Wardens and the provision of juvenile escort services.

The presentation was extremely well received, and served to remind police forces that the private security industry is both a valid and supportive partner.

Following on from the presentation, a number of police forces have contacted the BSIA for information about its Member Companies and their capabilities.

In addition, the BSIA is a member of the Home Office Industrial Estates Working Group, which is now looking to formulate Best Practice crime prevention-based procedures for security and wider policing family partnerships in the Industrial Estate environment. The BSIA is relaying the private security industry’s perspectives on Industrial Estate security, and is providing examples of Best Practice techniques where private security companies are working closely within a partnership framework – alongside the police, for example – to enhance security and reduce crime.

BSIA deputy chief executive Stefan Hay is also building key links with the police service through regular lectures for the Police National Search Centre’s Police Security Co-ordinator Foundation Course (run within the Private Security Issues module).

The course is aimed at the rank of Superintendent and above, targeting police personnel held responsible for large-scale or significant security operations. An ideal platform for nurturing good relationships with the senior police officers of the future.