Police commissioner on security firms: “Some of them are eyeing a quick win”

Police Commissioner Roberto Prade recently placed a magnifying glass on the private security sector because as of late a growing number of private security companies are popping up ‘left and right’. Some of them are reportedly only intent on making profit while others even pose a threat to the objects that they are suppose to be guarding. There is no permit requirement for people who want to start their own private security company. The police commissioner reportedly wants to regulate the private security sector to maintain law and order. “Some of them are only in it for a quick win. They want to grow big fast without taking certain things into account,” said the police commissioner. Some time ago the Police

Force Suriname (KPS) had already started with regulating the private security sector by taking a look at the status and the standards of the local security companies. Due to other priorities the police force slightly turned its attention away from the private security sector but it has once again caught its full attention. The local security companies had been invited to a meeting in the Wanica District where the sector would be evaluated by all parties concerned. There was a very poor turnout at the meeting. It has become clear that things must change. The first big change that officials have in store for the sector is to make it mandatory for every person who wants to start up and manage a private security firm to have a permit.