Security Company Auditing Announced Today

22 June 2006

Security Company Auditing Announced Today

The New Zealand Security Association (NZSA) announced today that it is introducing an auditing process for its members.

Association chairman Scott Carter told delegates at the security industry conference in Wellington today that the auditing mechanism has been developed in response to the continued lack of enforcement of licensing requirements of security officers.

The need for this system was highlighted this week with the news that two security guards with serious prior criminal convictions were employed in a prison to watch a potentially suicidal female inmate.

“Without effective legislation to enforce security guard licensing standards it will always be possible for such maverick operators to hire out staff who do not conform with professional standards, even though they are breaking the law.”

All members of the New Zealand Security Association will be subject to random audits or able to undergo voluntary audits.

“It will be a point of difference that will give the public confidence that if they use a security company that is a member of the NZSA, they know they are dealing with a firm that is committed to proven and approved codes of practice.

“Until the 32 year old legislation relating to the security industry is updated, the public has no sure way of knowing the security firm they are dealing with has integrity. Knowing the firm is NZSA-accredited, and subject to auditing, can give them that reassurance,” Mr Carter says.

The auditing process has been developed in consultation with the industry over the past 12 months.

ENDS

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