An evaluation of the Queensland Security Providers Act: Implications for national regulation of the protective security industry

Abstract

The expansion of protective security services in the last few decades has raised concerns about the privatisation of policing and accountability of 'non-police' law enforcement agencies. One response by governments has been to enlarge regulatory controls of the industry. A recent example is the Queensland Security Providers Act 1993.This paper reports on a study designed to obtain insiders' views on the impact of the Act. A survey of security managers revealed scepticism about the success of the legislation in reducing misconduct and improving competency amongst security providers. Respondents felt the licensing system was too narrow and enforcement too weak to upgrade the industry to the desired standard -although there was some support for improved entry-level standards as a result of minimum training requirements. Strong support was expressed for a range of reform measures including comprehensive licensing of all industry sectors linked to a national system, improved training and assessment, frequent criminal history checks on licensees, more vigorous compliance monitoring, and compulsory insurance and monitoring of firms for award payments. A cooperative approach to regulation and national co-ordination of the states and territories is needed to implement these measures in order to improve standards of service delivery in security work and protect the public interest.