Off The Beat And Off The Street: Dud Police Face 10-year Ban
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday April 8, 1998
Sacked police will be banned from becoming private inquiry agents for up to 10 years under proposed State Government legislation.
The Private Inquiry Agents Bill, intended to clean up the private inquiry and commercial agents' industry by the introduction of tough new standards, has split the ranks of private inquiry agents.
Details of the bill have not been released publicly but it is understood the approval of all private inquiry licences will come under the Police Commissioner or his nominee.
Under proposals for the new legislation, all former police officers applying to become private inquiry agents will have their applications reviewed by Police Internal Affairs and the Police Integrity Commission. Those who have been dismissed or removed from the Police Service will not be able to get a licence for at least 10 years.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Police, Mr Whelan, said a Cabinet Minute was being prepared on the bill, which was modelled on the Security Industry Act, passed last year. The new bill would be introduced this year, possibly during this session. It is proposed that every agent be a member of an approved industry organisation and undergo tests for minimum levels of training and competency.
Applicants will have rigorous checks on their fitness to retain a licence. There will be checks of close associates of applicants, which might result in the application being refused.
Mr Warren Mallard, NSW president of the Institute of Mercantile Agents, covering private inquiry and commercial agents, said his association fully supported the change.
At present, a person who has been free of criminal conviction for at least 10 years may get a licence. People may become licensed agents after a basic 12-month TAFE course or working for an agent for 12 months, Mr Mallard said.
Under the new legislation, a licence could be refused if an applicant had committed an offence relating to firearms, drugs, assaults, fraud, theft or robbery or been bankrupt in the previous five years.
Agents with criminal records would have to show cause why their licences should not be revoked. The 4,000 agents in NSW would have to be tested for competency.
© 1998 Sydney Morning Herald