Cops to keep eye on security agencies

Come 2014, and Karnataka will be the first state in the country to provide a database of security personnel, including their family background, previous employer, reason for quitting, and more importantly, biometric details.

Additional director general of police (ADGP), internal security, Karnataka, will be the 'controller' of these security agencies and their employees, keeping an eagle eye on the activities of the security personnel deployed at different organizations in various capacities.

The website database will contain details of their family background and will help trace those with criminal antecedents. Besides, the site will double as a complaint box where the public can drop in their grievances.

Bhaskar Rao, inspector general of police, internal security, told TOI they are in the process of setting up the database and collecting details of various security agencies from across the state. "There are a total of 1,500 security agencies across Karnataka and 950 of them are licensed. A total of 4.65 lakh employees work as security personnel in different private organizations," he told TOI.

Rao feels when the police department has a disciplined database of its staff, there should be one for security personnel too, who are greater in number. "There are nearly 1lakh police personnel across Karnataka, ranging from DG-IGP to police constable, whereas security personnel are almost five times more," he said. Rao said the website is yet to be named.

DATA WILL HELP COPS AND PUBLIC

The website will contain a detailed history of security personnel. The data will reveal the entire history of the staff, including their family background. This will help us trace personnel with criminal backgrounds and filter them. It will also help us recruit people with a clean background.

Bhaskar Rao | igp, internal security

I welcome the step to set up a database. The system will help keep criminals at bay, and public confidence in security agencies will go up.

KP Nagesh | president, karnataka security service association

It's a good decision and will benefit society. Many security personnel have been involved in anti-social activities and even heinous crimes like murder. Recently, a couple of security guards were arrested for stealing money from ATMs. Such things will now come down drastically. The personnel will also be careful, as they know they are under the scanner. Employers can also check out the background of the candidates and hire them accordingly.

Kamal Pant | additional commissioner of police (law and order)

KNOW YOUR SECURITY GUARD

* There are 10 levels of employment in security agencies, from guard to manager or managing director

* Categories: Security guard, head security guard, supervisor, assistant security officer, security assistant manager, field officer, field manager, area manager, manager or managing director

* Minimum education: SSLC or Class X or equivalent course

* Salary: Starts at Rs 9,000, goes up to Rs 50,000

NUMBERS IN KARNATAKA

Personnel: 4.65 lakh

Agencies: 1,500

Licensed agencies: 950

Non-licensed agencies: 550

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Cops-to-keep-eye-on-security-agencies/articleshow/20904200.cms