Should Security Agency Owners Be Accountable for Guards' Mistakes? Let's Discuss

The Central Association of Pvt Security Industry (CAPSI) seeks an amendment to the "Pvt Security Agencies Regulation Act" with specific reference to "Owners cannot be held accountable for the negligence of Guards/Supervisors."

Concerns About Security Agencies

Security agencies are operating with barely qualified staff who are not even verified by the owners. We have cases where guards have committed murder, theft, etc. Many smaller agencies do not pay PF, ESIC, or anything for the guards' welfare. On top of this poor management, if owners are not made responsible for guards' behavior, then the whole private security guard system will collapse.

The Role and Responsibility of Security Guards

Why are guards hired? To provide safety and security. If they fail in their duties, the firm will be held accountable; this responsibility cannot be diluted. Owners need to be more careful about the persons recruited as guards—some background checks, training, etc., are necessary. Changes in law diluting the responsibility of the owners of the agency will be counterproductive.

Dear Nathrao Sir,

I fully agree with your views. To substantiate the same, "Hiring Norms for Security Guards" and "Who can be a Security Guard" attachments are for the information of all concerned.

This is all theory.

Many small agencies do not bother but just get some uneducated poor boy from the village, give him a uniform, and send them as guards. We have guards in our society who get no PF from the employer and are barely passable in their duty. Everywhere, people look to save money. Employers want to pay minimally but extract from the company that hires them. We have to understand that security means an expenditure of money. Training is one aspect, uniforms, PF, etc., are other aspects that the guard's employer must think of. Those who hire security must also be aware that security has its price, and one should be ready to bear this as a business expenditure.

Nathrao Sir, I strongly agree with you. In fact, the criteria for licensing and training should be made more stringent. Also, principal employers who use this service may be put on a regular and strict audit system. People have made security guarding services like a fancy show. If we really want productivity and quality in services and to help guards working in the industry, then principal employers and agency owners should be made equally responsible for abiding by the laws applicable to this industry.