NZSA CEO Update

New Zealand Security Association CEO Gary Morrison discusses the Christchurch mosque attacks, security licensing for monitoring operators and electricians, and the recent conviction of an individual for operating security services without a licence.

Christchurch Terrorist Attack On Friday 15 March, New Zealand came face-to-face with an act of terrorism that most had assumed would never occur in our own country.

The reality for many security professionals, however, is there has always been a knowledge and fear that our renowned “she’ll be right” attitude towards security left us vulnerable to some form of attack, and that it was only a matter of time before terrorism found its way to New Zealand.

In the days immediately following the Christchurch mosque attacks I received calls from a number of colleagues who just wanted to talk about their feelings, particularly with regards to the discussions we had previously about the likelihood of such an event occurring, and to speculate on the possible ramifications for New Zealand and the New Zealand security industry.

Gary Morrison, New Zealand Security Association CEO.

From a national perspective, there was consensus that our National Terrorism Threat Level would be set at ‘medium’ following a short time at the ‘high’ rating, and would not return to the previous ‘low’ rating for the foreseeable future. In conjunction with this there would be substantial pressure placed on Police and government agency resourcing and the need to prioritise their activities both short and longer term.

A further challenge, particularly for government agencies, will be how they can effectively monitor potential threats given the State Services Commission inquiry into the use of external security consultants and the legal and ethical issues around intrusive surveillance techniques.

There was also a clear view that the terrorist attack would create an immediate increase in demand for security services, particularly for security officers, but that in many ways the reaction would be of a knee-jerk nature rather than informed decisions based around the risk profile of customers and the need for considered and integrated security plans and systems.

Some five weeks after the event, I can look back at our discussions at the time and say that we were pretty much on the mark.

The challenge for the industry now is how do we play our part in creating a more risk aware society where security becomes an important consideration across our every-day lives, but without significantly impeding on the social freedoms that New Zealand so much enjoys and values.

As an example of how we can add value, myself and members of our Risk Management Special Interest Group are working with Auckland Emergency Management (the old Civil Defence) to host a forum for all mosques in Auckland to discuss how they can effectively improve their internal security measures as police resourcing is gradually removed.

We are also involved in positive discussions with the NZ Police as to how we can improve two-way intelligence sharing and in particular, how we can gain improved recognition and utilisation of private security staff in matters of national security.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) report "Safety in Numbers: Australia’s private security guard force and counterterrorism" published last year has direct correlations to New Zealand and provides a pathway for improved public/private security cooperation and ultimately, increased public safety. I hope that we will be able to expand on our discussions and tangible developments over the next few months.

Licensing for Monitoring Operators

The amendment to the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators (Minimum Training) Regulations 2018 originally scheduled for 01 April 2019, has now been delayed until 01 May 2019.

The change will confirm that Monitoring Operators are required to be licensed under the Property Guard classification in the Act but will exempt them from being required to complete the Minimum Training Units as a requirement for obtaining their licence. As part of this process, there will be some changes to the Certificate of Approval application and renewal process to ensure that applicants are identified as either frontline (Security Officer) or nonfrontline (Control Room or Monitoring Centre Operator) roles.

Security Licensing for Electricians

The question of licensing for electricians and electrical businesses who install, service and sell security systems has been both contentious and confused. This has come about due to the exemption provided under the PSP&PI Act for those who are licensed under alternative Acts (including electricians with the EWRB).

The Master Electricians and NZSA have prepared a Joint Statement that will be released in May with the intent of providing clear and concise guidance to members of both organisations, and the wider public, on the application of the legislation.

The full statement will be available on both the Master Electricians and NZSA websites in the near future but does provide confirmation that where an electrician sells a security system or provides security advice to the owner or occupier of a premises, they are deemed to be acting as a Security Consultant and must hold a Certificate of Approval or licence as a Security Consultant.

Industry Forum re Council Compliance Requirements

The NZSA is currently working with the Field Surveying and Building Consents team at Auckland Council with regards to facilitating an Industry Forum in May or June whereby electronic security providers can meet with council representatives to discuss council interpretations and requirements, seek clarity over more contentious issues and, where appropriate, put forward recommendations and proposals for simplified processes.

The NZSA and Christchurch City Council jointly facilitated a similar Industry Forum in late 2017 which met with unanimous endorsement from all parties in attendance.

The date and location for the Auckland Industry Forum will be communicated as soon as arrangements are confirmed.

Rogue security guard fined $18,000 for unlicensed security work

One of the most consistent complaints I hear from members and non-members is that our Act (the PSP&PI Act) has no teeth when it comes for dealing with unlicensed operators.

The reality is that the Act does have teeth by way of reasonably substantial fines (up to $40,000 for an individual or $60,000 for a body corporate) but the authorities who oversee the Act have traditionally applied an educative approach to those found in breach rather than adopting a more punitive approach via fines.

The NZSA has been lobbying our licensing authority (PSPLA) and investigative body (DIA) for some time on this, promoting the position that operators should by now be aware of the legislative requirements and encouraging the imposition of fines.

It was very pleasing therefore to read the recent headline in the press that a rogue security guard had been fined $18,000 for performing unlicensed security work in Auckland. Sean Micheals (also known as Seu Ilai Taleni) pleaded guilty to operating the businesses Corporate Group International Limited, Corporate Protection and Security International Limited and HD Security Services Limited without a licence.

The DIA commented in the article that “security services are often in positions of authority and having unlicensed cowboys in the industry puts the public at real risk. If people break the law, we will catch them. The requirement for a security licence helps protect New Zealanders and security operators by ensuring service providers are trusted, trained, and comply with the law.”