Jessica O'ConnorThe Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched Operation RESOLUTE, a new enforcement initiative aimed at tackling malpractice in private security training.
The move has been designed to protect workers in the sector by ensuring that licence-linked qualifications are credible and consistent across the industry.
Pete Easterbrook, interim director of inspections and enforcement at the SIA, said the regulator has a duty to act where training standards are compromised.
He added: “We all need to be confident that those who hold SIA licences receive the correct entry level qualification.
“This trust is undermined if malpractice has taken place during training and assessment, whether by training providers, awarding organisations, or others.”
The operation has already led to an increase in unannounced inspections of training providers, with several approvals withdrawn where malpractice was identified.
According to Easterbrook, the SIA is committed to acting quickly and decisively.
“Where we have a suspicion that malpractice has taken place, we will not hesitate to take action”, he continued.
As part of Operation RESOLUTE, the regulator is working more closely with awarding organisations to improve oversight and prevent malpractice from undermining qualifications.
Easterbrook stressed that the work is about protecting both the public and the integrity of the industry.
He concluded: “The SIA will act swiftly and decisively to root out abuse, detect and disrupt criminality, and make the private security industry a hostile environment for those who seek to exploit it.”
