Private Security professional corps to provide close protection personnel- Minister Chang

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, mooted a reformed policy that will see the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) helping to oversee the provision of close protection personnel.

“There are many of our people in executive positions both in government, the private sector and in critical areas like the justice system that do require someone to support them. The government has put together a refined policy that we are going to implement in the new financial year,” Minister Chang explained.

The Security Minister made the announcement while delivering greetings at the Annual Conference of the PSRA on Saturday (September 23) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

He stated that close protection coverage should come from an effective evaluation by the security personnel who understand that kind of activity.

“Based on intelligence and an assessment of the risk factors involved, I think the Private Security industry can provide the personnel for that kind of protection”.

The Security Minister further pointed out that due to the high level of risk and responsibility, close protection services require specialized training.

“Those security guards involved in the cash-in-transit and close protection service will be given minimum standards by the Regulation Authority to receive special training and certification such as defensive driving, proper use of force and weapons handling,” he said.

He added: “The JCF is offering to provide that training with the appropriate curriculum and in conjunction with the private sector.”

Minister Chang commended the private security officers for their hard work in helping to maintain public order and public safety.

“You are valuable to our country and your work is important. I challenge you all to be proud of the quality of the service you give to this important industry,” he said.

The Private Security Regulation Authority is a statutory body of the Ministry of National Security that regulates and monitors the operations of the private security industry in Jamaica.