Shields advocates for more high-tech security solutions
... questions call for 60-hour work week for guards
Published:Saturday | October 8, 2022 | 12:08 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Security consultant Mark Shields believes that security companies should provide more technology-based services instead of relying solely on manpower.
His suggestion comes as a 50 per cent cost increase looms over the industry after a recent Supreme Court ruling that guards are employees and not contractors, as previously classified by security companies. The ruling means companies will now have to start paying a portion of the guards’ National Housing Trust (NHT) contributions and provide additional benefits.
Arguing that there is an “unhealthy dependence on guards”, the former deputy commissioner of police, who now operates Shields Crime & Security Consultants Limited, told The Gleaner that a shift to more technology will be cost-effective in the long run.
“The immediate benefits will be greater efficiency and effectiveness through the use of technology. Also, there will be a reduction in operational costs for the services of security guards,” he said.
“Technology is an investment that will improve safety and security. We find that our clients who’ve invested in technology become more confident in their overall security platform when they experience the benefits of effective access control, CCTV with artificial intelligence, facial recognition and licence plate-reading applications,” he added.
In addressing concerns that this would mean loss of jobs for some security guards, Shields emphasised the importance of adapting to change.
“We have to accept that in the 21st century, many of the jobs that used to be done by humans are now done by machines. It is for us to adapt and retrain in other areas, where there is a need for people. The fact that there may be fewer jobs in the traditional sense of the guard business cannot be an inhibitor to delivering better security,” he said.
He also touted the high-skilled jobs that the technological shift would create in the industry.
“More technology will require guards to be transferred to other areas of the business, such as larger monitoring stations and call centres. In addition, technology installers and maintenance will also increase,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said a change in the model would help to alleviate some of the problems facing the industry.
“The guards work long hours, and they are poorly paid, sometimes are earning less than the minimum wage. The client becomes frustrated because they are receiving a poor service with inattentive, unprofessional, and frequently exhausted guards. It is not unheard of for guards to fall asleep on duty or even beg money or food from the people that they are working for. That is not an effective security environment,” he said.
The minimum wage for industrial security guards is $10,500 per 40-hour workweek, or 262.50 per hour.
But the Jamaica Society for Industrial Security (JSIS), in responding to the Supreme Court ruling, last week suggested that the workweek be increased to 60 hours.
Shields poured cold water on this suggestion, stating that security guards should be given the same working conditions as any other Jamaican employee.
“Security guards in other Caribbean countries work eight hours and receive overtime. If that is the case, then there is no reason why we can’t change our working practices here. Apart from any ethical or legal principle, there is, of course, the fatigue factor. How can guards remain alert, attentive, and physically fit working 60 hours every week?” he asked.