SECURITY NETWORK - MODEL OF SUCCESS

GETBA's Coralee Carr and Jane Tongatule

A successful, security collaboration in Auckland’s East Tamaki is encouraging security companies to keep at the top of their game by undertaking industry training.

Facilitated by the Greater East Tamaki Business Association [GETBA], the Security Managers Network is an alliance of independent security companies, security consultants, company security personnel and the police who share information and pool resources to reduce crime in the area.

“The network is driven by the needs of local businesses to raise the bar around the level of service and professionalism of security personnel and training to national qualifications is one way they can do this,” says GETBA general manager Jane Tongatule.

“While GETBA doesn’t contract the security companies directly, we work with them to ensure an adequate level of service is provided to clients.”

The collaborative model, which was established in 2003, has an impressive record and since a wider crime prevention programme was introduced in 2006, burglaries have dropped by more than 50% in East Tamaki’s commercial industrial area. 

“We have been told on numerous occasions that our collaborative model is unique, no-one has come across anything else like it,” says Jane.  “It’s a good operating model for helping people to feel safe and is a good feedback point for developing resources.  It’s been operating for a long time and the fact it has lasted this long and grown attests to its usefulness and relevance.”

Classed as a business improvement district, GETBA has 1700 members who contribute to the security network through their rates.  It involves large, local businesses with their own security personnel. 

They are joined at regular network security meetings by representatives from private security companies, Botany Crime Watch Patrols, an arm of Community Patrols of New Zealand, and the police. 

“Because so many independent security companies and local businesses are involved, we held a breakfast for all the guards who work in the area.   It’s important that when they’re in the field and need to call on extra support that they know who they’re calling,” says GETBA executive officer Coralee Carr.

“We’re also getting much better quality information and reporting from managers and we feel training at guard level is key to this.”

The network enjoys a close relationship with the police.

“They’re very keen to work with us to help them do their job,” says Jane Tongatule.  “We pass-on useful information to them and they keep us up-to-date with statistics and invite us to crime meetings.”

Committed to giving quality service, the network contributed to the development of a security checklist and guide to help clients make a well-informed choice when choosing a security provider.  They cite regular staff training and good practices for guard supervision as one of the important qualities to look out for. 

ETITO training manager Sarah Williams says the Security Managers Network is committed to improving the number of people undergoing training to raise the level of professionalism.

“They are proud of their success in reducing crime in their local business community and rightly so.  They are proving that working together, professional standards and training can make a real difference.”