At least 563 private security guards, aged between 18 and 50 years, serving in the 39 companies legally established in La Paz to provide physical protection and electronics particular persons, property, and institutions.”They are registered 563 (officials) that offer some of these services in La Paz. All are old, “said Lt. Col. Miguel Angel Rivera, head of the Chief Control of Private Security Companies (Jedecoes).
Insight Crime did a great post on the alarming increase in the use of private security in Bolivia. According to IC, one of the main reasons why it has exploded is the lack of trust the population has in it’s law enforcement.
You know it is bad when 85 % of the people who live in four large cities in Bolivia, do not report crimes. There is also a lot of vigilantism going on, as reported by the Economist (and raising scarecrows to warn criminals). Not to mention the cartels and organized crime there.
What is interesting to me is that these guards are not allowed to be armed. My thoughts about this is that perhaps because of this restriction on guards, that the illegal security outfits are popping up to fill that void? IC made this comment.
In 2010, it was found that only around 15 percent of private companies in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, an organized crime hotbed, were legal.
If cartels are operating there, then it is possible that most of these illegal companies are criminally related. Or, they could be companies actually trying to provide an effective service in a dangerous world.
Also, if the demand is that high for security and the government is not moving fast enough to certify or regulate, then supply versus demand economics will apply. Someone will fill the need as they say, and it looks like PMSC’s in Bolivia are very much in demand… –Matt
563 private guards watched in La Paz
September 9, 2012
At least 563 private security guards, aged between 18 and 50 years, serving in the 39 companies legally established in La Paz to provide physical protection and electronics particular persons, property, and institutions.”They are registered 563 (officials) that offer some of these services in La Paz. All are old, “said Lt. Col. Miguel Angel Rivera, head of the Chief Control of Private Security Companies (Jedecoes).
A licensed private security company, according to the National System of Public Safety, develops preventive surveillance and early warning under custody and in close collaboration with the Police. For his actions, trains its employees on issues of emergency, first aid, environment, customer service and more.
“We do not act violently. Is not permitted. Our main objective is to develop an efficient system of prevention, only if there is imminent risk, if we intervene, “said Raul Moreno, CEO of Radar.
Other firms offer courses bodyguards, airport security or mine, depending on the type of work that clients request.
Fernando Quiroga, national chief of human resources Armus, mentioned that, in addition to training, give your employees and give them appropriate standard health insurance, among other benefits. For the selection of the staff, they have police clearance certificates, which are among its requirements.
“We have filters recruitment in Armus not charge for the clothes we give them. We have alarm systems, “said Quiroga.
The head of Jedecoes reported that in addition to the 39 companies licensed in law enforcement, there are 11 illegal, ten who are managing your license and six who left the process, so they are considered illegal. “We have 39 legal firms, ie, that have resolution of the General Command (police) who are authorized operation and with approval of the Ministry of Government,” said Rivera.
Jedecoes work was regulated by Supreme Resolution 222 544 of 9 June 2004, however, following the enactment of the Public Safety Act, was without effect, which is why we will temporarily not more authorizations to new firms pending the adoption of the rules of law. Neither those who were in the process will advance them.
Breach. Regarding illegal businesses, which are generally reported Jedecoes households that hire people to meet, so eventually, especially social events.
They operate in the area north of the city, as Uyustus street, Avenida Buenos Aires. Quiroga, Armus, adding that they also work for the Ceja of El Alto.
“No enterprise features together. They have offices and training areas. We can assume that they dont recruit minors, “said Rivera.
The low cost of its services and the fact that charge their customers themselves, as seen in the markets, from 50 cents to B 3, demonstrate its informality, Moreno said. He added that to apply for work, presented themselves to the homeowners for surveillance, “no administration”.
Clients at risk of theft
The reason why people hire companies not certified personnel is the low price that they charge or because unknown to those authorized. “If there are robberies, who will respond?, The illegals are a risk factor for customers,” said Raul Moreno, general manager Radar.
Some employers violate
Regardless of the type of contract that a private security company illegally have with your employees, there are rumors that they do not cancel their salaries on time.
“I have several colleagues who say that some companies do not pay them their wages on time, take up to one year and the defraud others, because they move or disappear from the overnight owing to their former employees,” said Emilio Irusta, guard Security company authorized Red Line.
A pressure mechanism of these businesses is that the military card ask who they hire. And before a claim for a client, they seize the document, told Irusta.
Common complaints that reach the Control Head of Private Security Companies (Jedecoes) is the retention of documents and non-payment of their salaries. “We have seen that these firms used as extortion mechanism military service book, if an employee decides to retire, you must return the tools he was given, otherwise not deliver something that is paramount,” said Lt. Col. Miguel Angel Rivera, head of Jedecoes. Fernando Quiroga, national chief of human resources Armus said these guards also are given good working conditions, such as contributions to retirement or insurance policies.
Story here.