16 December 2015

Use of drug detection dogs by the security industry.

The SLED reminds security licensees that amendments to the Security Industry Act 1997 (the SI Act) commenced on 8 January 2015 in relation to the use of dogs while carrying on security activity. These amendments are contained within sections 11(3) and 23F of the SI Act.

Section 11 (3) of the SI Act states: "A class 1A, class 1B, class 1C, class 1E or class 1F licence does not authorise the licensee to carry on a security activity with a dog."

Section 23F of the SI Act states: "It is a condition of every class 1A, class 1B, class 1C, class 1E or class 1F licence that the licensee must not carry on the security activity authorised by the licence with a dog."

As a consequence of this legislation, the screening of persons seeking entry to any licensed premises, public entertainment venue or public or private event or function with a dog, including a drug detection dog, is a contravention of the SI Act.

In a statement released on 11 December 2015, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police, the Hon Troy Grant, said:

"Police often use drug detection dogs at events including music festivals as they are a very useful tool in detecting illicit drugs. However, their use must be closely controlled to ensure searches are conducted properly, lawfully and with police oversight scrutiny in the case of complaints by members of the public about their use.

That’s why it’s crucial that the operation of drug detection dogs is retained by police who have the full resources, powers and ability to train the animals with real illicit drugs and also to search, arrest and charge people with drugs possession if drugs are found.

This is why the amendments were made to the Security Industry Act 1997, taking effect in January this year, as prior to that the use of drug detection dogs by private operators was unregulated.

There are no plans to amend the legislation."

Dogs may only be used by class 1D licensees and only to carry on activities authorised by that licence subclass (ie patrol, protect or guard any property with a dog).

18 November 2015

SLED Webinar on SLED's Enforcement Powers and Activities.

Brian Moir, General Manager Industry Regulation Unit, SLED, recently conducted a webinar to explain, and answer questions about, SLED's enforcement powers and activities. The SLED is grateful to ASIAL for hosting the webinar and for making a recording of it available online at: https://youtu.be/nu4flnFFXIs.

This webinar was the third of a series of webinars to be conducted by the SLED. The second, which focussed on Master licensee compliance obligations, is also available online at: https://youtu.be/Qh-oWSZbmsw. The first, which focussed on incident and sign-on register requirements, is also available online at: http://youtu.be/gRjdlDmJJ-c.

4 November 2015

NSW Health Smoke-Free Campaign.

Under new laws that commenced 6 July 2015, smoking is now banned within 4 metres of a pedestrian entrance to, or exit from, a public building in NSW. This law is called the "4 metre law" and applies to places such as shopping malls, office buildings, licensed premises, restaurants and cafes.

SLED encourages security industry awareness of the Smoke-Free campaign promoted by NSW Health. More information, including resources and flyers, can be found here: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/smoke-free-resources.aspx

16 October 2015

SLED Webinar on Master Licensee Compliance Obligations.

Cameron Smith, Director, SLED, recently conducted a webinar to explain, and answer questions about, Master licence requirements and the impact of subcontracting on Master licensee compliance obligations. The SLED is grateful to ASIAL for hosting the webinar and for making a recording of it available online at: https://youtu.be/Qh-oWSZbmsw.

This webinar was the second of a series of webinars to be conducted by the SLED. The first, which focussed on incident and sign-on register requirements, is also available online at: http://youtu.be/gRjdlDmJJ-c.

28 July 2015

Australian Security Medals.

The Australian Security Medals Foundation held its annual awards presentation dinner at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 19 June 2015. A number of NSW security industry representatives were among those recognised by the Foundation for acts of valour, for their contributions to the security industry, or for saving a life. Visit inspiringsecurity.com to hear their stories. The SLED congratulates all the award winners.

2 July 2015

Draft Incident & Sign-on Register Requirements.

The SLED has released the attached extracts from its draft Compliance Guide for Master Licensees for comment by the security industry. These extracts detail the proposed "approved manner and form" requirements for incident and sign-on registers.

Cameron Smith, Director, SLED, recently conducted a webinar to explain, and answer questions about, the draft register requirements. The SLED is grateful to ASIAL for hosting the webinar and for making a recording of it available online at: youtu.be/gRjdlDmJJ-c.

Feedback on the draft register requirements should be submitted to SLED via email to sled@police.nsw.gov.au by 31 July 2015. Please note that while the SLED may be unable to respond to all submissions directly, we will seek to address all relevant feedback by making necessary changes to the draft Compliance Guide or through FAQs that we will publish on our website in support of the final document.

9 June 2015

ASIAL Webinar - SLED Update.

A webinar is being hosted by the Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) on Tuesday 23 June 2015 from 2-3pm AEST.

Cameron Smith, Director, SLED will discuss the SLED's draft Compliance Guide for Master Licensees ahead of its release for industry comment. Cameron will explain the recent changes to the Security Industry Regulation 2007 impacting the requirement to keep incident and sign-on registers and will answer questions about compliance obligations for NSW security licence holders.

19 March 2015

Australian Security Medals.

The Australian Security Medals Foundation Inc (ASMF) seeks to publicly recognise men and women in the Australian security industry for their bravery and contribution.

Each year, the ASMF presents two types of medals:

  • The Australian Security Medal of Valour (ASMV), recognising acts of bravery and initiative; and
  • The Australian Security Medal (ASM), recognising contribution to security professionalism and providing examples of outstanding citizenship, positive leadership, insights or influence at a strategic management level.

The medals are presented by the Foundation’s Patron, The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, at a black-tie charity dinner. The fifth annual ASMF black-tie event will be held on Friday 19 June 2015 at the National War Memorial in Canberra.

The Foundation, in conjunction with St John Ambulance, also recently introduced a Save a Life Award for the hundreds of security operatives each year who save lives through rendering first aid. The Award is sent to the nominating entity for presentation at the recipient’s place of work.

In addition, the ASMF has established an International Security Study Fellowship, providing security students with an opportunity to study and gain experience overseas.

To learn more about the ASMF, reserve seats for the Canberra event, or submit an award nomination, visit: www.inspiringsecurity.com.

9 February 2015

Changes to the Security Industry Act 1997.

On 8 January 2015, minor changes to the Security Industry Act 1997 (the Act) commenced. The changes mainly provide more clarity, including that:

  • Class 1A, Class 1B, Class 1C, Class 1E and Class 1F licences do not authorise the licensee to carry on a security activity with a dog;
  • a Class 2A licence authorises the licensee to:

- sell security methods or principles; and
- act as a consultant by identifying and analysing security risks and providing solutions and management strategies to minimise those security risks;

  • a Class 2B licence authorises the licensee to:

- sell (and provide advice in relation to) security equipment;
- sell the services of persons to carry on any security activity;
- act as an agent for (or otherwise obtain contracts for) the supply of persons to carry on any security activity, the supply of any security equipment or the supply of any security activity; and
- broker any security activity by acting as an intermediary to negotiate and obtain any such activity for a person in return for a commission or financial benefit;

  • a master licence (other than a renewed licence) comes into force on the date specified in the licence;
  • a Class 1 or Class 2 licence (other than a renewed licence) comes into force on the day on which the licence is collected or, if the licence is posted to the licensee, 4 working days after the latest photograph of the licensee was taken.

Copies of the Security Industry Act 1997 incorporating these and other recent changes can be downloaded at http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au