Police to train security guards

PRIVATE security guards will soon undergo basic formal levels of training by the police, as Government upgrades the industry following a recent rise in robberies through a review of the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act.

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said the move was designed to upgrade and equip private security personnel who contributed immensely in safeguarding property.

“Cabinet resolved to review the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act in order to improve the private security industry to ensure that only police-trained guards work in law enforcement,” he said.

“This position was arrived at given the role the private security companies play in complementing the efforts of the police in reducing crime in the country.

“As such, there is a need for private security guards to receive basic formal training.”

Responding to questions, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said Government largely acknowledged the role of the security guards.

“I want to say we need to have professional private security guards and in fact the major reason we are having to go this route is that we acknowledge the role played by private sector companies in complementing what the Government is doing in terms of law enforcement,” he said.

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