Industry News
Dublin safety wardens: city weighs private security for its center
Dublin is drafting a plan for private safety wardens in the city center, with no arrest powers. Rights groups question the legal basis and the licensing.
Dublin is working on a plan to put private safety wardens on the streets of its city center, with no more powers than ordinary citizens, RTÉ News reported on November 5. A tender to hire a security firm is being drafted, and a rights group has asked what law would allow it, The Irish Times reported.
Key points#
- The wardens would not have powers to arrest, demand identification, search people, issue fines or enforce bylaws, the city's development company said, according to RTÉ.
- The scheme would be paid for by a mix of state and business money, RTÉ reported, and the business group DublinTown is understood to be the contracting body, according to The Irish Times.
- The Irish Council for Civil Liberties asked whether a new licensing category for security guards would be needed, The Irish Times reported.
- A full report goes to next month's city council meeting, Dublin City Council said, according to The Irish Times.
What the plan says#
Robert Watt, who leads the new Dublin City Development Company, described the wardens as a reassuring presence similar to staff on Irish Rail and the Luas tram, RTÉ News reported. He said the plan would need a clear legal framework and the support of the gardaí, Ireland's police.
The development company said it has been talking with the gardaí, the Department of Justice and businesses, and has looked at warden schemes in other places, according to RTÉ. DublinTown, which represents 2,500 city center businesses, said it is ready to help run a pilot and pointed to similar schemes in British cities.
Why licensing is the open question#
In a letter to Watt, ICCL head of policy Olga Cronin noted that current law defines security guards as people guarding property, premises or private events, The Irish Times reported. She asked whether licensing qualifications would need to change and said councillors should see the duties and limits of the role before any tender is drafted.
Councillors are split, RTÉ reported. Independent councillor Cieran Perry said he would prefer more gardaí but would reluctantly support a pilot, as long as the proposals came before council members first.
What it means for your company#
- Public space work is a different job. Patrolling a street is not guarding a building. Officers need clear limits on what they may and may not do, written into the post orders.
- Expect questions about the license. When a contract moves officers onto public streets, check whether their license covers that work. Ask your state licensing agency or an attorney.
- Prove the presence. Business groups that pay for patrols want to see them. Logged patrol tours and regular reports show where officers were and when.
- Plan the hand-off. Officers without arrest powers rely on fast backup. Agree on who calls for help, how, and what officers record while they wait.
Guardix lets clients see tours and checkpoint logs in the client portal.
Frequently asked questions#
What powers would Dublin's safety wardens have?#
None beyond those of any citizen. The development company said they would not be able to arrest, demand identification, require a person to leave a street, search people, issue fines or enforce bylaws, RTÉ News reported.
Who would pay for the Dublin wardens?#
The scheme would be funded by a combination of state and business contributions, according to RTÉ. Initial funding is expected to come from prominent city businesses, with DublinTown as the contracting body, The Irish Times reported.
Sources#
- Public spaces
- Licensing
- Ireland