The SIA's view on the security guarding course
Published 6 February 2025
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Request
I request the SIA’s view on the security guarding course, considering that it does not include physical intervention modules even though force can be used to effect an arrest Section 24A Police and Criminal Evidence Act in accordance with Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act, for those committing Section 1 theft offences.
I also request the SIA’s view on allowing officers to use batons as an application of force if officer presence, pain compliance, and tactical communications fail.
Please can the SIA release a statement on whether they support the use of mechanical restraints, leg restraints, spit guards and handcuffs. The SIA released a statement about handcuffs in 2020 but not one about restraints in general.
Response
The SIA does not hold this information.
The Freedom of Information Act (the Act) gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. We are not required to create new information to respond to a request or to give a judgement or an opinion on subject matters within our remit or on information that is not already recorded. As your request is asking for an opinion, it falls outside the scope of the Act.
[Ref: FOI 0539]