In his latest blog for Infologue.com, Chris Cully, Managing Director for Dilitas Ltd discusses police volunteers. Chris writes: "The largest public sector union is calling for a national review of unpaid volunteers in the police service. "Unison has called on Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the College of Policing to examine the "increasing trend" of replacing paid police staff with volunteers. "Coincidentally, the call has been made the same week that a force announced volunteers would soon be deployed at football matches and festivals. "As previously reporte...

Peter Webster, chief executive of Corps Security, a regular Infologue.com blogger, discusses the general election. He writes: "As I write this blog, last Thursday’s Channel 4/Sky ‘election special’ programme is firmly in my mind and it brought into sharp focus just how tight this contest will be. With much more debate, comment and analysis to take place between now and 7th May, I’ve been giving some thought to the effect the policies of the Labour and Conservative parties could have on the security industry. "I should of course point out that although one of these two parties will...

In his latest blog for Infologue.com, David Ward, Managing Director at Ward Security, discusses sustainable growth. David Writes: "Sustainable growth is the aim of all business. But what does sustainable growth actually mean with regards to suppliers of security services? "The traditional definition of sustainable growth is one where the business can manage its expansion - its growing staff numbers, its back office systems, its client portfolio, and its costs in such a way that, although the business is growing in size and revenue, it does not struggle to meet its internal or client-facin...

In his latest blog for Infologue.com, Stuart Lodge, Chief Executive of Lodge Service, discusses CCTV and data protection. Stuart writes: "Homeowners should consider fitting CCTV to trap burglars, says the country's most senior police officer. "Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe claimed that police forces need more crime scene footage to match against the 12 million images of suspects and offenders that are stored. He called on families and businesses to install cameras at eye level – to exploit advances in facial recognition technology. "So, is this a sensible policy to ensure greater protectio...

Brian Riis Nielsen, Country President at Securitas writes his first of a new series of blogs exclusively for Infologue.com and highlights the dangers lone workers face and the steps employers can take to protect them. Brian writes: “Contrary to popular belief, working alone is not against the law. However, the law does require employers to consider carefully any health and safety risks for people working alone. “The UK’s Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act, makes employers responsible for the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. It also makes them responsib...

David Dickinson, former British Security Industry Association Chief Executive, who led the security industry through the crucial regulatory transition phase from 2002 to 2006, writes his fourth column for Infologue.com and discusses responsibility for changing the security industry. David writes: "In my last piece for Infologue, I spoke in very general terms about the desire, and indeed need, for change for our industry and, perhaps even more importantly, the changes which are being forced upon it by circumstances. "First, the circumstantial change. It must be clear to everyone that the ...

In his latest blog for Infologue.com, Bob Forsyth, Managing Director of MITIE Total Security Management discusses when to bid for contracts. Bob writes: "In a time when commoditisation is still blighting our industry, the bid/no bid decision is more important than ever. Recently, I have seen cases where companies are bidding at a loss or just breaking even in order to secure a contract. "This approach is not sustainable in the longer term. It’s commercial suicide. I have found myself asking what is driving this insanity. If buyers insist on focusing on price, is it worth the time and re...

David Dickinson, former British Security Industry Association Chief Executive, who led the security industry through the crucial regulatory transition phase from 2002 to 2006, writes his third column for Infologue.com and discusses the regulation of the security industry. "In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote to Jean-Baptiste Leroy “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. In late 2001, at the short-list interview for the position of Chief Executive of the BSIA, I quoted those words, but added a view that there was now another ‘certainty’ – that of ch...

Writing for Infologue.com, Bill Freear, Managing Director of Pilgrims Group Ltd, discusses value and procurement. Bill writes: "When procuring contracts, in particular the supply of a security service involving engagement with visitors and the need for a high level of customer care, is the cheapest price always the best option or do you pay for that decision with an unfulfilled or failed service, subsequently asking yourself if this was true value for money? "Over the last few years, price has become a principle factor in the evaluation of tender submissions and, whilst technical capabili...

In his latest blog for Infologue.com, Chris Cully, Managing Director for Dilitas Ltd discusses the corporate copper. Chris writes: "At the weekend I read a book entitled War PLC by Stephen Armstrong, which is sub-titled The Rise of the New Corporate Mercenary. The book is an excellent read and I recommend it to you. "The book chronology begins in the early 1950’s and follows the changing political landscape in the Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Africa. This rapidly changing political and military tableau and decline of the British Empire plus its withering colonial influence, culminat...