With an increasing number of security guards being involved in heinous crimes and the Pune police having stopped issuing licences to security agencies in January last year, your safety may be in the wrong hands
security guard
In the backdrop of a rising number of cases in which security guards have been found involved in heinous crimes — including the gang-rape of a woman in Baner on Sunday — mid-day has found that many of the security agencies working in the city may not be registered with the Pune police. Your security, therefore, may be in the hands of the wrong men.
Case in point: Three security guards were arrested for gang-raping a woman in Baner on Sunday. Pic/Mohan Patil
mid-day has learnt that the Pune Police have stopped issuing licences to security guard service providers, with the last one being granted in January 2013. And it doesn’t end there. Recent scrutiny by police officials has revealed that most of the security agencies were granted licences leniently, due to which they do not follow norms.
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Breaking the rules: In a spot survey yesterday, mid-day found that security guards are not physically fit, and don’t wear their uniforms properly, as mandated by government rules. Pics/Mohan Patil
The Pune police had started issuing licences to private security agencies in December 2007. The first agency to get the licence was Poona Security Investigation and Consultancy Services, while the last licence was issued on January 4, 2013, to Group 1 Security Force.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Jayant Naiknavare said, “289 security agencies have obtained licences from the Pune police but, as per instructions from Mumbai, the process of granting new licences has been stopped temporarily.”
“We have observed that when they are appointing a security agency, most housing societies don’t cross-check whether the agency is registered with us. Even if they do, most citizens demand that the security guards do some of their household work too. This affects the confidence of the guard. Many people also offended if they are asked why they are visiting a society or for an ID. This mindset needs to change,” he added.
“The agencies which were registered earlier with us were granted licences leniently. Most of these agencies are seen flouting norms and while many of them are registered under the names of ex-servicemen or police officers, their daily operations are handled by someone else,” said a senior police officer.
“This leniency has led to most of the problems we are seeing today, including the surge in crime involving security guards. Licences are no longer being issued and we are pushing for stricter implementation of laws,” he added.
Securityspeak
Ravindra Poman, CEO and director of Unique Delta Force Security, said,“The main problem is seen in the residential sectors. Society members are reluctant to pay security guards enough. There are also many instances of members delegating household work to security guards. Many security agencies, thus, don’t find it feasible to provide security guards to residential complexes and tend to flout norms.”
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