Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Roselyn Campbell, executive director of the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA), says the 1992 act that governs the body, does not have enough 'teeth' to enforce regulations on private security companies.

"According to this present act, whenever there is a violation, the offending security company is placed before the Resident Magistrate's Court and if proven guilty, is fined $10,000. I think it did what it had to do then," she said.

While noting that the act is being amended, Ms. Campbell stated that at present, inspectors employed to PSRA to monitor the private security firms are not empowered to do their work.

Background checks

"Our inspectors are not authorised persons. We cannot go in and demand an inspection of registers or things like that," she explained.

In a recent Sunday Gleaner article, a reporter entered the private security system and highlighted the lack of training to prospective security guards, as well as the need for more stringent background checks on applicants.

When asked about the policies governing the issuing of firearms to private security firms, Ms. Campbell responded: "A firearm licence is not given to a firm, it is given to the director, who in turn applies for a permit for the prospective armed guard. That guard will then be required to be registered as an armed guard.

"We don't have any say as to who is issued a firearm. we are only contacted to find out whether or not the firearm applicant is registered with us," she added.

Illegal possession

On Tuesday, five students from Vere Technical High School in Clarendon were hit with shrapnel from a Remington shotgun in the possession of a security guard.

The guard, 38-year-old Basil Brown, has been charged with illegal possession of firearm and five counts of shooting with intent when it was revealed that he did not have a firearm permit. The operator of the unregistered security firm, Samuel Tulloch, 45, was arrested and charged for aiding and the abetting illegal possession of firearms.

But, Gilbert Scott, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, said that clients of private security firms also have a responsibility.

"It is also the responsibility of each client to verify that the company they choose to protect their life and property is registered to operate," Mr. Scott commented.