The mission of the PSA is:
To regulate the activities of those involved in the private security industry to ensure that the interests of consumers are fully protected through the establishment, promotion, monitoring and enforcement of appropriate standards.
The PSA, through its Inspectorate, ensures compliance with licensing regulations by monitoring those who are licensed and by taking action against those in breach of the Private Security Services Acts 2004 and 2011. Licensees are subject to ongoing monitoring through a series of scheduled announced and unannounced inspections. The PSA also investigates complaints or intelligence brought to its attention and depending on the findings can take action up to the suspension and revocation of licences. Our Inspectorate also checks compliance by clients using security services and investigates reports of unlicensed security services.
In the first quarter of 2015, 273 enforcement cases were commenced. 130 of these remained active at the end of the quarter. Cases older than 90 days are kept under constant review. Because of the complexity of some investigations, cases can remain open for considerable periods of time.
The following table shows the compliance action taken against licensees in the first three months of 2015.
Employee Licensing
During the first quarter of 2015, 43 locations across the country were visited to monitor compliance with the licensing regulations by employees. Over 270 premises were visited and 580 security employees met. 98% of those met were licensed while 97% of licensed employee were in compliance with the requirement on wearing ID badge.