At the recent BSIA Annual Luncheon, Robbie Calder, a Director of Broadland Guarding Services, received an award recognising his contributions to the development of standards within the industry. We spoke to the BSIA’s Police and Public Services Section Chairman and discovered just how well deserved this recognition was.
A former military man, Calder has 18 years experience in the security industry and was incredibly modest about his recent award, saying that it was a “surprise”. However, when you consider that he has played an instrumental role in the development and establishment of a range of vital industry standards, including the requirements for SIA licensing relating to CCTV operators, BS7958 for CCTV Control Rooms, Warden Schemes, and currently he is assisting work on a new search standard, his award is far from a surprise.
Calder first got involved with the BSIA through his first job in the security industry after leaving the military, acting as the company’s BSIA representative. From there his involvement in the organisation has gone from strength to strength, and he now chairs the Police and Public Services Section. Speaking about the importance of the BSIA and the standards it produces, Calder insists that on-going monitoring of how the industry is changing is vital.
“The BSIA represents the vast majority of security companies and it raises and drives standards up across the board,” he said. “Everything changes, nothing stands still, so it’s vital that standards evolve to remain effective.”
One of the best examples of this is Calder’s work with BS7958, the British Standard for CCTV Control Rooms. This began life as a BSIA code of practice that was built around data protection requirements before becoming a British Standard in 1996, Calder has been involved in the three reviews since then introducing amendments that have included an annex for contractors and an annex for traffic enforcements, as well as the current review of the existing standard, which Calder is involved in by representing the BSIA on the BSI committee.
Another demonstration of Calder’s commitment to driving up standards in the security industry is his work with the Warden Scheme standard.
“The Warden Scheme was actually something I had initiated with a Local Authority in the North West in 2000 to help tackle crime in a difficult area,” said Calder. “So it was bespoke for the needs of the area, but it worked exceptionally well. So well in fact that David Blunkett, then Home Secretary, used it as a good example of cooperation with the police in clause 5.24 of his Policing a New Century A Blueprint for Reform document in 2001.”
As a result of this recognition, the BSIA approached Calder to develop the scheme into a BSIA code of practice. Last year this was developed into a British Standard.
And there is no sign of Calder resting on his laurels! He is currently helping work within the BSIA on developing a much needed code of practice for searches and supporting the regular parliamentary round tables hosted by the BSIA to encourage on-going cooperation between the security industry and the police. All of this is in addition to his fulltime role as a Director of Broadland Guarding’s UK and Germany arms, a growing company that is a well known name in the manned guarding sector.
So next time you have to look up a standard to make sure your company is operating efficiently, think of Robbie Calder and the rest of the hardworking team at the BSIA, who tirelessly pursue ways to strengthen and lift up the security industry. And join us in sharing our congratulations with Calder on his well-deserved award.
Visit bsia.co.uk for more information on codes of practice for all sectors of the security industry and information on current British Standards.
