Private security clients
Responsible private security
Clients who contract ICoCA Member companies as private security service providers benefit from:
- Quality of service: ICoCA’s standards for membership and certification, and its ongoing monitoring function, assure high professional standards and best practice in governance;
- Lower risks of liability and reputational damage by contracting with vetted companies that have demonstrated a commitment to the responsible provision of security services;
- External support to ensure compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (“Code of Conduct”), including with regard to training.
Integrity and respect for human rights
The ICoCA relies on active participation from Members and partners in order to ensure integrity and compliance to the Code of Conduct by PSCs; and the Association is developing a large and diverse network to monitor its Members’ performance and support the Complaints function.
The Association is guided by Member companies, governments, and non-profit organizations specialized in aspects of regulation of the private security sector, human rights, and related thematic areas. Participation by the three membership pillars (Government, private security industry, and civil society), as well as Observers, in the governance of the Association ensures that ICoCA fulfils its mandate to promote responsible, professional private security services.
ICoCA’s Member companies commit to an integrated approach to ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct:
- Certification, consisting of meeting a recognized international standard and a thorough review of human rights and employment practices;
- Monitoring to identify and address any issues, particularly in human rights performance;
- Complaints function to support Member company grievance mechanisms and facilitate access to alternative remedies as needed.
ICoCA support
The ICoCA Secretariat stands ready to assist clients in sourcing responsible private security companies:
- Delivery of monitoring and complaints functions;
- Assistance to private security providers in providing responsible security services;
- Support on issues and barriers to membership or compliance with the Code of Conduct;
- Advice on incorporating the Code of Conduct in procurement.
Resources
The resources below offer information and guidance for clients of private security service providers. Please note: these resources are for information only, and are not necessarily endorsed by the ICoCA.
- Legislative Guidance Tool for States to Regulate Private Military and Security Companies (Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and DCAF, 2016) Discusses existing national legislation, policies, and best practices; and provides guidance for parliamentarians and policymakers to develop or update national legislation related to PMSCs, in line with international legal obligations and taking into account good practices.
- Addressing Security and Human Rights Challenges in Complex Environments Toolkit - Third Edition (DCAF and ICRC, June 2016). Identifies real-life security and human rights challenges related to corporate operations, as well as good practices, tools and case studies. Chapter 3, 'Working with Private Security Providers,' offers specific guidance for clients of PSCs.
- Recommendations for Hiring Private Security Providers (PSPs) (DCAF, ICRC, Socios Peru, and PeaceNexus, 2016). Recommendations, good practices, checklists and performance indicators for corporate PSC clients to effectively integrate all relevant human rights considerations.
- Putting Private Security Regulation into Practice: Sharing Good Practices on Procurement and Contracting 2015–2016: A Scoping Study (DCAF Public-Private Partnership Series No. 2, 2016). Examines existing procurement and contracting systems in international organizations and states, to support procurement and contracting policies based on international human rights standards.
- Engaging Private Security Providers: A Guideline for Non-Governmental Organisations (EISF, 2011). Guidelines for humanitarian NGOs for the provision of security at headquarters, country and field level. NB: These guidelines were developed prior to the establishment of the Code of Conduct and ICoCA.
-
Public procurement and human rights (Danish Institute for Human Rights, 2016). A learning platform to gather and disseminate experiences, analysis, innovation and human rights expertise.
- The Montreux Documents and the International Code of Conduct: Understanding the relationship between international initiatives to regulate the global private security industry (DCAF Public-Private Partnerships Series No. 1, 2016). Compares good practices contained in the Montreux Document and the ICoC principles. Examines how states can regulate the provision of private security services effectively and thereby implement good practices identified in the Montreux Document; and recommends that states include ICoCA membership in their national authorisation or hiring processes.
- Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are a set of principles designed to guide extractive sector companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within an operating framework that encourages respect for human rights.
- Addressing Security and Human Rights Challenges in Complex Environments: Knowledge Hub (DCAF and ICRC) Online resource bringing together relevant resources and tools to facilitate problem-solving for companies facing the challenges of working in complex environments.
-
Download the contents of this page (print-ready 2-page pdf) (Also available in Spanish)
Participate!
For more information, as well as updates on the development of the Association, please contact the ICoCA Secretariat.