Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Recruitment and Employment of Singaporeans on a Temporary Basis as Private Security Officers, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Singapore Police Force will allow private security firms to recruit and employ Singaporeans on a temporary basis for specified tasks as private security officers pending their (i) screening, training and passing the requisite tests and (ii) pending their medical screening for those aged above 60 years.

Answer:

1. Under the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA), a person must be licensed before carrying out the functions of a security officer. Security screening is part of the licensing procedures. This reduces the risk that persons abuse their positions as security officers to commit crimes against their clients or the public.

2. Security officers perform duties such as patrol, access control, and responding to incidents. They need to be properly trained and qualified, so that they can perform these important duties effectively. The process of licence application and training can be done concurrently. A person can obtain his licence and complete the requisite training in about two weeks if he meets the security screening and course requirements.

3. It is also a licensing condition that security officers above the age of 60 be certified medically fit for duty before being deployed. This is for their own welfare and safety, as the job of a security officer is physically demanding.

4. In short, there are important reasons for these requirements.The Police can allow security agencies to deploy as security officers, only persons who have been security cleared and are properly qualified.