What you may and may not do.
WHAT PRIVATE SECURITY IS
A service regulated separately from policing, with no police powers.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether your intended activity requires a licence, and from whom.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED
Registration of the company A licence to operate as a private guard company Compliance with ownership and directorship requirements Staff vetting and training requirements Renewal, periodically
WHY OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS MATTER
Regulations frequently restrict who may own or direct a security company.
WHAT TO VERIFY
The current requirements, directly with the regulator.
WHAT SECURITY PERSONNEL MAY GENERALLY DO
Observe and report Control access to private property on the owner's behalf Ask people to leave private property Protect life and property proportionately
WHAT THEY GENERALLY MAY NOT DO
Arrest, beyond what any citizen may do Search people without consent Detain people Carry firearms without specific authorisation Use force beyond what is proportionate
WHY THIS MATTERS ENORMOUSLY
Exceeding these limits exposes the guard, the company and the client to criminal and civil liability.
WHAT TO TRAIN
Exactly what personnel may do, and what to do instead.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT FIREARMS
Whether any personnel are armed, under what authorisation, and what the rules of engagement are.
WHY
It is the highest-risk decision in this business.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
The legal limits, in writing, given to every guard.
WHAT TO RECORD
Every incident involving force or detention.
