Macro-security being the business of the State, micro-security remains the domain of the individuals or organizations. With a citizen requiring the safety and security of his life and that of his family, property and business, etc and the State increasingly engaged in macro-security because of terrorism, private security business has become as an industry in its own right.
Most clients do not give much weightage to training of the guard force. The mindset that it is not very essential persists among corporate and security executives despite the terrorism targetting Pakistan. Generally there is a pervasive complacency about the need for training. Training is a basic requirement irrespective of every field, far more so in the private security industry. Part of the problem is because a majority of the clients feel secure when they hire ex-servicemen as security guards for their protection, their perception being that since they are trained and disciplined they are adequate for physical security. The fact of discipline aside, many factors do overlap in the training of both service personnel and private security guards, the latter have to contend with entirely different objectives covering disparate responsibilities. Servicemen are not specifically trained to handle the security hazards on a daily and recurring basis that private citizens or organizations face.
Clients generally assume that once a security guard is put into place, one has fulfilled all the requirements of his assigned task and responsibilities. Some minimum aspects of security and safety must be known to security personnel. They should be viz
(1) well aware of the area of the responsibility and that he has oriented himself to what is required to be protected
(2) before taking over the charge of any place or post, he should be clear regarding his assigned responsibilities which include his own appearance and procedures of handing/taking over the duty
(3) must have knowledge about all the security systems like personnel access control, vehicle access control and electronic surveillance/alarm system have been installed and must be capable to operate these systems in a professional manner
(4) The person should be well aware that he is an ordinary citizen and not a policeman, and he is obliged to remain within the bounds of law
(5) One should be capable to use all the means (line phone, wireless & even hand signals) of communication during any emergency situation
(6) Proactive measures to stop any hazards and breach of security must include patrolling and surveillance techniques to cover both the inner or outer parameters to protect the maximum area of responsibility
(7) knowledge of basic first aid is the utmost requirement at the initial stage of any problem that puts the life in danger and
(8) types of the fire hazards should be known before using the fire extinguishers otherwise the results will be severely damaging. Basic training has also to include viz
(9) whether any emergency is man-made or natural (civil disturbance, bomb threats or fire etc), plans must be ready to overcome the situations and evacuation plan be implemented as a last resort
(10) how baton and handcuffs are to used when need arises to control the situation
(11) knowledge of terrorist’s use of latest technology and plenty of resources to damage lives and property
(12) access control by installing better equipment and using the proper procedures for personnel and vehicles as well as use of metal detectors, under-carriage search mirrors, walk-through gates and implementing the visitors card system
(13) Awareness regarding use of force must be known, guards should be made aware of the country’s laws regarding self-defense
(14) Post orders are prepared with the consultation of the customers for better performance and giving clear instructions to the designated persons at specific post
(15) Proper training is required to operate 12-bore shot gun and .30 pistol since these are the authorized weapons for use of private citizens in the country. Most personnel, whether they are ex-servicemen or civilians, have generally not handled these weapons
(16) actual firing at the firing ranges must be carried out.
Training according to international standards can be divided into two parts, viz
(1) Basic Training of 80 hours in the classroom and
(2) Weapon Training of 40 hours in the field. The selected training syllabus must be able to cope with fast changing laws, the prevailing security environment and what is required to protect lives and property.
The Basic training syllabus must include: orientation, client’s assets, local law and the power of arrest, knowledge about terrorism and criminality, fires and explosions, mission emergency plans, physical security measures to be employed for the task, basic guard duties, basic first aid/CPR, guard force communications, general orders and post orders, maintenance of post logs and preparation of incident reports, unarmed defense and restraint of disorderly persons, The use of personal equipment, access control equipment use and procedures, observation techniques, dealing with government employees and the general public, patrolling, etc. Extended imparting of knowledge about terrorism must include extended sessions on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
For weapon training, whether Pistol .30 and/or 12 Bore Shotgun, the syllabus must include nomenclature, sight alignment, functioning, maintenance, safe handling, cover and concealment, ammunition inspection and use, multiple assailant drills, stripping/assembling of weapon, firing positions (standing/sitting/kneeling/lying), marksmanship techniques, firearms safety precautions, classification firing exercise, cleaning and maintenance of weapon. With a minimum of 10 hours allocated for live firing on the ranges, during field training period live exercises must be carried out with dummy IEDs.
With their educational certificates and computerized National ID cards verified from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), persons under training must also be medically examined, being kept under close observation to check their activities and mental state. Education standards of civilians are normally better than ex-servicemen, they are better aware of the prevailing law and order situation. If properly trained they can be as good, if not better, than ex-serviceman. Those with better education can better handle modern security implements than ex-servicemen.
All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA) gives due weightage to training, with established APSAA Training Schools at Karachi and Lahore. Members are required to ensure training to their guards prior to assuming the responsibility of any client. A school at Islamabad has been closed down temporarily but is going to be re-activated soon.
A couple of APSAA member Companies have their own training facilities. However more training schools are necessary, APSAA must have one in each Province other than at Islamabad. It is the responsibility of the security company to ensure every guard put on duty has the necessary training to fulfil his duties. The bottom line is while an individual must make his own judgment whether the private security company providing the service has given the guards adequate training, for any organization it is the direct responsibility of the professional security manager to ensure that every guard appointed for duty has the necessary training to do his job. Failure to do so amounts to criminal negligence and if an incident happens he must be held accountable. (Member of World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Agenda Council (GAC) on Terrorism, the author acknowledges with gratitude help from Maj Allahyar, Commandant of a Private Security Guard Training School).
