The administrative approach against infiltration in the Belgian Private Security Sector by the Federal Public Service Home Affairs

The private security administrator • This administration applies the Belgian law concerning private security services of 10 April 1990 and its implementing decrees. • We are a civil administration, not a police administration 2

Our goal • Two level goal: • AUTHORIZATION of • 1) private security companies • 2) private security staff (guards, managers,…) 3

The Identification Card 4

The ID = guarantee of authorization • When a private security guard is not visibly wearing this badge, it could mean that he/she is NOT authorized by this administration. • By consequence, it could mean that he/she is working in illegality. 5

What we do (1) • According to this law, private security services are divided into different sub-activities For example: • Doorkeeping (discotheques) • Bodyguarding • Transport of valuable goods • Installation of alarms • … 6 Private security activities cover different sub-

What we do (2) • Some of these activities can be executed in an armed way. (Remark: armed activities are considered to be an exception) • E.g. bodyguarding or transport of valuable goods • Some activities may NOT be executed in an armed way, e.g. doorkeeping (discotheques). • As you can imagine, the private sector of the security services is a very sensitive domain. • So it is examined very closely, especially when it’s an armed activity. 7

Administrative approach towards infiltration (1) • One of the most important conditions to work for a private security company are the SECURITY REQUIREMENTS : - Absence of certain convictions (check of criminal records) e.g. theft, assault and battery, … - Screening: does the candidate have the required profile? “A security guard cannot have committed any criminal offences, which, even when they do not have been the subject of criminal prosecution, influence the trust put in him/her because they show a serious shortcoming of the professional ideology or a contraindication of the wanted profile” Profile = an (almost) impeccable behaviour 8

Administrative approach towards infiltration (2) • The check of the security requirements (screenings) is based upon the following profile: 1) Respect for the fundamental rights of fellow citizens 2) Integrity 3) The resilience when confronted with aggressive behaviour of a third party and the ability to control oneself 4) Absence of suspicious relations with criminals (e.g. drugs, …) 9

How do the screenings occur ? • The screening is based upon the approval of the concerned • Legal advice is mandatory: A) When authorizing a private security company by state security and the Public Prosecutor B) When authorizing armed activities, by the public prosecutor This advice is not compulsory to this administration 10 Administrative approach against infiltration (3)

The Screenings (3) • Screenings of the staff of private security companies are based upon various types of INFORMATION: • A) Information originating from law enforcement institutions like Police and Justice Department concerning: • The use of violence • Little respect for authorities • Violation of specific laws: e.g. illegal possession of arms • Crimes or suspicious connections to criminal organizations: drugs-related infractions, arms traffic, … 11

The Screenings (4) • B) Information originating from our civil administration: e.g. criminal records • C) Information originating from the private security services itself (e.g. theft while working) • Remark: this information is based not only upon professional experience, but upon private life as well 12

The Pre-screening • Pre-screenings (!): • A private security service, willing to engage a private security agent, may ask our administration to proceed to a pre-screening. • These pre-screenings consists in checking the police database. They indicate if a more in-depth screening will be necessary or not. • Remark: the result of this pre-screening is not compulsory to the demanding security service. The final decision whether to engage a person or not, is the full responsibility of the demanding private security service. If they insist on engaging, further investigations will follow. 13

14 Thank you for your attention