Date : 1 August 2009
Sypnosis
The Union of Security Employees is creating awareness of the Community Engagement Programme among security employees
The Private Security Industry Tripartite National Day Observance Ceremony and Security Industry Conference at The NTUC Centre Auditorium - Speech for Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, 01 August 2009
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning.
1. It is my pleasure to be here this morning to join you in celebrating our nation’s 44th National Day and to attend this year’s Security Industry Conference. This is the second time that all tripartite partners have come together at a National Day Observance Ceremony held by the private security industry.
Milestones and achievements of the industry
2. In the past few years, active steps have been taken to improve the professional standards in the private security industry. The Security Industry Forum (SIF) comprising key industry stakeholders was formed in 2005. The stakeholders are the Security Association of Singapore (SAS), Association of Certified Security Agencies (ACSA), Union of Security Employees (USE), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and SIRD. In the same year, the Job Re-Creation Programme for the security industry was introduced. This focused on four aspects:-
(1) enhancing the image and professionalism of the industry;
(2) raising the standards of security agencies;
(3) educating buyers on best sourcing; and
(4) updating legislation, coupled with regular audits and rigorous enforcement by both the Security Industry Regulatory Department (SIRD) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
3. In line with these strategies, the WDA Security Workforce Skills Qualification System (WSQ), and SIRD’s annual grading system, introduced in 2006, were geared towards providing a better structure for a security officers’ career progression, and educating buyers on the standards of the agencies.
4. During the past three years, best sourcing seminars have also been conducted by SIRD and MOM to educate buyers on the benefits of using performance-based contractual terms instead of the standard headcount measures when buying security services.
Updating Legislation/Audits/Enforcement
5. The old Private Investigation and Security Agencies Act was also replaced by the new Private Security Industry Act. The new Act is meant to ensure that the law remains relevant in meeting our needs in today’s security climate. Key features of the new Act include the requirement for every security officer to be trained and licensed; and the professional conduct required and expected of every such officer.
6. To protect the interests of security officers, agencies such as Police, MOM and CPF Board have also stepped up their enforcement efforts against rogue agencies violating industry regulations, employment laws and CPF Act requirements.
7. All the above industry redevelopment efforts by tripartite partners have borne fruit. The manpower in this industry has increased from 18,000 in 2005 to about 32,000 security officers now. With new initiatives in place and the growing demand for security services, career opportunities in the private security industry will become even more attractive.
Security Identification Card (ID) Project
8. Today, I am pleased to announce another milestone of the private security industry with the official launch of the Security Officer Identification Card for its members.
9. This ID card certifies that the officer is suitable and competent for his task. Only officers who have passed the mandatory training and other requirements will be licensed and be issued with the card. The card will further enhance the professionalism and image of security officers. It will boost the public’s confidence and respect for them.
10. About 5,000 security officers have already received their ID cards. While on duty, these officers are required to display their cards at all times. We will extend the scheme to in-house security officers next year.
11. In tandem with the ID card initiative, the Union for Security Employees is also taking steps to generate awareness for Community Engagement Programme (CEP) amongst all security employees. This will be done as part of the briefings and screening of video clips to the security employees. Some of them have already gone further in participating in the Community Engagement Executive Development (CEED) Programme for CEP community leaders.
Conclusion
12. The security sector today plays an increasingly important role to safeguard the lives and assets of our people. The public law enforcement agencies cannot work in isolation. Both the private security industry and our public law enforcement agencies need to work together to keep Singapore safe and secure. We need the right people, technology and systems to effectively manage our security threats and challenges. With the tripartite team working hand in hand, I am confident that our security industry will continue to evolve and unite, to overcome all challenges.
13. On this note, I wish all of you a happy National Day in advance.
14. Thank you.