ACPO… Regulates Security Installing, Maintenance and Monitoring Companies According to The Services They Provide.

The Association of Chief Police Officers – ACPO

The Association ACPO was set up over 50 years ago, to develop policing policies on behalf of the whole police service, rather than by the 44 forces individually.

ACPO believes in strong local policing, supported by a coalition, which brings together the Home Secretary, the local Chief Constable and the Police Authority. The nature of modern crime and the need to use public resources to best effect, places an obligation on forces to employ common policies and procedures whenever possible.

As part of their common approach the association aims to ensure a professional and ethical service is provided for the whole population and gives professional advice to the Government, police authorities, and other appropriate organisations and individuals.

The following ACPO policy, is an important factor in our quest for the Best Home Security Companies, I quote:-

The Electronic Security Systems Policy 2000 The installing maintaining and/or monitoring company, commensurate with the services they provide, shall –

• Vet personnel who have access to third party security arrangements in accordance with British Standard 7858 or an equivalent,which ensures personnel of good repute and identifies any unspent convictions or associations, which may be deemed unacceptable.

• Have financial stability to trade, at present and in the future.

• Have adequate and relevant insurance in respect of employers, product, public, efficacy and wrongful advice liability.

• Have competent management with responsibility for all services provided.

• Have sufficient competent staff to carry out their contractual demands and the requirements of standards.

• Have adequate arrangements, documented procedures and systems in place for all of their activities.

• Have suitable premises where confidentiality can be observed and with adequate safeguards for security of information on a 24 hour basis.

• Have the necessary resources to support those activities.

• Have sufficient systems installed and/or monitored to enable competence and trading history to be determined.

• Have immediate access to and comply with the standards and documents identified in Appendix A.

• Have customer contracts describing the products and services to be supplied together with the associated terms and conditions.

• Not engage in pressurised selling or unfair business ethics.

  Appendix A – British Standards and European Norms (Latest Issue)

BS 4737 :- Intruder Alarms in Buildings

BS 7042 :- High Security

BS 5979 :- Alarm Receiving Centres

BS 6799 :- Wire free Alarms

BS 7858 :- Vetting of Security Personnel

PD 6662 :- Scheme for the implementation of European Standards

BS EN 50131-1 :- Alarm systems – Intrusion Systems – General requirements

BS EN 50131-6 :- Alarm Systems – Intrusion Systems – Power supplies

BS EN 50136-1-1 :- Alarm transmission systems

BS EN 50136-1-2 :- Alarm transmission systems – Requirements for systems using dedicated alarm paths

BS EN 50136-1-3 :- Alarm transmission systems – Requirements for systems with digital communicators using the public services telephone network

BS EN 50136-1-4 :- Alarm transmission systems – Requirements for systems with voice communications using the public services telephone network

PREN 50131-7: 199X Alarm :- systems – Intrusion systems – Application Guidelines

BS 7939 :- Smoke Security Devices