Security and Human Rights Toolkit

Questions to ask in a private security industry assessment to ensure accountability and oversight

  • What laws and regulations are in place to govern the private security industry and the use of firearms by civilian corporate entities?
  • How effective is their enforcement and which agencies are responsible for that enforcement?
  • Which government agencies or ministries are involved in the control and regulation of private security companies (e.g. ministries of trade, economy, industry, the interior)?
  • What procedures and criteria exist for licensing and registering companies?
  • What systems and standards exist for vetting and licensing private security personnel?
  • Have private security companies or their personnel been implicated in crime, including gender- based violence or trafficking, and have incidents led to trials or prosecutions?
  • What voluntary codes of conduct, industry bodies and standards exist?
  • Do procurers of private security services have procurement criteria or report information on the companies or individuals that they employ?
  • Are there regulatory restrictions on the use of force and firearms by private security providers?

Source: Development Assistance Committee Handbook on Security System Reform: Supporting Security and Justice, p. 213 (OECD 2007)

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