Details of a named SIA security operative's past misconduct
Published 5 October 2021
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1. Request
I would like to request information about all previous incidents of misconduct from [REDACTED] who works in One Stop Shopping Centre, Security, Perry Bar, Birmingham.
This is due to an incident of misconduct that occurred today at around 14:20 where [REDACTED] swore at members of the public. The situation escalated and only resolved when another member of security had to walk [REDACTED] away whilst he was swearing publicly at the top of his voice.
2. Response
The SIA does not run a formal complaints scheme in relation to the conduct of individuals operating in the private security industry. When the SIA receives information from a member of the public regarding the conduct of a private security operative it is treated as intelligence. This is because any information received can only be utilised by the SIA in so far as it informs any investigation into breaches of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 or the licence conditions.
The SIA does not typically release intelligence or provide an update regarding any action taken in relation to intelligence. This policy was developed in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which provides public authorities with an exemption from disclosing information relating to investigations and proceedings an authority conducts (section 30) and from disclosing any information that would prejudice the authority’s ability to exercise its statutory functions (section 31). Subsection (3) of both of these sections provides the SIA with an exemption from confirming or denying whether any intelligence is held.
The SIA acknowledges there is a public interest in the public being made aware of whether and what action is taken by the SIA in relation to intelligence it holds, because it allows for public scrutiny of its effectiveness as a regulator and contributes to public confidence regarding standards within the security industry. However, the SIA considers there is a more significant public interest in ensuring that the disclosure of intelligence should not prejudice its ability to conduct its investigations and exercise its regulatory functions - for example by protecting the integrity of ongoing and/or future investigations.
You may submit any concerns you have about the conduct this individual operative via the Report a Crime or Concern webpage.
[Reference: FOI 0281]