The Association of Security and Cash-in-Transit Companies (ASEVA), sponsor of SeguridadExpo, prepared a proposal of five specific measures to strengthen and modernize private security in Chile, which it sent to the presidential candidates in the upcoming elections in November this year.

Among the union’s initiatives is the idea that people who complete compulsory military service (SMO) should do so with an “accreditation license” to perform private security tasks: guards, patrols, janitors, night watchmen.

Specifically, ASEVA proposes that the State create and promote the legal, administrative, academic, and financial conditions necessary for military service graduates to receive security guard certification upon completion of their service.

“This measure would potentially benefit around 4,000 people per year, incorporating them into the private security labor market, which is growing steadily, and also strengthening the incentive for young people to pursue this military experience, as they would be given concrete tools in their training to face their professional and/or academic challenges; It would also increase the formality of the private security market,” according to the proposal presented to the presidential candidates.

In this regard, the chairman of the ASEVA board, Rodrigo Badilla Navas, defended the measure and argued that “among so much public investment, due to the effects it has on contributing to public safety, the State should invest and release conscripts from Compulsory Military Service (SMO) who are licensed and accredited as security guards, providing them with the respective training and requiring them to pass an exam.”

According to the union, this proposal would promote the professional development of conscripts, provide job opportunities, and strengthen the professionalization of the private security industry. All this is in addition to the growing demand for security services, which has been a central theme of the presidential campaigns.

“There is often debate about the benefits of military service for young people. The most radical argue that it is a waste of time and that those who do it risk a lot and gain nothing. With this initiative, they could quickly find employment, even part-time, to continue their education and finance it. Salaries do not fall below $600,000 on average, but the most qualified can double that figure or more,” added Badilla.

Furthermore, according to ASEVA, it would be beneficial for them to incorporate the values of military service, such as “punctuality, presence, physical fitness, and willingness to help others,” into this work. It would also help to reduce the informal sector gap, which is estimated to be 50% or more.

The other proposals

The document presented to the presidential candidates was prepared, according to the union, by a technical team with experience in public and private security. It is part of the implementation of Law No. 21,659 and includes three other proposals.

One of them points to a special labor regime. In other words, it proposes the creation of a specific legal regime for the industry that takes into account the operational reality of the sector, including night shifts, long working hours, and multifunctionality, as is the case in health care or transportation.

Another proposal seeks to create a Superintendency of Private Security. This would be an autonomous entity with technical powers, risk-based oversight capabilities, and a vision for sectoral development, replacing the current exclusive dependence on the Undersecretary of Crime Prevention.

The proposals also include reducing bureaucracy in procedures and authorizations. In this regard, there is a call to digitize and simplify processes such as course registration and operational authorizations, in order to improve the sector’s responsiveness to growing demand for security.

Finally, a better assessment of staff suitability is proposed, i.e., allowing legal access, under safeguard, to relevant criminal records such as alternative dispositions or dismissed cases, along with authorizing the use of mandatory drug testing.