The Act Party is proposing a policy that would grant security guards the authority to detain people and use force [1].
This shift represents a significant change in New Zealand's approach to private security. By delegating law enforcement powers to non-police personnel, the proposal seeks to change how businesses handle crime and disorder on their premises.
The policy is driven by the belief that police resources are currently overstretched [1]. Under the proposal, security guards would be given the power to detain people and use force [1]. This would allow businesses to respond to incidents more quickly without waiting for police officers to arrive at the scene [1].
The proposal argues that businesses can no longer wait for officers to respond to urgent situations [1]. By expanding the legal toolkit available to private security, the Act Party aims to reduce the burden on state law enforcement, while increasing the immediate security of commercial properties.
Currently, the scope of security guard authority is more limited. The proposed overhaul would explicitly authorize the power to detain and search individuals [1]. This move is designed to provide a faster response mechanism for businesses facing security threats, which is a direct response to the perceived gaps in police availability.
Supporters of the measure said that this redistribution of authority is necessary for the modern business environment. However, the move to allow private citizens to use force and detain others marks a departure from traditional policing models in New Zealand.
“Security guards would be given the power to detain people and use force”
This proposal suggests a pivot toward the privatization of certain law enforcement functions in New Zealand. By granting security guards the power to detain and use force, the Act Party is attempting to mitigate the impact of police resource shortages through a decentralized security model, shifting the immediate responsibility for public order from the state to private entities.
