THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................6

Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................................7

Unit of Analysis...........................................................................................................................8

Justification of Analysis...............................................................................................................9

Significance of the Study.............................................................................................................9

Background of the Study............................................................................................................10

Limitations of the Study.............................................................................................................11

Delimitations of the Study.........................................................................................................11

LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................................12

Private Security Industry............................................................................................................12

Private Security Industry in Trinidad and Tobago.....................................................................15

Covid-19 Virus...........................................................................................................................17

Impact of Covid-19 on the Private Security Industry................................................................22

METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................31

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.......................................................................................33

Undeveloped or Untrained staff.................................................................................................33

Human rights Encroachment......................................................................................................34

Lack of Personal Protective Equipment.....................................................................................35

Unpaid and Extended leave........................................................................................................36

CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................37

RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................39

Public and Private Sector Collaboration....................................................................................39

 Financial Aid and Support.........................................................................................................40

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................42

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 - State vs Private Security in the Caribbean.....................................................................14

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 - Top 5 Security Companies in Trinidad and Tobago.....................................................15

Figure 2 - Publication on the Statistics of Covid 19 in Trinidad and Tobago...............................18

Figure 3 - Measures Implemented by Heads of State worldwide..................................................19

Figure 4 - A timeline showing activities in Trinidad and Tobago at the start of Covid-19...........21

Figure 5 - Pictures of Security Officers conducting their new duties due to Covid-19.................24

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 INTRODUCTION

In a World where criminal activities are preferred over an honest day's work for an honest day's

wage, it is imperative to secure one's assets through the means of private security, physically

technically or otherwise. Though it is impossible to navigate or foresee the future challenges, it is

always prudent to prepare for the inevitable. This need originated from the craving to safeguard -

individuals, their possessions, and their property. In the first place, private security was given to

rulers, sentries and his warriors. The gatekeeper who was on night obligation on a long

excursion, the watchman outside an illustrious chamber around evening time, and the watchman

who saved watch in the tallest of structures for approaching dangers were all underlying types of

private security. As a result of such, private security evolved as the world advanced and

industrialized, and a far larger need for security emerged.

In December 2019, the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) reared its ugly head. This deadly virus

brought terror wherever it situated itself, which created a domino effect and crippled most of the

economic structure globally. The devastation of this dreaded virus forced the World into a

pandemic, which allowed for certain actions to be mandated in law to cope with such a disparity.

There has been a sharp increase in the demand for specific kinds of private security services

since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out (The Security Times, 2020). Given the importance of

the security industry, several businesses within the sector enjoyed tremendous growth, while

others had less business and even had to lay off some workers. Everyone working in the private

security industry has undoubtedly been impacted by the pandemic in some way (Wolfe, 2021).

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Statement of the Problem

The protection of life and property has become more crucial in many regions of the world,

including the Caribbean, due to the high prevalence of crime (The Security Times, 2020).

According to a survey conducted in 2021, Jamaica had the highest homicide rate among 22 Latin

American and Caribbean, with approximately 49.4 murders per 100,000 people. Venezuela

placed second with a murder rate of 40.9, while Honduras scored a third place with 38.6, and

Trinidad and Tobago fourth with 32.0 (Statista (2022). Security is the responsibility of the

police in any nation, yet police resources cannot always be made available. As a result, there are

now more companies offering private security services.

A security service is offered or provided by a proprietary security company, a security officer, or

a special security officer under the terms of the Trinidad and Tobago Act that pertains to creating

the private security service authority (The Estate Police Association of Trinidad and Tobago,

2022). Private security services have always been crucial for maintaining safety and security in a

variety of settings, but particularly in public areas. The duties of private security officers now go

beyond merely checking for intruders and making emergency calls. It has expanded in terms of

the duties that the officer is expected to do. The coronavirus pandemic had an exceptional impact

and continues to have one on families, companies, and the economy. As a result, the private

security business has shrunk in a number of sectors, but in certain areas, it is now seen as more

important than ever. Redeployment appears to be the norm among service companies, and the

crisis is having unanticipated effects on the industry (The Security Times, 2020).

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Operations of the private security industry which included Cash and Valuables in Transit (CiT),

aviation, and event security underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of new

services related to public health and safety precautions. Private security firms were affected by

this development and some found it difficult to keep staff. Many security companies were

unable to execute their regular operations, which led to lower or even no revenue for some of

them. Salary cuts and some job losses were experienced by industry workers. Some of the

security personnel were overburdened and worn out from doing additional tasks including crowd

management at grocery shops and medical facilities, monitoring everyone's temperature, and

working longer hours. Some officers were even mandated to either vaccinate or get fired. In

many ways, the industry was unprepared to handle this unforeseen circumstance. This research

paper will examine the impact of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) on the private security

industry which includes but is not limited to the human, financial and technological aspects.

Focus will be placed on the negative as well as the positive impacts which emanated during this

tragic era. Moreover, recommendations will also be given to private security companies on how,

when and what type of actions and movements to pursue, should there be another virus or

pandemic of this magnitude.

Unit of Analysis

The unit of analysis of this research related to the private security personnel in various security

organizations, both locally and internationally. However the study placed more emphasis on the

private security industry in Trinidad and Tobago and utilized a qualitative process through

extensive and in-depth literature review of the subject. Comparisons and analysis of secondary

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data collection was used to establish how the private security industry was affected by this

looming debacle, as well as recommendations were provided.

Justification of Analysis

Preventative measures sanctioned by the World Health Organization were; contact tracing,

vaccination programs, wearing of face masks, temperature scanning, physical distancing,

sanitizing and washing of hands. These were daily tasks assigned to each person to quell the

spread of the deadly virus. These public and social measures went into effect immediately,

henceforth, private security officers became healthcare workers because they were tasked with

carrying out these measures in the private and public arena. As a result of the COVID-19 virus,

pandemic and quarantine leave and vaccines were introduced to society. As a consequence of

this, the private security industry was impacted in a number of ways throughout this pandemic,

affecting the human aspect (physical security), technology and economically.

Significance of the Study

This study is expected to give data that can fill in as a premise guide and help the Government of

Trinidad and Tobago, investors as well as policymakers in laying out a system for local research

and study into this specific region, which will assist in making informed approaches and projects

to serve the private security industry, as it relates to preparing officers physically and mentally as

well as their employers for any other impending disasters. This research is necessary to highlight

what private security organizations and their counterparts encountered during the pandemic, how

they were affected, what challenges they faced. It also sought to address how security companies

are coping economically. Recommendations were suggested to mitigate certain negativities as to

not have these factors repeat themselves in the near future.

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Background of the Study

The private security industry is growing rapidly as the World develops and modernizes.

According to an article by the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security of the Caribbean

Community, (CARICOM IMPACS) “there is an estimation of one thousand private security

agencies registered across the fifteen member states of the Caribbean Community” (Bishop and

Montoute, 2017). This translates to well over thousands of private security employees plastered

across all fifteen-member states. The intended purpose of private security forces is to protect

assets and also to mitigate certain risks that may happen by means of criminal activities. As

indicated by an article in the local Guardian newspaper, the roles and training of a security

officer includes; note taking, crowd control, customer service, theft prevention, physical access

control etc (Trinidad Guardian, 2015). In a bid to quell the COVID-19 outbreak which took

effect from December 2019, private security companies responded by providing certain

healthcare initiatives as was recommended by the World Health Organization. However, in

some circumstances, these initiatives backfired, because some officers were not equipped with

proper training, personal protective equipment and when they were granted pandemic leave it

was unpaid. Some were also forced to use extended sick leave when they themselves or relatives

contracted the virus. There were also officers who contracted the disease primarily or by

secondary means which caused them to be incapacitated, while others succumbed. Additionally,

lack of physical security officers placed a strain on several locations that required manpower. In

contrast, although the human element was severely affected, the technological aspect was

somewhat fruitful.

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Limitations of the Study

Granted, it would have been ideal to conduct a total case study through the utilization of surveys,

questionnaires and interviews, which would have provided emotional responses to better

understand the interviewee’s perspective, however, the present COVID-19 situation did not

permit. With local security of Trinidad and Tobago playing a major role in the unit of analysis,

the present situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic presented severe limitations.

Moreover, the insufficient data and information relating to private security companies and their

employees in Trinidad and Tobago is inadvertently another limitation. Since partial measures

were still in the place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, parameters were instituted to restrict

the movement of person in and around libraries and private institutions. Acquiring information

was limited, it fell within the remits of necessary and priority. Additionally, the researcher was

affected spiritually and psychologically, since it was a bit hard to maintain focus, mainly because

the researcher is engrossed in the private security industry. In addition, the virus evidently made

its way through the confines of the researcher’s employ, thus enhancing the burden of work on

limited officers, which limited time and attention span as it relates to this paper. Thus, this

research paper will focus on the following; the private security industry and how it was affected

by Covid-19 as well as recommendations on how to counteract any such universal tragedy that

may arise in the future of this unfortunate nature as it relates to the private security industry.

Delimitations of the Study

The analysis of COVID-19's effects on the private security sector produced a vast amount of data

and research. As a result, the study's focus was limited to the twin islands of Trinidad and

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Tobago in order to better understand how COVID-19 influenced the country's private security

industry.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Private Security Industry

Private Security can be defined as all forms of private businesses and persons who offer security-

related services, such as investigation, guard, patrol, lie detection, alarm, and armored

transportation (FICCI, 2022). According to Richard (2015), the private security sector consists

of individuals who offer protection for persons and property under contractual agreements and

for financial gain. Crime prevention and detection are a common purpose shared by the majority

of the companies within the private security industry. The private security industry is divided

into two key groups: the security services sector, which deals with manned guards and cash

management services, and allied services, which deals with event security management and

security guard training services. (FICCI, 2022). Since the dawn of time, there has been a private

security sector. It generally goes back to the era of the Neanderthals and the Pharaohs, who used

armed guards to safeguard their property. The monarchy and the roads leading into the cities

were both protected by a system of defense in ancient Greece. The "12 tablets" (the earliest law

book) defining the regulations for safety and law enforcement were created by the Roman

Empire. During this period, the praetorians were created. The Praetorians were the earliest police

force, according to history (The Classroom, 2022). "Cave drawings and other artifacts plainly

proved that protection and enforcement were a concern of early humans," claims Carson (2022).

The kinds of techniques used to safeguard assets have changed over time and altered over the

years. Companies like ADT Security (American District Telegraph), originally started off as a

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messenger service in the United States and eventually became AT&T (American Telephone and

Telegram).

Between 1910 and 1930, ADT severed its ties to AT&T and made forays into other industries,

such as fire and burglar alarms (Carson, 2022). In essence, valuables were formerly delivered

by armed security in the past. Brinks Security is the company that opened the path for armored

cars to become widely used today. In 1927, a guy by the name of Perry Brinks created the first

completely armored automobile out of a school bus. To move valuables from one location to

another, the majority of private security firms work in tandem with armed cops to use this mode

of transportation (Carson, 2022).

The worldwide private security industry is an enormous business, with an expected worth of

US$100-billion to $165-billion every year and a yearly development pace of 7 to 8 percent

(Small Arms Survey 2011). Private Security Companies represent quite a bit of this

development, to a great extent in the creating scene. Group4Securicor (G4S), the world's biggest

PSC, is assessed to utilize over a large portion of 1,000,000 individuals, with yearly incomes of

$9-billion, and works in additionally 110 nations and more. While the proportions fluctuate from

one spot to another, in both developed and developing nations private security work force is

frequently more than that of the police force. The proportions will more often than not be higher,

be that as it may, in under developed nations where private security representatives surpass

public police by upwards of 10 to 1 (Abrahamsen and Williams 2007, p. 239). As illustrated in

Table 1, enlisted private security companies work force exceed police officers in Jamaica,

Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago (Hill 2010). Generally, in developed countries,

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private security officers usually receive hands on training that is explicit to the site to which they

are appointed.

Table 1 - State vs Private Security in the Caribbean

Source: (Hill, 2010)

This preparation incorporates crisis methodology, fire security frameworks, swarm control, and

obligation aversion. The officials will learn counteraction and reaction strategies, as well as

appropriate amazing skill and morals. Notwithstanding defensive measures, security officials

will be given training in viable report composing as well as appropriate court testimony. These

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abilities will be significant assuming a wrongdoing is perpetrated on your property. These

preparation strategies will occur in an 8 hour in-administration preparing source that should be

finished inside the initial 90 days of the task life safety modules as well as CPR and AED

preparations to secure everyone. (Security 2017).

Private Security Industry in Trinidad and Tobago

In Trinidad and Tobago, the private security industry is expanding quickly and now employs

more than 50,000 people, outnumbering the state security forces by a ratio of 1.6. Due to an

increase in crime, fast urbanization, and the economic growth of the extractive industries and

other firms, the sector's expansion is accompanied by an increase in experienced insecurity

(Montreux Document, 2022). Amalgamated Security Services Limited (ASSL), New Order

Security Services Limited (NOSS), Allied Security Services, G4S, and Telecom Security

Services are some of the largest private security companies in Trinidad and Tobago (The Estate

Police Association of Trinidad and Tobago, 2022). Figure 1 represents the top five security

companies in Trinidad and Tobago.

Figure 1 - Top 5 Security Companies in Trinidad and Tobago

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These private security services range from research and consulting to prisoner transport, armed

and unarmed guarding, vehicle patrols, canine services, cash management and protection, ground

support for air courier companies, entertainment and event security management, cash-in-transit

services, armored vehicles, and re-employment services, among other things. According to

Amalgamated Security Services Limited (2022), a person can qualify to be an officer after

undergoing the following: a certificate of good character, drug testing, physical and

psychological evaluations, as well as background checks. The process of becoming an officer is

still not particularly onerous. Officers entering the private security industry are provided with

security uniforms, batons, torchlights, policies, standing orders, and manuals pertaining to their

roles and responsibilities at the assigned location. Occasionally, specific training may be

necessary depending on the location or post. The majority of companies’ roster their officers on

twelve (12) hour shifts which also incorporates an hour lunch break.

Private security company, Amalgamated Security Services limited (ASSL) have the following

basic security training programs; customer service, handling bomb threats, report writing, access

control, police liaison, use of force, fire and safety prevention, traffic control, search procedures,

first aid, patrol techniques and crisis management. (“Amalgamated Security Services Limited,

2022). These are coupled with the basic rights of the employees in Trinidad and Tobago and

guides the private security officers. According to International Labour Law these rights include

but are not limited to; minimum wage, hours of work, payment of overtime rates, meal and rest

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breaks, vacation leave, sick leave, and maternity benefits. (“National Labour Law Profile:

Trinidad and Tobago” 2011). In the aforementioned the rights of the officer are basically what is

enshrined in the labour laws of Trinidad and Tobago.

Unions and Associations were created to promote equity between officers and management

whilst in the execution of their duties, one such association is the Estate Police Association,

which represents, but is not limited to precepted officers (The Estate Police Association of

Trinidad and Tobago, 2022). In recent times, security officers were regularly stationed at malls,

schools, government buildings, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, commercial and residential

places. In retrospect, security officers are now seen any and everywhere. In the year 2018, life

in the private security carried normal challenges for private security companies such as petty

theft, larceny and other regular issues that are usually encountered by loss prevention officers.

Inadvertently, the narrative shifted with the advent of the novel corona virus which came to

fruition in December, 2019.

Covid-19 Virus

The corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an unexpectedly high number of

hospitalizations for pneumonias with multiorgan illness. COVID-19 is caused by a new

coronavirus that leads to serious acute respiratory illness (SARS-CoV-2). SARS CoV-2 infection

can be asymptomatic or produce a wide range of symptoms, including moderate upper

respiratory tract infection and life-threatening sepsis (Zhu. et. al, 2019). COVID-19 was

originally identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, when a cluster of individuals with

pneumonia of unclear etiology was identified. SARS-CoV-2 reportedly infected more than 200

nations as of July 1, 2020, resulting in more than 10 million identified cases and 508 000 verified

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fatalities (Zhu. et. al 2019). This deadly virus brought terror wherever it situated itself, which

created a domino effect and crippled most of the economic structure globally.

As the deadly virus made its way through nations locally and internationally, it trampled upon

the lives of citizens, wreaking havoc on economies and depleting the lives of those that showed

weakness as it relates to comorbidities. Figure 2 shows the statistics on the amount of Covid-19

cases in Trinidad and Tobago, as at May 2021.

Figure 2 - Publication on the Statistics of Covid 19 in Trinidad and Tobago

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Source: (Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, 2021)

Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, decisions were by Heads of State and health organizations to

prevent the spread of the deadly virus in the race to preserve human lives. The World Health

Organization implemented certain measures that persons can protect themselves and others from

infection by physical distancing, staying at least 1 meter apart from others, wearing a properly

fitted mask, and washing of hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. `

Figure 3 - Measures Implemented by Heads of State worldwide

Source: (World Health Organization, 2022)

There were lock downs in effect locally and internationally as well (World Health Organization,

2022). The devastation of this dreaded virus forced the World into a pandemic, which allowed

for certain actions to be mandated in law to cope with such a disparity. As time passed, there

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were lock downs and state of emergencies, healthcare issues, as well as the closure of schools,

malls, places of worship and the disruption of the life’s necessities globally.

World Health Organization imposed certain actions on the Heads of states as a way to save lives

and slowly commence the reopening of the economy and life, one in which individuals have

come to know as normal (World Health Organization, 2022). The ability to move and travel, the

ability to enjoy complete advancements, and the ability to spend time with companions or

associates at the diner have all been rattled. Working and meeting techniques were radically

changed, with prospective new proclivities being set as long as feasible. These constraints have

a significant impact on the private security industry.

Meanwhile, in Trinidad and Tobago, there were a chain of events happening. Trinidad and

Tobago was affected by the global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),

which was confirmed to have reached the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on March 12, 2020.

(Charan, 2020). The cases then began to increase as citizens returned from vacations, business

excursions, and international educational and training experiences. Prime Minister of Trinidad

and Tobago, Mr. Keith Rowley announced that the country was required to close its borders to

everyone except to returning nationals and health workers following the emergence of COVID-

19. The border closure came into effect by midnight on March 17, 2020. To promote trade and

maintain a sustained supply of food and goods, including pharmaceutical and medical items

necessary for human protection, exceptions were made for sea and air transport. Simultaneously,

there were the closures of schools, places of worship and non-essential organizations. This

prompted or initiated a new era which allowed for employees of different organizations to work

from home. The private security industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. While

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certain security guard services were being cut in a variety of sectors and geographies, security

services were becoming valued in other places (Charan, 2020).

Figure 4 illustrates the timeline of activities which took place during the period January to April,

2020 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Figure 4 - A timeline showing activities in Trinidad and Tobago at the start of Covid-19

Source: (Tillman and Harrikissoon, 2022).

Due to the safety measures the Trinidad and Tobago government had put in place for the less

spreading of the virus, the services of the private security officers were required. According to a

report published on April 7, 2020 by the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago,

the government of Trinidad and Tobago recruited four private security firms to act as the "eyes

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and ears" for the police to offer mobile security patrol services in various districts around

Trinidad on a round-the-clock basis from April 6 to May 5, 2020 Clyne (2020).

Impact of Covid-19 on the Private Security Industry

COVID-19 has an obvious financial impact on security companies all over the world. No

industry seems to be immune to the effects of an unexpected, surprising, and major global

catastrophe like this pandemic. Of course, the security guard sector is similar. The need for

security personnel at hotels and events is also declining as a result of the service sector's almost

total shutdown. On the flip side of that, there was a rise in the need for security personnel at

grocery store chains, hospitals, critical enterprises, and temporarily abandoned buildings. As

such, numerous legislatures and different entertainers, were arranging private security under the

guise of an “essential service’ or 'precarious occupation. While the number of security guards

are decreasing in some sectors and geographies, security services are now seen as much more

important than before. In the service companies contacted, redeployment appears to be the norm,

and the crisis is having an impact on the sector in ways that were unforeseeable just a few weeks

ago.

Additionally, governments and the private sector locally and internationally depended on crisis

regulation to cope with the general health emergency, and as an outcome were going to private

security suppliers to fill public security demands. The private security industry became once

more the gatekeepers of establishments deemed as “essentials.” The essential organizations were

those in relation to the health, food, national security, private security and a few private offices in

the same field. As it stands, the job of a security officer can be life threatening however, the

pandemic may have added to that as the job of an officer entailed dealing with the public,

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unaware of their status. The pandemic expanded the role of the private security industry. Given

that security personnel outnumber public law enforcement by almost two to one, their

contribution to this pandemic is equally important to note.

Security officers were now tasked with a range of important duties, including assisting

governments’ health policies to support public compliance with laws such as physical distancing,

business closures, bans on mass gatherings and lockdowns (Richards, 2015). To put it simple,

security officers were assigned the task of standing at the entrances of organizations to conduct

temperature testing, supervising physical distancing, paying attention to the mandatory use of

hand washing and sanitizing at the stations for customers, ensuring that face masks are worn

correctly, while protecting themselves in the process. Figure 5 gives a graphical representation of

some duties carried out by security officers. The Covid-19 pandemic has a number of effects on

security sector and oversight agencies, from changing duties and health safety worries to a rise in

demand for their operations (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, 2021).

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Figure 5 - Pictures of Security Officers conducting their new duties due to Covid-19

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Since many security officers have been given responsibilities during this pandemic that are not

typically under the purview of their role, there are concerns about whether security firms and

security officers have the right structures, training, personal protective equipment, as well as the

legal framework to deal with the pandemic (Washington State Department of Social and Health

Services, 2021). Employers were to ensure that their officers were equipped with the correct

personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform such strenuous tasks as it coincided with the

mandatory guidelines of the amended Public Health Ordinance Act and that of the ‘new normal.’

Although the officers had to pay attention to the above, there were also irate customers that

rallied around non-compliance of mask wearing for a plethora of reasons that may seem relevant

to them, which also fell under the purview of the private security officers. According to an article

in Bloomberg, this aspect also proved to be dangerous coupled with the pending pandemic.

(Mosendz et al., 2021).

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2020), due to the COVID-19

pandemic, personal protective equipment is in short supply for emergency medical, law

enforcement, and fire department, however, a large number of groups and individuals are

collaborating to quickly create original solutions to the PPE shortage. The new coronavirus is

putting lives at risk, according to a World Health Organization (2020) warning about the serious

and growing interruption to the worldwide production of personal protective equipment brought

on by growing demands, panic buying, stockpiling, and misuse. Personal protection equipment is

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a necessity for frontline personnel, such as security officers, to keep themselves safe while

performing their jobs. Lack of these PPE prevents security officials from having access to supply

of items including gloves, masks, and face shields.

Particularly, the resilience of the nation amidst the pandemic was astounding as there were high

praises allotted to the government agencies that were able to curb the outbreak in the small sister

isle of Trinidad and Tobago in its early stages. However, locally and internationally, the stench

of death became overwhelming a year later and the virus pummeled private security industries to

its physical core. Inadvertently, as the easing of restrictions came into play, the private security

industry was faced with a high percentage of deaths and mass infections of officers, mainly those

that were on the frontline. An article written by Eller Tansley, statistics retained from the Office

for National According to data on deaths caused by COVID-19 in the private security industry in

the United States, men who work in security jobs had the second-highest rate of COVID-19

deaths, at 93.4 per 100,000 men (153 deaths) (Tasley, 2002). Locally, an article written in

Newsday, disclosed that the National Maintenance Training and Security (MTS) a local security

company in Trinidad and Tobago, suffered the loss of twenty-five (25) officers in the line of duty

during the pandemic (Tack et al., 2022). This could have been as a result of poor personal

protective equipment (PPE) causing officers to come in contact with infected persons which

unknowingly caused the spread of the virus among their peers and family members. This

information was based on reports in an article written in European Journal of International Law

by Sorcha Mc Leod. (MacLeod, 2020).

Furthermore, the Heads of states and government agencies worldwide, introduced pandemic and

quarantine leave once affected by the dreaded virus. Labour Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,

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Ms. Jennifer Baptiste Primus was quoted by the local Express newspaper stating “those eligible

for pandemic leave include public officers, fixed term contract employees, short term contract

employees, OJT, office holders in salary review.” (Kissoon, 2020).

To assume there was an inclusion of the private security industry in that statement would be

politically and by all means, incorrect. In contrast, the private security industry was left to utilize

quarantine leave (which was in excess of 21 days and more based on the severity of the situation)

by exploiting their sick leave and extended sick leave in order to source wages whilst being

impacted by the virus. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), the

phrase "pandemic leave" can be widely interpreted to describe any leave that might be required

due to the Covid-19 pandemic, whether it be directly or indirectly, for which there are no

provisions in the employment contract, company policy, or collective bargaining agreement.

Employers are not required by law to offer "pandemic leave" in any specific circumstances.

While weighing the operational, economic, and financial obstacles of the current situation,

employers nonetheless have a basic need to treat requests for such leave with flexibility,

reasonableness, and compassion.

Moreover, reassurance and comfort came in the form of knowing that vaccines were on the way,

this became a light at the end of the tunnel for some, and for others, a way to create population

control. With the introduction of the vaccine rollouts, came safe zones. A safe zone was

considered as an organization where only vaccinated persons were allowed to patronize. This

also included locations and clients related to the private security industry. The heads of state

recommended that persons get vaccinated in order to resume operations. There were vaccination

drives initiated by the Security Owners and Managers of Trinidad and Tobago (SOMATT) as

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well as the Association of Security Companies of Trinidad and Tobago (ASCOTT) which led to

the vaccination of three thousand (3000) security officers. (CNC3, 2021) This represented a mere

fraction of security officers in the industry.

Albeit, a few months later, there was a call for mandatory vaccination by governments. There

were officers who were vaccinated of their own volition, there were others who thought their

basic human rights were being trampled and discriminated against because, they would not

secede to mandatory vaccination. This brought with it another challenge for the industry, a great

divide. The Estate Police Association (EPA) a local Association that represents Estate constables

and their industrial practices were quoted by a local news source lobbying for the protection of

the officers’ constitutional rights to protect their medical information (Ghouralal, 2022). This

was necessary as most organizations were requesting immunization records to work or even

enter establishments. The President of the Industrial court, Deborah Thomas-Felix, also

expressed that mandatory vaccination cannot be implemented by employers. (Achong, 2021).

This information only caused the unvaccinated security officers to leave or stay away from their

jobs for personal reasons such as being terrified of how the vaccine would affect those with ill-

health as well as those who may have received it can still be infected with the virus, in retrospect,

there were issues all around. Internationally however, private security officers were being

assaulted, threatened and ridiculed when tasked with performing their duties bestowed to them

by the employer. One such portfolio was the request to view the immunization status of

customers, and if the customers were unvaccinated, the policy regarded the officer to deny them

entry to the establishment. This action created a lot of staff shortages, since officers were tired

and overwhelmed with their new roles and were also treated badly by customers (Lowe, 2022).

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The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago stated in an article, that he asked his unvaccinated

security officers to stay away, due to the fact that he was vaccinated and the officers were not.

(Mc Eachnie, 2021).

Economically, relatively small or budding security companies may have had to close its doors

due to staff shortages and the inability to employ enough vaccinated personnel to place on

locations. This action left many security officers jobless. On the other hand, the electronic

aspect of private security, somewhat replaced physical security in some areas. Although this may

seem positive, the revenue may not have been enough to sustain a company with over (4000)

four thousand officers and their families. Extraordinary choices were taken by state run

administrations, in a request to safeguard the wellbeing framework and to forestall emergency

clinics from being overpowered. Pictures from Italy, where the pandemic originally hit Europe,

were incredibly shocking and anything must be done to save lives. Life as we had known it for a

long time, came to a total halt. In this unexpected quietness, the just sounds heard were those

individuals who had no way out except for those who had to go out and attempt to ensure the

fundamental requirements of society were met, for food and cleanliness, for wellbeing and

security. Those working in the hospitality sectors, crisis benefits, the cleaning and sterilization

area, food and quick purchaser merchandise supply chains, general stores, processing, handling,

and private security administrations, were there to help. They took a chance even though the

infection was less known than it is today.

Security guards, particularly those working in hospitals and medical facilities, have frequent

close encounters with patients and are therefore at a higher risk of contracting an infection. The

World Health Organization launched a number of online training sessions for frontline staff on

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COVID-19 in an effort to improve their understanding of preventive measures, including raising

their awareness of the virus and preparing them for it. The organisation further advised that it is

crucial to teach front-line personnel that the best strategies to stop the spread of Covid-19 are a

face mask, a distance of at least one meter, good hand cleanliness, and eye protection (Chang,

2020).

While the World Health Organisation claimed training was provided for frontline workers, an

article written by Basu (2020), espouses that security officers were not trained in the capacity of

temperature scanning, mandating the wearing of masks for customers and other areas associated

with the new normal, they claimed that they were only trained to secure assets from thieves and

criminals.

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 METHODOLOGY

This research is exploratory in nature as it seeks to examine how the private security industry

was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. A qualitative approach was adopted through employing

secondary research data from articles, studies and empirical information derived from the United

States, Europe and some Caribbean countries to explore and examine the following research

question; The impact of Covid-19 on the private security industry. There were a few

impediments of optional examination, head of which is the way that the exactness of the

information and the trustworthiness of the information data collection is not known. Despite this,

essential examination can empower a researcher to assemble unique information that is

concurrent and well defined for the research topic in which trust in the information and the

uprightness of the information can be guaranteed. Furthermore, secondary research gives an

abundance of data that can be exceptionally helpful and relevant, given that care is taken to

guarantee that there is adequate information accessible for the examination point. Moreover, the

information ought to be applicable via closeness in ideas with the unit of estimation and finally,

it ought to be precise, as confirmed by the technique and the dependability of the sources used.

Although having made use of a secondary research methodology; research and research findings

from newspaper articles, journals, magazines, private security organizations, among others were

examined. Likewise, a literature review was led on the topic from all around referred to

scholastic sources comprehensive of books, statistical reports, newspaper articles and academic

diaries. The materials audited comprised of both subjective and quantitative exploration system

which included reviews, polls, information investigation and contextual analyses. Data was

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additionally obtained from the overall web from credible sources comprehensive of, government

and academic sites.

Additionally, a reasonable level of effort was done to guarantee that appropriate conventions and

techniques were stuck to in the assortment of information to guarantee the quality, certainty,

consistency, dependability and legitimacy of the discoveries. In this way, data was accumulated

from overviews led by legitimate associations like the Office for National Statistics, (which is a

UK based independent producer of statistical information regionally and locally). Other

Organisations such as The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization

(WHO) was used to gather data in order to elaborate on the status of the impact of the disease on

human life, several private security companies, recruiting processes and services. The Estate

Police Association, the Industrial court of Trinidad and Tobago and a few other organisations

were also used to shed some pertinent light on this investigative topic.

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 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Having broken down the information gathered according to the impact of COVID19 on the

private security industry, it was noticed that a few key elements required consideration. The

studies identified the areas of; undeveloped or untrained staff, human rights encroachment,

exploitation, joblessness, absence of personal protective equipment and absence of mindfulness

in the working environment as key difficulties. Also noteworthy, was the fact that although there

was a significant amount of information with respect to the virus and how it works the private

security industry scarcely considered how the lives of the officers that might have been impacted

as well as the lives of their families. In essence, little to no attention was given on the matter of

officers contracting the virus. How would their family's function if there were causes for the

officers to take extended sick leave, what other imperative could they access in order to feed

their families due to the officers contracting this deadly virus? Contrastingly, the public sector

was outfitted with available resources, such as pandemic leave to manage the difficulties that

introduced itself as it relates to this lethal illness. The sections below will discuss the areas

identified as concerns for the security officers during the pandemic.

Undeveloped or Untrained staff

Perhaps one of the most significant causes of the severe negative impact relating to the private

security industry during Covid 19 pandemic was the fact that most of the officers were not

properly trained by their organizations to act as temporary health officials. An article written by

Basu 2020, espouses that security officers were not trained in the capacity of temperature

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scanning, mandating the wearing of masks for customers and other areas associated with the new

normal, they claimed that they were only trained to secure assets from thieves and criminals.

A study indicated that because of the closure of night clubs and certain small businesses, security

personnel were initiated into the job of a security officer with little to no knowledge of how to

deal with their new roles and functions. According to an article written by Black Country

Chamber of Commerce (2020), this resulted in the high death rates during the early stages of the

pandemic. This type of situation eventually perpetuates some form of ignorance, as the

individual may eventually contract the deadly disease and even worse, transfer it to family and

sometimes coworkers.

Human rights Encroachment

A major challenge faced by the security industry that left the organizations in disarray was

during the vaccination era. Officers were unable to secure a location to ply their skill because of

their refusal to vaccinate. Some had their personal beliefs whilst others were just unsure due to

lack of transparency by public officials. Vaccination cards were issued to persons that were

‘jabbed,’ this would have guaranteed a spot on a location allegedly because clients preferred

vaccinated officers with opposed to unvaccinated. The human rights encroachment was evident

when the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago stated in an article that he asked his

unvaccinated security officers to stay away, this was based on Mr. Rowley being vaccinated and

the officers were not. (Mc Eachnie, 2021). Apart from infringing on the basic human rights of

the officers, there was also the point to note that it goes against the Constitution, which is along

the lines of the right to keep your medical information private. This demand for vaccination

status caused a lot of persons in the field of security to enter the realm of unemployment, which

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created a ripple effect for the industry because lack of physical security caused contract

terminations for young and upcoming companies, due to stagnation and lack of fulfillment of

contractual obligations.

Lack of Personal Protective Equipment

In analyzing the impact of COVID19 in the private security industry, statistics showed that one

of the most deaths in the realm of essential workers globally was that of male security officers.

This may well be as a result of poor personal protective equipment as officers are faced daily

with persons that are asymptomatic or even symptomatic, entering facilities that they are charged

with the responsibility of protecting, while some employers prefer making cutbacks to save

money over human lives. Lack of proper personal protective equipment allows for the officers to

contract the virus, which they will take home to their families. This may also cause low staffing

which creates unsafe workloads, as well as an officer or employer concealing their health status

to save money, their job or organization. The National Maintenance Training and Security

(MTS) a local security company declared that the company suffered the loss of twenty-five (25)

officers in the line of duty during the pandemic (Tack et al., 2022). This could have been the

result of a lack of wearing the correct personal protective equipment.

In addition, measures could have been taken to mitigate the vulnerability of working alone in

addition to the critical PPE needed to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19.

A wide range of lone worker safety technologies are available to give employees peace of mind

and the ability to summon assistance quickly if necessary. These technologies range from

specialized personal safety devices that allow workers to covertly raise an alarm to lone worker

apps that can be downloaded onto smartphones or tablets for a more economical approach.

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Unpaid and Extended leave

Different organizations lobbied on behalf of the private security industry such as the Estate

Police Association among others. Once an officer contracted the virus, it was common

knowledge that the quarantine process should be met and carried out. In the initial stages, private

security officers were advised to utilize their sick leave (14 days) to which they were paid. Days

in excess of the certified sick leave were considered as extended sick leave which was seldom

paid for by the organization. Officers were forced to use their vacation days, which were later

confiscated by this deadly disease and an unfair government régime for failing to assist these

officers and their families.

If that was not enough, there was a stipulated amount of time mandated by the World Health

Organization to acquire the vaccine if previously infected, wait time; three months. Inadvertently

after the officer exhausted all his leave granted to him, he had to wait in excess of three months

to be vaccinated in order to assume his duties. This created staff shortages and eventually,

revenue losses and a high turnover relating to unemployment. Notwithstanding, some

organizations may have been able to sustain their economic structure during the COVID19 era,

by way of utilizing their technical departments which uses little to no physical security (CCTV,

biometrics, remote access) the smaller organizations felt the brunt as they are only just starting

out and their main source of income was derived from physical security. Ultimately, they had to

close some branches or their doors entirely because they were not able to sustain business

continuity.

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 CONCLUSION

The effects of the pandemic and the numerous vulnerabilities it involved on the worldwide

economy, social attachment and furthermore, security as a general rule, yet additionally the

monetary circumstance in the private security industry presents both the industry and public

sector with a significant scope of difficulties such as financial challenges; in this paper, we

depicted the financial outcomes of the pandemic on the private security industry. In numerous

business sections, organizations depend on brief time frame working guidelines to keep private

security officials in their work. Moreover, numerous clienteles are compromised in their actual

presence or will confront an exceptionally sluggish monetary recuperation, with ramifications for

private security. This makes for a dubious future for some organizations and their

representatives.

Secondly, for a long time, the private security industry has been constantly languishing from the

absence of skilled workers against a rising business sector interest and, while the crisis has

briefly facilitated these deficiencies, it is normal that they will turn out to be much more critical

once the pandemic is finished. In the event that private security officials currently pass on the

area because of the crisis in various business fragments, it will be difficult to answer the interest

for administrations in a post-crisis time or currently before in the event that new difficulties to

public safety, health, and security arises. As depicted before, this challenge is especially

pertinent in the private security arena, where there is a need now for satisfactory contracting

practices that is necessary to manage this issue.

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Additionally, the acknowledgment of private security as an "essential service" or a "basic

occupation" is as yet not a reality Worldwide. Governments didn't answer the critical need of

perceiving private security as an essential service. As a result, children of private security

officials could in certain nations not benefit from admittance to day care during the lockdown.

Additionally, the private security industry was in certain nations not focused on for admittance to

personal protective gear gear (PPE). Moreover, private security officials frequently don't profit

from similar degree of legitimate insurance against demonstrations of third-party viciousness as

cops, despite the fact that they make a momentous commitment to the security of our society. In

some Member States, public authorities showed an absence of familiarity with the need to more

readily perceive the job of private security to handle the emergency in a security spectrum.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS

With the findings of the impact of Covid-19 on the private security industry, the information

provided below is recommended to assist the security industry.

Public and Private Sector Collaboration

While the assurance of public security is the sole skill of policing public specialists, public

powers cannot secure each health facility, critical foundation or production site. This is

particularly evident in a worldwide emergency, which requires a huge labour force on the ground

that ensures the working of an assortment of frameworks and the wellbeing of residents. Under

the oversight of policing, security obviously assumes a fundamental part in dealing with the

emergency and various difficulties to public wellbeing and security. To genuinely follow through

on the aforementioned and empower private security organizations and labourers in giving

fundamental administrations, public specialists must:

 Engage in an exchange with the public sector for the private security industry in a bid to

address most dire difficulties that influence the protected and viable arrangement of the

private security businesses mutually.

 Guarantee the free development of private security officials in instances of future lockdowns,

so they can keep satisfying their central goal.

 Provide satisfactory childcare answers for private security officials, who are working during

conceivable future lockdowns or other emergency circumstances.

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 Ensure that there is a particular guideline set up for Private Security Monitoring

Rooms/Control Rooms, that, if there should arise an occurrence of contamination takes into

account business continuity. These rooms play out a fundamental public security task and

ought to be important for essential services that must be guaranteed during lockdown periods.

 Set up satisfactory, lawful assurance of private security labourers against demonstrations of

outsider savagery, in accordance with the protection of law enforcement officers.

 Adhere to fair contractual obligations with private security organizations. The same

organizations and their staff that safeguard the public need monetary security themselves.

 When performing assignments on the side of policing, private security officers with

satisfactory admittance to individual defensive hardware (PPE).

 Consider private security officers for admittance to immunizations against SARS-CoV-2

when accessible, on a deliberate premise.

Financial Aid and Support

Assistance and support should be rapidly accessible to in any case, feasible organizations with

low managerial weight. Furthermore, the appropriate authorities should draw in with sectoral

social accomplices to track down fast solutions, arrangements memorable endeavors to give

monetary help to laborers and organizations experiencing the Coronavirus pandemic. Moreover,

it is imperative to know that private security is important as it has close relation to the

transportation industry as well as others, which have been especially hit by the pandemic.

Financial aid will assist specified areas which will be important for those ventures that have been

put to an end and cannot restart without extra safety performed by private security, likewise to

hold laborers and guarantee the manageability of organizations.

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Everything should be finished to safeguard most impacted areas like the travel industry and

exchange. Especially in transport furthermore, the travel industry, a sectoral emergency might

send shockwaves across whole economies, so it is vital that the pandemic's financial effect is

retained while complying with high wellbeing and security principles.

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