The terrorist events of 9/11 acted as a catalyst for
European legislation establishing common rules in
the field of civil aviation. As a result the private
aviation security industry has become a segment of
the private security market which operates in a
highly regulated area. Despite the many European
legislative initiatives in the field of aviation security,
an important issue was not addressed, namely
selection and training of the people performing
security tasks and ultimately applying security
measures. Vanessa Galhardo-Galhetas reports.
ACE: striving for
screener excellence
urrent legislative acts on and quality and on the other hand should regulations in the field of civil aviation
C
aviation security do not set a take account of efficiency and effectiveness security, as well as recommendations for
quality standard for private of air transport. the constant improvement of the quality of
aviation security providers. services. The vital element for the
Given the fact that the level Security Agent as a Profession effectiveness of methods and measures in
of security services depends People are at the centre of security civil aviation security is creating internal
on the quality of the providers, it is activities and therefore it is necessary to quality monitoring procedures, ensuring an
necessary to have European standards. have a harmonised approach towards appropriate level of implementation for
The nature of private security services and selection and training of security staff. national and EU provisions. Moreover the
its increasing role in national and EU Being a security agent is a real profession, Quality Charter will lay down basic
security policies in general makes the requiring well-trained staff and is of vital requirements for the selection, training
introduction of harmonised standards importance for aviation and society. In its and retention of qualified staff. A think
related to quality important to increase the recent Journal ICAO endorsed the tank of representatives will work on an
professionalism of the services offered and importance of security services by saying: Annex on Training together with EASA. The
to increase the much needed guarantees Aviation security statistics for the past few Annex on Training should form a model
for buyers and clients. years point to a global air transport system which takes account of existing legal
The lack of a focus on quality has lead to that is as secure as it has ever been for requirements and sets a standard with
a judgment of the level of security services travellers… this performance can largely regard to hours and content of training. The
on the basis of cost and throughout put at be attributed to the myriad security basic idea is to obtain security staff with a
the security checkpoint. Without ignoring measures implemented by states, high and equal level of training across
the importance of cost and throughout put, enforcement agencies, airport authorities Europe. In a second phase EASA would like
we must make sure not to embody the and other concerned parties since the to obtain a European standard through the
frequently used proverb in security saying: events of 11 September 2001. European Committee for Standardisation
“Who pays peanuts gets monkeys”. EASA wishes to create an awareness of (CEN). The ultimate aim of the industry
the importance of well-qualified security would be to obtain binding harmonised
Launch of ACE staff and clear procedures and is working requirements with regard to selection and
In this context the European Aviation on two initiatives: an EASA Quality Charter training of security staff in the future.
Security Association (EASA) wishes to and a European standard on private
launch a project called “ACE” or “Aviation aviation security services.
security Companies Excellence”. ACE The author is Legal Advisor to the
would encompass different initiatives Need for Harmonised European Aviation Security Association
aiming at promoting a level of quality of Requirements (EASA) and part-time assistant at the KU
security services and wherever necessary In a first phase EASA has created a Leuven Institute for European Law.
increasing this level. In order to improve Workgroup on Quality and Training, which EASA comprises of the following companies:
the professionalism of the entire sector is preparing a revision of the existing EASA Brink’s France; Group 4 Securicor Aviation
there is a need for harmonisation. Quality Charter. The EASA Quality Charter Ltd.; ICTS Europe Holding BV; KÖTTER Aviation
This project is a challenge, which should at will specify the standards, processes and Security GmbH & Co. KG; Prosegur Compania
all time strike a balance between onthe one procedures promoting and creating the de Seguridad SA; Securitas Transport Aviation
hand solutions for increasing professionalism environment and culture for enforcing Security; and, Trigion Beveiliging BV.
Aviationsecurityinternational December 2007 www.asi-mag.com 39
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