The Role of the Private Security Company

Dr David Claridge

BAPSC First Annual Conference30 October 2006

An important announcement

I speak only for myself

A startling revelation

We are not saints

Another shock

Nor are we sinners (mostly)

The similarities between PSCs and “normal” business are irrefutable

We are motivated by profitWe seek to return value to our shareholdersWe want to build sustainable businessesWe believe in meeting our clients’ needs and demands Business growth depends upon reputationReputations are built upon successful delivery of serviceWe generally want to be left alone

The bottom line:PSCs exist to make moneyBreaking the rules (and norms) is mostly bad for

business

Andy and Sabrina’s typology of PSC activity

B2B Post conflict

SSRGovt Outsource

But what do PSC’s really do?

Predominantly, advise corporate clients on protecting people, assets and business integrity

It is easily possible to outsource:Information and adviceStrategy and processEducation and trainingProtective servicesLogistical and organisational servicesResponse services

An efficient means of providing “just in time” responses and high expertise services

Operate in the no man’s land between public and private

In other words…

Release expertise to a clientSkills they do not possess (any more?)Capacity they do not possessOrganisational focus they may lack

Allow clients to release their own expertiseLarge operations in short time framesMundane and dirty jobsSkill transfer

Liability dispersalAccountability and flexibility

You are right to ask questions

PSCs provide securityWhat about all the other risk management and

conflict services?PSCs should be defensive only

What about training the military?Or drug interdiction?

Good PSCs operate within codes of conductBut ethics is still a USP in our industry

PSCs are more lean and efficient than militariesDoes this compromise discipline and management?

PSCs are well suited to complex situationsBut other conflict parties may not have adjusted so

quickly

We will do our bit…

The industry believes in regulationTo protect reputationTo ensure standardsTo allow growth into new areas

There are boundaries for what we can and cannot doUniversal obligationsNational obligationsLocal obligations

All PSCs must respect the boundariesYou have the buying power

Doing business with PSCs

We do not create demandThe private sector has been using our industry for 30

yearsGovernment has already crossed the line

We are a tool to be usedWith rules

We can advise on how best to get the best from our services and capabilities

Today’s PSC industry is the home of second-to-none expertiseEngagement and dialoguePartnership

Clients need to better understand how to ask and how to manage

A second startling revelation

Private security is a good thing (in the right hands)