The Security Institute

These questions have been raised by Institute members in recent weeks about the changes that would come with a Royal Charter.

What is a Royal Charter?

Royal Charters, granted by the sovereign on the advice of the Privy Council, have a history dating back to the 13th century. Their original purpose was to create public or private corporations (now largely overtaken by registration at Companies House) and to define their privileges and purpose. 

Nowadays new Charters are normally reserved for bodies that work in the public interest (such as professional institutions and charities) and which can demonstrate pre-eminence, stability and permanence in their particular field.

Why is the Institute applying for a Royal Charter? What are the benefits of the Institute becoming a Chartered body?

The main aim of the Institute has always been to improve professionalism amongst security practitioners. Recognition by the Queen of our professional association (by the granting of a Royal Charter) would be a major milestone in the evolution of the profession as a whole, as well as the enhanced credibility it will bring individual members.

Who decides on the granting of our Charter application?

A Royal Charter can only be granted by the Sovereign, and is on the advice of the Privy Council.

Is it certain that our application for a Charter will be granted?

No, it is by no means certain that we will be successful in our application - but we would be able to re-apply if we were unsuccessful in our first attempt. We have always considered being in a position to petition for a Royal Charter as a major milestone in itself.

The Privy Council website cites 5 criteria for applicant organisations. Do we meet all of these?

We originally believed these targets were set in stone, but our specialist legal advisers have convinced us that this is not so, and that several precedents have been set proving this to be the case. More specifically, here is our response to the 5 criteria:

Requirement 1: the institution concerned should comprise members of a unique profession, and should have as members most of the eligible field for membership, without significant overlap with other bodies.

The Security Institute is the largest professional association in the private security sector in the UK, representing all areas of security management, including: corporate security managers, suppliers of security goods & services, policy makers, academia and training organisations, the public sector (including many law enforcement and military personnel), and security consultants.  

Whilst other organisations do exist, the Institute is the only association for personal professional membership that represents all sectors and incorporates a validation process, offers mentoring, continuous professional development (CPD) and a qualification programme.

Requirement 2: Corporate members of the institution should be qualified to at least first degree level in a relevant discipline.

Membership of the Institute is by validation of qualifications and/or experience. The organization was originally established in 1999 to provide a mechanism for verification of an individual's competence through peer review.

This verification process focuses on the varied professional and vocational training and qualifications which members have attained in both the public and private sectors, which in many cases are comparable to degree level, but may not have been formally designated as such. This is especially so for those ex-military and police personnel who would have attended intensive training courses in police or military academies. 

The Institute also introduced its own qualification programme in 2008 on the merger with the International Institute of Security, which also saw 380 members join the organization with security management qualifications.

Requirement 3: The institution should be financially sound and able to demonstrate a track record of achievement over a number of years

As a not-for-profit organisation, the Board of Directors have a responsibility to ensure any profits are reinvested into the organisation to support its aims and objectives. This approach has ensured that membership remains cost-effective, and that the cost of participation in Institute activities remains viable for the majority of the membership.  

As a consequence, the revenue generating potential of events has remained minimal, at a time when investment in the expansion of the organisation has been essential.  This has resulted in a minimal trading loss in recent years, whilst the number and range of activities, and the membership, has grown significantly.

At no time has the Institute operated with a loan or overdraft in the 11 year history of the organisation, and this ability to perform "in the black" is more relevant that a substantial bank balance.

Requirement 4: Incorporation by Charter is a form of Government regulation as future amendments to the Charter and by-laws of the body require Privy Council approval. There therefore needs to be a convincing case that it would be in the public interest to regulate the body in this way
The Government has already set a precedent in wishing to regulate the security sector through the Private Security Industry Act 2001. This introduced licensing for contract security operatives and their management, and a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, with the potential for further regulation in the future.

With crime prevention and counter-terrorism (particularly since 2001 and 2005) key deliverables across the UK, the emphasis on professional preventative measures and good practice has never been greater or more in the public interest, and an organization which actively promotes good practice and competence should be supported.

The enhanced credibility that a Royal Charter would provide would significantly benefit the Institute's aims and objectives for the benefit of members and the general public.

Requirement 5: The institution is normally expected to be of substantial size (5,000 members or more)

Our membership - the largest in the UK in our sector - is currently 964, with approximately 20 applications per month being received. It is anticipated that Chartered Status will greatly raise the profile of the Security Institute and with it we are likely to see a significant interest in membership application. 

What are the cost implications for members?  Will it cost me any more?

There are only two direct costs in applying for a Royal Charter - for legal advice beforehand and for production of the vellum Charter itself once the application is successful.

Of course, there has been a significant amount of administrative preparation work going on behind the scenes but we are using our existing HQ team plus experienced volunteers to complete this.

Once we have been granted our Royal Charter we will want to rename and rebrand the organisation, and there will be costs involved in this, but we plan to manage this within our 2011 cash flow forecasts. There may well be sponsorship opportunities available, which we will publicise when the time comes.

Membership subscription fees are reviewed on an annual basis, and this will continue. We anticipate an approximate increase of £25 for 2011 annual subscription.

What are the implications for the Institute if our application is refused?

It depends on why our petition is unsuccessful. Several other organisations have had to petition several times before receiving their Royal Charter - we hope this won't be the case for the Institute, but if it is we will have to review the reasons given, and put remedial activity in place to resolve a way forward before re-applying.

How does our application affect the arrangements with the WCoSP in terms of the new Register of Chartered Security Practitioners?

Our contract for the Institute to manage the Register of Chartered Security Practitioners on behalf of the WCoSP is totally separate, and not dependant on us receiving our own Royal Charter. The Institute has the full support and encouragement of the WCoSP in making its application, along with many other organisations in the security sector. 

When will we know?

We are aiming to submit our petition in October 2010. The process spans a minimum of three Privy Council meetings including a posting in the London Gazette, so the earliest we will hear is likely to be April or May 2011.

What will change?

Apart from the name of the organisation changing (see below) we see there are only positive changes in the way the Institute is perceived, including your own individual membership and credibility.

We also anticipate a change in the awareness of the Institute, with a greater number of applications as more security managers hear and appreciate the benefits that membership of the Chartered Security Institute can bring.

We have already seen an increased level of interest from other security organisations who want to discuss ways of developing closer working relationships, and which may ultimately lead to a consolidation within the sector. This will both strengthen and focus activity, leading to a higher level of interaction with policy makers and standard setting organisations.

How will chartered status affect me as a member?

There will be practical changes, like the name of the organisation and the post nominals. There will be a new logo based on our existing one, but the Institute ties will remain the same in the short term. Members will be able to apply for new membership badges, and we plan to issue new certificates of membership to everyone.

Will the post nominals change if we become a chartered body?

Yes. We believe becoming a chartered body will give the Institute and its membership significantly enhanced credibility, and we will therefore be changing the name of the organisation and the post nominals. Details of these changes will be published once we have been granted the Royal Charter. No final decision has been reached yet on what the new post nominals will be.

Is security a profession? 

This has long been a question of debate, particularly amongst academics, and it is not possible to answer this in detail here.

However, what is clear is the often perceived inequality of security managers with managers in other well recognised professions, such as finance and medicine.

The granting of a Royal Charter should underwrite security as a profession by recognising that the Chartered Security Institute as a professional body, provides the following:

• Standards and a code of ethics
• Security knowledge
• Forum for discussion
• Certification & validation programme
• Education, particularly for students

It is envisaged that many UK employers will require security staff to hold membership of the Chartered Security Institute, in a similar way that many US companies require security managers and others to hold a CPP qualification.

Will members of the Chartered Security Institute be required to do anything to meet any new criteria?

No. Membership will continue as it is now.

What's the difference between the Charter and the Register?

The Institute is applying for a Royal Charter, which will alter the way we will be governed as a company. We will all belong to the Chartered Security Institute.

The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals already has a Royal Charter, and is now wishing to set up a Register of Chartered Security Practitioners. We are developing and will be managing it for them. It comes under their Charter, not ours.

What do I need to do to become a "chartered individual"? 

You personally can only become chartered if you apply to join the Register of Chartered Security Practitioners when this is launched in 2011.

When the Institute is granted its Royal Charter, your membership will automatically be transferred to the Chartered Security Institute. You will be a member (or associate, affiliate, student, graduate or fellow) of the Chartered Security Institute.

Will I have to be an RCSP?

Membership of the Register of Chartered Security Practitioners will be entirely voluntary when it is launched in 2011. It shouldn't be confused with our own Charter application, as it is in fact a totally separate project being developed by the Institute on behalf of the WCoSP.

Will I have to do CPD?

There are no immediate plans to make CPD compulsory, although we do actively encourage everyone to join our free scheme.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an essential way to keep up-to-date with the latest issues and developments in the security arena, giving those who participate in the scheme a competitive edge over other practitioners and enhancing confidence and competence. We think this underpins the qualities that people expect in members of the Institute.

As a member, is there anything I need to do now?

You will shortly receive a proposal from the Board of Directors, for your consideration. This will need to be accepted by the membership at an Extraordinary General Meeting at the end of September - if you can't attend, you will be able to appoint a proxy and instruct him/her on how you would wish them to vote on your behalf.

Please make sure you exercise your right to vote - it's important that the Board acts in line with the wishes of the membership.

How will Charter Status effect the standing of Honorary Fellows

Honorary Fellows will remain within the newly Chartered Institute, however will no longer have the right to vote. This is now spelt out in the Charter, where it is currently not covered in our existing Articles of Association. There are no other changes planned for Honorary Fellows.