Licensed Unarmed Security Officers in Private Security Industry

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs with regard to the private security industry (a) of the total number of licensed unarmed security officers, what is the proportion of those working for security agencies and what proportion are in-house security officers; and (b) what are the reasons why only 35,000 out of about 60,000 licensees are recorded as working in the industry.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Of the 61,714 licensed security officers as at end February 2012, 31,157 were employed by security agencies and 4,793 were employed as in-house security officers.

The Police started the licensing regime for security officers in 2009. Each licence is valid for five years and renewable thereafter upon application. We do not have any data on why current licensees have stopped working in the industry.

Demand for security services as a whole is increasing. The Government is working closely with various stakeholders to improve working conditions and raise professional standards. We believe these efforts will improve recruitment and retention of new security officers, as well as attract existing licensees to re-enter the security sector.

Page: 89