Employ security guards who are licensed!
This is the strong message from Security Officer in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Earl Deane, who said no security guard, private investigator or security agency should provide such services unless they were licensed under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act.
Mr. Deane continued: ???A person who contravenes the Act is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $5,000, or imprisonment for two years, or both. Therefore, my message to those holding fetes this Crop Over and engaging the services of security guards, as well as agencies and entities employing guards is to check and make sure they are licensed.???
He disclosed that a database with the names of the nearly 7,000 licensed security guards was in existence and agencies and entities requiring that information should contact the Defence and Security Division, Weymouth Corporate Centre, Roebuck Street, St. Michael, or call 228-5576 or 436-1970, ext. 5167.
According to Mr. Deane, the Act states that ???a security guard may in the performance of his functions, arrest without a warrant any person who is in breach of the peace, or whom he reasonably believes to be in breach of the peace, or who commits or attempts to commit treason or felony???.
He, therefore, reiterated that any company which hired an individual who did not have the relevant documentation would be in breach of the law and would be liable if something occurred. He urged those security guards, private investigators and security agencies who were not licensed to ???immediately do the right and lawful thing???.
The requirements for security guard, private investigator and security guard agency licences include: two passport-sized photographs of applicants, recent testimonials, and valid Police Certificates of Character.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb