WAPI News

WAPI MEET REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PSA - PRIVATE SECURITY AUTHORITY

On Tuesday 4th April 2006, Ross Manson, (WAPI Representative in Ireland)
finally managed to get a Formal Meeting with the Republic of Ireland PSA
(Private Security Authority) to discuss the PI Sector and raise our concerns.

Present at the meeting were Geraldine LARKIN, John O'GRADY
and Patrick GOOLEY of the PSA

The meeting proved to be interesting, and the PSA were pleased to
have our involvement and have requested our assistance with several points.

Part 1:

1) The PSA require the definition of a Private Investigator, in order
that it can be written into the legislation.

2) They would like to know the duties that fall under the remit of a
Private Investigator and those that don't. They want to ensure that an
Investigator requires only an Investigator's Licence to perform the
duties, for example, an Investigator's Licence and a Security
Consultant's Licence.

It was explained that the scope of our duties can often cause us to step
somewhat into these other fields on occasions. The example given, was
when investigating an internal theft in a shop. Upon completion
of the Investigation the Investigator may suggest that a camera be
fitted to monitor the till point. The PSA are in agreement that it would
be silly for an Investigator to require a Security Consultant's Licence
in order to offer this advice. However, they would require that a
Security Consultant's Licence would be required for an Investigator to
enter a large factory and provide advise about the security situation.
Clearly, this is not going to be a clear-cut issue.

3) Nothing has, as yet been done regarding the Competency Standards
required for Investigators. The PSA are planning to request that the
VTEC (roughly equivalent to NVQs) contact the NVQ board and perhaps
build a training program based on the NVQ course.
They are interested to know what is involved in the training of an
Investigator.
The PSA are in agreement that an experienced Investigator does not have
to undertake the course, but are keen to ensure that "no-one slips
through the net". They are unsure, as yet, how to validate the
experience and qualifications of a current Investigator and again, plan
to pass this duty to the VTEC board. They suggested that the VTEC board
can check all references and perhaps interview the Investigators.

4) The PSA will require that all Private Investigation Companies operate
to certain standards. The PSA are keen that these standards can be
audited. As well as an Auditor being able to check the companies
records, the PSA are considering that a Satisfaction Form be completed
by every Client upon case completion. They are keen for our assistance
with the laying out of Operating Standards.

5) The PSA were interested to know whether Investigators in Ireland are
members of any Unions. This was not something I was able to advise them
on and perhaps this could be put to the e-group.

Part 2:

A number of other issues were raised:

1) The need for short term "undercover operator" licenses - excluded
from the Public Register.
2) Provisional (Trainee) Licence - operates under supervision of a
Licensed PI.
3) Access to data not available to the Public, i.e. vehicle and driver
licence data (for lawful and proper purpose)

The PSA are looking into these points. They did express that access to
data not available to the Public is unlikely to be introduced in the
immediate future, mentioning conflicts with Data Protection Legislation.

Part 3:

The PSA did not agree with the two main points raised by WAPI:

1) The PSA say that the Tax Clearance Certificate is an issue they have
to be stubborn about. As they see it, the requirement for the Tax
Clearance Certificate is written into the legislation and that the PSA's
job is not to change the legislation. I was unable to make any headway
with this.

2a) Trans EU reciprocal recognition of all licensed PIs from those
states which licence. The PSA are not at all keen on this issue and
stated that the only way they would consider it would be to have any
visiting PI sit a test on Irish Law.

2b) Automatic acceptance of Investigators from EU States which do not
have a licensing regime. The PSA were adamant that this would not
happen. They fear that Investigators unable to get a licence in Ireland
would merely work from a country without a licensing regime.

The PSA are keen that Investigators from the North and Investigators
from the Republic do not cross the border. They insist that as the
Police and Gardi and unable to cross the border, Investigators should
not be allowed to do so. They even went to far as to say that, "the
ability to cross borders contributed to the shady image of Private
Investigators" !!!

Conclusion:

A large area was covered at this meeting and it was clear that the PSA
have a long way to go before issuing Licenses. I believe that the plan
to issue licenses by the end of the year may be rather optimistic.
The PSA are keen to have our help and a further meeting should be
quicker to arrange.

Upon responding to the above points I shall have a second meeting with
the PSA to compose an agenda for the Public Consultation.

Should any of the above issues require clarifying, please do not
hesitate to call or email - details below.

Many Thanks,

Ross

WAPI Representative for Ireland.

Ross Manson Irish Surveillance
Tel: +353 (0) 85 1629 717
Email: rossmanson@irishsurveillance.com

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