The Draft law on Private Security Companies is approved

With the decision 01/139, the Kosovo Government approved the Draft Law on Private Security Companies (Industry). The primary purpose of this Draft law is to uniquely determine the legal rules related to the subjects who exercise private security activities as well as the procedure on obtaining permits in the competent body. So far, the issue of Private Security Companies was not regulated by law in Kosovo, it was only regulated with the UNMIK Regulation 2000/33. The need for this draft law is of a great importance, having in mind the number of private security companies. Hence, this draft law will regulate the way that private security companies exercise their activities, with the exception of activities which are regulated based on the Law on Police and other security activities which have been assigned to state institutions.

According to Article 6 of this Draft law, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as the competent body, has the authority to establish the Division for Private Security Companies, as the main responsible body for the implementation of this law, which will function within the Department for Public Security. Whereas, Article 10 of this draft law, explains the licensing of Private Security Companies in which case the commercial subject may apply for a license to offer the following services:

• Basic security services;
• Close protection services
• TPG services;
• Services of electronic surveillance of properties;
• Event security services;

All of these services will be offered only by licensed and authorized private security companies, and they will be performed by licensed workers in compliance with this draft law. This law will have an additional budget cost (2009-2011) in the amount of 36,700 euros for two years (2010-2011), where in 2010 the budget cost will be 19,700 euros, including Wages and Supplements in the amount of 6,000 euros (2 new employment positions) as well as the expenses for Goods and Services in the amount of 13,700 euros (2 new employment positions, maintenance expenses and other expenses required for the implementation of the law); whereas the budget cost for 1011 will be 17,000 euros, including Wages and Supplements in the amount of 6,000 euros (2 new employment positions) as well as the expenses for Goods and Supplements in the amount of 11,000 euros (2 new employment positions, maintenance expenses and other expenses).

Lastly, regarding self-revenues, for year 2010 they are expected to reach 40,000 euros from income from licensing of private security companies and security workers, whereas the year 2011 will bring 12,000 euros from the licensing process.