Problems with the guard register
At the beginning of June 2019, a central guard register was activated in Germany in which all private security guards are registered. But this is not fully functional, complains the security association BDSW.
The new nationwide Guard register was supposed to simplify processes, provide more transparency and reduce bureaucracy in background checks for employees of private security companies. "A quarter of a year after the official launch of the register, however, the reality unfortunately looks completely different. The registry is not fully functional. Data collection and filling of the register have simply been shifted to the security companies with a deadline that is far too short. Many representatives of the authorities in the municipalities are not adequately prepared for their task. At the moment, a bureaucracy monster and a growth brake for the security industry has been created," said BDSW President Gregor Lehnert, President of the German Security Industry Association (BDSW) recently at a press briefing in Berlin.
Security providers have not yet received clearance for about 75% of the nearly 270,000 security workers, or the workers have been "rejected" for unexplained reasons. Meanwhile, however, all security companies must use their employees to provide security for their customers. "Unfortunately, however, we are still miles away from a truly functional guard register that actually corresponds to its intended function," Lehnert said.
Association still in favor of a register
In principle, the association continues to welcome the register. "In the long term, it will help to reduce bureaucracy and speed up reliability checks for traders and employees," said Lehnert. However, it is now important that something is changed immediately in the process and the currently completely unstructured situation through a joint effort by the Federal Ministry of Economics and the states. "For a comprehensive solution to the problem, we once again propose a round table to the Federal Ministry of Economics, in which we will participate at any time," said Lehnert.
Through no fault of their own, our member companies are currently often unable to comply with all the legal requirements of the guarding law due to inaction on the part of the state. New orders cannot be accepted despite great demand for security services. "Increasingly, black sheep are entering the market, bringing their personnel to work without clearance from the authorities. Reputable security companies and transparency suffer as a result. This government failure is creating security gaps in Germany," Lehnert further opined.
BDSW key issues paper
According to Lehnert, however, the problems with the guard register must not be allowed to delay work on the security services law planned by the grand coalition. The BDSW presented its key points on this a few days ago, he said. The Key Issues Paper contains the most important demands and proposals of the association. "We are the experts and at the same time those directly affected by the planned law. With our key points paper, we are offering politicians expert support in this urgently needed reorganization process to improve the framework conditions for the private security industry," Lehnert emphasized.
Future regulations for the industry must focus on further increasing security in Germany. Freedom of trade for security service providers is the wrong approach, he said. The federal government has recognized that trade law can no longer be the basis of our trade, he said. "With our key points paper, we are taking up the statements in the coalition agreement and presenting requirements for a security services law to be passed before the end of this legislative period," Lehnert concluded.
BDSW press release
Further article on the topic: "False guard register"
