If you pay well, you'll get proficient guards

Even while most banks and jewellery shops in the city pay scant regard to security measures, gold merchants in Raja Street and Big Bazar Street have woken up to reality. From March, two physically fit armed security personnel will roam the streets at night, providing protection to over 150 small scale shops engaged in gold business.

K Krishnamurthy of Coimbatore jewellers association, says the Tirupur burglary forced traders to tighten security measures. The security personnel will guard the shops from 6 pm to 6 am. The association will appoint additional security guards who would roam the streets but without weapons.

Sixty-two-year-old security guard N Subhash Raj (name changed on request) says poor pay and huge commission taken by middle men prevent youngsters from joining this field. "A security guard is paid very little. Those who avail our service know we can do nothing in the face of a robbery. They create an illusion that they are safe, recruiting aged men at meager salaries. I get Rs 4,000 per month but the agency takes Rs 800 from me. How can I survive on this,'' he asks.

According to A Xavier of globe detective agency which supplies security guards, unauthorized agencies have been on the rise. "As per law, each agency must be registered with the local police. It must give basic details of those recruited to the police. But this is not being done. We take finger prints of the recruited to submit to police and employer. Their background is scrutinized apart from collecting their personal documents,'' he said.
"If you want proficient guards, you have to pay accordingly. The government must announce a pay scale for security guards,'' says N Manikandan, who runs a security agency.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-29/coimbatore/31110489_1_security-guards-security-personnel-security-agency