NZ Security Licence NZ Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the Act require regarding the use of a company name or trade name by a licensed security business?
- The name used in trading must match the name registered with the PSPLA (Correct answer)
- Security companies may use any trading name as long as it is not misleading
- Only the owner's personal name may be used in trading
- The name must include the word 'security' as a regulatory requirement
Correct answer: The name used in trading must match the name registered with the PSPLA
The registered name provides transparency and accountability. Security companies must operate under the name registered with the PSPLA, so members of the public can verify the company's credentials.
Question 2: What obligations does the Act place on security personnel when asked to prove their identity to a member of the public?
- They must produce their certificate of approval or evidence of their licence status on request (Correct answer)
- They need only give their first name and the company they work for
- They must provide a police-issued identity document
- They are not required to identify themselves to members of the public under any circumstances
Correct answer: They must produce their certificate of approval or evidence of their licence status on request
Accountability and transparency are core to the Act's framework. Security personnel are required to produce their certificate of approval when requested as proof of their licensed status.
Question 3: Under the Act, what are the consequences for a security company that knowingly employs an unlicensed worker?
- Significant fines for the company and risk to the company licence (Correct answer)
- Only a warning on the first occasion
- A fine for the unlicensed worker only — the company is not liable
- Only consequences if harm results from the unlicensed worker's actions
Correct answer: Significant fines for the company and risk to the company licence
Knowingly employing unlicensed security workers is a serious offence under the Act, attracting significant penalties for the company. The company's own licence may also be at risk.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the public register of licensed security personnel under the Act?
- To allow members of the public and employers to verify that a person holds a valid licence (Correct answer)
- To record the performance history of all licensed security workers
- To enable the Police to locate security personnel in an emergency
- To track the movements of licensed security personnel between employers
Correct answer: To allow members of the public and employers to verify that a person holds a valid licence
The public register enables any person to verify whether an individual holds a valid security licence, supporting accountability and helping members of the public and employers verify credentials.
Question 5: A security guard finds their certificate of approval has expired during a shift. What must they do?
- Stop performing security functions immediately until the certificate is renewed (Correct answer)
- Continue working until the end of the shift and renew before their next shift
- Work under the supervision of a licenced colleague until renewal is processed
- Notify their employer but continue working as a grace period applies
Correct answer: Stop performing security functions immediately until the certificate is renewed
An expired certificate of approval means the person is no longer licensed. They must immediately cease performing security functions — there is no grace period under the Act.
Question 6: Under the PSPPIA, what category of licence is required to perform 'crowd controller' functions?
- A crowd controller licence — a separate category from a security guard licence (Correct answer)
- The standard security guard licence covers all security functions including crowd control
- Any licensed security guard may perform crowd control at any venue
- Only police officers may legally perform crowd control functions at licensed premises
Correct answer: A crowd controller licence — a separate category from a security guard licence
The Act creates distinct licence categories. Crowd control functions at events and licensed premises require a crowd controller licence specifically — a standard security guard licence does not authorise this function.
NZ Security Licence NZ Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 3
What does the Act require regarding the use of a company name or trade name by a licensed security business?