 New Zealand Security Officers Association
Saturday 20 September 2008
Security Officers who conduct community crime prevention patrols to fill shortfalls of police numbers need greater powers of arrest and detention to effectively do the job, The New Zealand Security Officers Association said today.
Crime levels in South Auckland have prompted the local council to put together a proposal for private security guards 24/7. The Manukau City Council is looking into proposals to deploy three teams of five guards across the city on a 24 hour, seven day a week basis.
Councillor Dick Quax told the Manakau Courier not only is the region one of the most under-resourced in terms of police, a survey of locals has shown a demand for extra security measures. He says the proposal will be part of the council's long-term council community plan, and will be up for consultation early next year. He says the council could divert money from other places, but it is also likely to involve a rates increase.
A Spokesperson for the New Zealand Security Officers Association said today, “They (the Councils) really need to have a look at other countries using this concept first.”
In Western Australia, councils employ security guards who patrol the communities in cars and on foot. They have a number of powers, including the power to arrest offenders.
In the United Kingdom, the police employ Police Community Support Officers to patrol streets and deter crime who have limited powers of arrest in addition to those conferred to private citizens.
In South Africa many towns and communities had council employed security guards to patrol and deter crime. Some cities in South Africa have now formed these security guards into a Metro Police service, with full police powers and equipment.
In an online survey carried out by the New Zealand Security Officers Association, Ninety–eight percent of respondents believed security officers should have the power to detain anyone found committing a criminal offence. Media Spokesperson Darryn Loveridge said today, “Greater powers of arrest and detention other than those able to be used by a citizen, would go a long way in making us more effective when conducting community crime prevention patrols. In many cases we fall short of clients expectations because we do not have these powers.” The New Zealand Security Officers Association has had a number of complaints from security officers who have felt they have been unable to effectively do their job. These include: -One officer who encountered a youth tagging public property in an industrial estate who was wanted in relation to hundreds of offences, including some client’s property patrolled by the officer. No action could be taken, as the officer did not have the power to arrest or detain the suspect. The suspect was able to depart before Police arrived. -One officer noticed a youth tagging the street signs. Was able to catch him but had to let him go as the suspect was not found on client property. The officer did not have the power to detain the suspect. -One officer encountered four youths on a client’s property with a backpack full of laptops. The suspects refused to provide details pursuant to the Trespass Act 1980. As the officer had no powers of arrest or detention, the suspects were able to depart before the Police arrived. It was later discovered that the school next door had been burgled and laptops had been taken. -One security officer was conducting a patrol when he found a suspect putting a car stereo in a pack. Several more car stereos were discovered in the pack. When the officer challenged him he abused the officer, left the pack and ran. The stereos, it was discovered, were stolen from cars in the area. The officer could only watch the suspect run off, as he had no power to arrest or detain the suspect. -One officer was conducting vehicle patrol when he heard an alarm start sounding. The officer pulled into the property where the alarm was sounding and found an individual holding a petrol can. The officer challenged him and was verbally abused by the suspect, who then got into a vehicle and drove off. The premises had been broken into and petrol poured throughout. -One officer found a trespasser with a motorbike. The suspect dumped the bike and denied knowing anything about it. He refused to identify himself but the officer had no legal power to stop him from leaving. The bike had been stolen. | 
