PSIRA Security Grades Explained

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) is the statutory body that regulates the private security industry under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act. Security service providers, both businesses and individual officers, must be registered with it before they may lawfully render security services.

For clients, registration matters for three reasons. It confirms that officers have completed recognised training. It means the provider is subject to a code of conduct and industry oversight. And it gives you a recourse: complaints about improper conduct can be reported to the regulator. Using an unregistered provider exposes you to poorly trained staff and leaves you with far less protection if something goes wrong.

Training grades run from E, the entry level, up to A. Exact duties depend on the employer, the site and any additional specialised training, but the typical split looks like this:

A grade is a minimum standard, not the whole story. Many posts also require specialised training on top of the grade, for example armed response, close protection, event control or control-room work. Officers carrying firearms must, in addition, meet the competency and licensing requirements of the Firearms Control Act, which is separate from the PSIRA grade itself.

Good providers match the grade to the post. A residential gate with light traffic may suit a D-grade officer, while a busy industrial gate with vehicle searches, or a site where the officer leads a team, calls for a higher grade and more experience. At Vigilant CQ we match officer grades to the post, based on what the security risk assessment shows the site needs.

1. Ask to see the officer's PSIRA registration card and check that the name and photograph match the person in front of you.
2. Use PSIRA's online verification service on the official PSIRA website, where registration status can be checked using the details on the card.
3. Ask the company for its PSIRA business registration and confirm it is current, not lapsed or suspended.
4. Contact PSIRA directly through the contact details on its official website if anything does not add up.

A reputable provider will not object to any of these checks.

• Which grade will each officer on my site hold, and why is that grade suitable?
• Do armed officers hold the required firearm competencies, and who owns and controls the firearms?
• How are officers screened, supervised and replaced if necessary?
• Is the company's PSIRA registration current, and can I see proof?
• What is in writing about shifts, reliefs and reporting?

Compare the answers alongside price. A quote that is far cheaper than others often means lower grades, thinner supervision or both. See how we answer these on why choose us.