PSA flashcards

34 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

PSA statutory regulator role

The Private Security Authority regulates private security services in Ireland under the Private Security Services Act 2004, licensing contractors and employees and enforcing standards and codes of practice.

Unlicensed security service offence

Providing a designated security service without a valid PSA licence is a criminal offence, and the PSA may prosecute the individual and the contractor responsible.

PSA public register

The PSA maintains a public register listing licensed contractors and employees; employers must check it to confirm a person's licence is current before deployment.

Licence suspension and revocation

The PSA may refuse, suspend, revoke, or attach conditions to a licence where suitability, compliance, or disclosure requirements are not met, subject to appeal.

Contractor licence requirements

A contractor licence requires a legally established business, tax compliance, a nominated responsible person, and evidence of suitable procedures and staffing arrangements.

Employee vetting requirement

Employee licence applicants must provide proof of identity and age, pass Garda vetting, and disclose all convictions; non-disclosure can lead to refusal or revocation.

Training before licensing

Applicants must complete and certify the required basic training before an employee licence is granted, and refresher training is needed at renewal.

Licence non-transferable

A PSA licence is issued to a named holder for a specific service category; it cannot be lent, sold, or transferred to another person or company.

Site-specific procedures

PSA standards require documented operational procedures for each service and site, covering deployment, supervision, reporting, escalation, and emergency response.

Supervision standards

Standards require competent supervision of deployed staff, with defined supervisor availability or control-room support and recorded supervisory checks.

Complaints handling standard

Complaints must be logged, investigated, and resolved within defined timeframes, with the outcome communicated to the complainant and records retained.

Uniform and identification

Security operatives must display clear identification and licence status while on duty, in line with standards on uniform and professional appearance.

Citizen's arrest power

Under section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, any person may arrest without warrant a person reasonably suspected of an arrestable offence and must hand them to Gardaí.

Proportionate use of force

Force must be necessary, proportionate, and the minimum required for the lawful purpose; excessive force can constitute assault and give rise to civil liability.

Reasonable grounds for suspicion

Suspicion must rest on specific observed facts and behaviour, not on a hunch or a person's protected characteristics, and must be recorded.

Detention limits

A security operative may only detain a person briefly to prevent escape or protect persons pending Garda arrival; prolonged detention risks false imprisonment.

Theft elements

Under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, theft requires dishonest appropriation of property without consent with intention to permanently deprive.

Burglary definition

Burglary requires entering a building or part of it as a trespasser with intent to commit theft or an arrestable offence, or committing such an offence after entry.

Criminal damage offence

Criminal damage is damaging property belonging to another without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly, and may be prosecuted on indictment.

Handling stolen property

Handling requires knowing or believing property to be stolen and dishonestly receiving, retaining, removing, disposing of, or assisting in its transfer.

Employer safety duty

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health, and welfare of employees.

Risk assessment requirement

A written risk assessment must identify hazards, evaluate risks, and record control measures for each site and task, and be reviewed when circumstances change.

Lone worker controls

Lone working requires specific controls such as check-in schedules, reliable communication devices, defined escalation arrangements, and a monitored response plan.

Safety statement

A safety statement describes the employer's safety management system, including risk assessments, controls, responsibilities, and emergency arrangements, and must be communicated to staff.

Fire triangle

Fire requires fuel, oxygen, and heat; removing any one element prevents or extinguishes combustion, which underpins fire prevention and extinguishing methods.

Means of escape

Escape routes must be kept clear, unobstructed, adequately lit and signed, with fire doors closed or automatically released and exits opening in the direction of travel.

Fire drill records

Fire drills and evacuation exercises must be conducted at planned intervals, recorded, and reviewed so that identified weaknesses are corrected.

Fire discovery priorities

On discovering fire: raise the alarm, call the fire service, evacuate to the assembly point, and only attempt to fight a small fire if trained and safe.

De-escalation technique

De-escalation uses a calm tone, respectful language, adequate personal space, non-threatening body language, and offering choices to reduce tension.

Radio communication protocol

Radio messages should identify the caller, state the location, describe the situation concisely, and request specific assistance using agreed codes.

Equal Status Acts grounds

The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018 prohibit discrimination in goods and services on nine grounds, including gender, age, race, religion, disability, and Traveller community membership.

Reasonable accommodation

Service providers and employers must make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities unless it would cause more than nominal cost, in line with equality legislation.

Chain of custody

A chain of custody documents every transfer and handling of evidence, recording who held it, when, and why, so its integrity can be demonstrated in proceedings.

Contemporaneous record

A contemporaneous record is made at or near the time of the event, accurately and legibly, separating observed facts from information reported by others.