Partners contribute to enhancing private security regulations in Guatemala

The Swiss Embassy, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) and the Teaching Institute for Sustainable Development (IEPADES) also participated in the initiative.

The project aimed at organizing a session on initiatives, standards and best international practices in private security regulation for private security companies registered at the General Directorate of Private Security Services (DIGESSP).

The information session was an opportunity for senior personnel and trainers of DIGESSP to get up to speed with the characteristics of the private security sector in Guatemala, the international tools available such as the Montreux Document and the International Code of Conduct with the purpose of being able to respond to challenges and main dispositions around human rights.

At session one, participants discussed about Guatemala’s private security sector, and its challenges, including governance. They also shared experiences around the strengthening of the existent regulations, the contribution of international best practices to regulators and tools available to implement policies.

During the second part of the session, participants addressed how to continue developing high standard services of security companies. They also analysed how the International Code of Conduct could be used by companies, and how to reinforce the due diligence in the hiring process, highlighting the added value for clients that hire companies’ members of ICoCA.

The objective of the project was to provide DIGESSP with information on the importance of reaching international good practices and standards in the field of private security, specifically regarding the role of the Directorate as the governing body in Guatemala.