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HOW TO APPLY FOR A SECURITY PERSONNEL PERMIT
UNDER THE SECURITY AND GUARDING
SERVICES ORDINANCE (Cap. 460)
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The Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority
| The Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (referred to as 'the
Ordinance' hereafter) has been enacted to provide for a licensing scheme to regulate the
security industry. It aims to promote and encourage
higher standards in the industry, thereby aiding the fight against crime. Under the Ordinance, a Security and Guarding Services
Industry Authority (referred to as 'the Authority' hereafter) is established to specify
the criteria and conditions for issuing permits to security personnel. The Authority consists of a Chairman and five members
appointed by the Chief Executive, and a representative of the Secretary for Security. |
Application for a Security Personnel Permit
A person who does security work for another person for reward is required
to apply for a permit. Applications should be made
to the Commissioner of Police (referred to as 'the Commissioner' hereafter). The
Commissioner will consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to do a
specific type of security work. Applicants with a criminal record are not
automatically debarred from being a fit and proper person. They are examined on case by case basis, but must meet the criteria specified by
the Authority before a permit is granted. The
Commissioner may refer the application to the Authority for consideration if the applicant
does not satisfy those criteria. The Commissioner may specify the conditions on the
permit. A permit is valid for a period of five years, or such shorter period as the
Commissioner may specify.
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| A permit is subject to renewal. Holder of a permit should apply to the Commissioner for renewal not earlier than six
months and not later than three months before the permit is due to expire. |
Definitions of 'Security Work' and 'Security Device'
"security work" means any of the following activities--
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(a) |
guarding any property;
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(b) |
guarding any person or place for the purpose of preventing or
detecting the occurrence of any offence;
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(c) |
installing, maintaining or repairing a security device;
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(d) |
designing for any particular premises or place a system
incorporating a security device.
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"security device" means a device designed or adapted to be
installed in any premises or place, except on or in a vehicle, for the purpose of
detecting or recording--
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(a) |
the occurrence of any offence; or
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(b) |
the presence of an intruder or of an object that persons are,
for reasons of security, not permitted to bring onto the premises or place or any other
premises or place. |
Categories of Security Work
For the purpose of issuing permits, security work is categorised as follows:
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(A) |
Guarding work restricted to a "single private
residential building", the performance of which does not require the carrying of arms
and ammunition;
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(B) |
Guarding work in respect of any persons, premises or
properties, the performance of which does not require the carrying of arms and ammunition
and which does not fall within Category A;
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(C) |
Guarding work, the performance of which requires the carrying
of arms and ammunition; and
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(D) |
Installation, maintenance and/or repairing of a security
device and/or designing (for any particular premises or place) a system incorporating a
security device. |
Fees
| Both an application fee and an issue or renewal fee are payable on
application for the issue or renewal of a permit.
Please see the guidance notes of the application forms for details. Application fee
is not refundable. However, all application forms are free of charge. |
Offences
| No individual shall do, agree to do, or hold himself out as doing or as
available to do, security work for another person for reward without a valid permit. The offender is liable on conviction to a fine of $10,000
and to imprisonment for three months. |
How to Apply
Application forms for the issue and renewal of a permit can be obtained
from the Police Licensing Office, District Offices and the Security and Guarding Services
Industry Authority.
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The address of the Police Licensing Office,
Hong Kong Police Force is:
12/F, Arsenal House, Police Headquarters,
1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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Applicants should read the guidance notes carefully before
completing the application form. The completed
application form should be returned by post, in person or sent in through employer to the
Police Licensing Office. For enquiries, please contact the Police Licensing Office
as follows:
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General enquiry: 2860 2973
New Applications: 2860 6543
Renewal Applications: 2860 6546 |
Application for Variation of Conditions of Permit
A permit holder may apply to the Authority for a variation of the
conditions of the permit. In considering an
application, the Authority will hear evidence given by the permit holder and the Police. The permit holder may also employ a lawyer to represent
him at the hearing. The Authority may, if it
thinks fit, vary the conditions of the permit.
Application forms for variation of conditions can be obtained from the Authority.
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The address of the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority is:
Room 813, 8/F, Kowloon East Government Offices,
12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
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| The completed application form should be returned by post or in person to
the Authority. For enquiry, please contact the Authority (Tel.: 2801 6181). |
Appeals Against Decisions
Any person aggrieved by a decision made by the Commissioner or the
Authority may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Board within 10 days after receiving
notice of the decision.
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| The information given in this pamphlet is for guidance purpose only and
does not purport to provide a detailed analysis of the licensing procedure. |
Note:
| A single private residential building means an
independent* structure: |
| (a) |
covered by a roof and enclosed by walls extending from the
foundation to the roof; and |
| (b) |
used substantially for private residential purpose; and |
| (c) |
with only one main access point+ |
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| * |
A building is considered to be
independent from another if on most of the floors, one cannot get access to the
quarters on the same floor in the other building without going to an upper/lower floor,
roof or the street. |
| + |
'Main access point' means
the entrance gate or lift lobby or staircase commonly used by residents to gain access to
their flats. This excludes emergency and fire exit. |
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Security and
Guarding Services Industry Authority