CHAPTER 2

HISTORY OF SECURITY

In the Christian era, the watchman is the forerunner of the security guard. During
the time that countries governed by royal families, military bodyguards or guardsmen
were picked from elite troops assigned to royal families. The Greeks of the ancient
period were the ones who organized the first police force in city-states which they
termed polis.
Hellenic Police - Greece's national police force is known as the Hellenic Police. It is
a vast organization whose duties include everything from counterterrorism to traffic
control. In 1984, the Hellenic Police force was founded. The Ministry of Citizen
Protection houses the Hellenic Police, the country's national police force.
Praetorian Guards of Ancient Rome - The praetorian guard was formally founded
by Emperor Augustus, who was now the only emperor of the Roman Empire. More
than just bodyguards, these soldiers had other duties. In the city of Rome, the
praetorians served as the secret police, frontline warriors, and occasionally even
volunteer firemen. To serve the interests of the Roman emperor, the Praetorians
were known to engage in espionage, intimidation, arrests, and murder.
Mamluks of Egypt - Mamluk is a term most commonly referring to non-Arab,
ethnically diverse slave soldiers and freed slaves who were assigned military and
administrative duties, serving the ruling Arab dynasties in the Muslim world.
Today the remaining are the Swiss Guard at Vatican City. In the Middle Ages
during their invasion of England, the French formed a group of carefully selected
men called shires or sheriffs to look after the peace and order of the different
regions.
In 1850, Allan Pinkerton a cooper from Scotland and the Chicago Police
Department’s first detective established one of the oldest, private security forces in
the US “Pinkerton’s Private Detective Agency”.
In 1909, William J. Burns Inc. was formed to become the sole investigating agency
for American Banking Association.
The first private security agency in the Philippines began on March 1, 1943,
“Special Watchman Agency”.
On May 30, 1958, the PADPAO (Philippine Association of Detectives and
Protective Agency Operators) was formally organized.
On June 13, 1969, Philippine Congress enacted RA 5487 (Private Security
Agency Law). This law assigned the most important role of the security guard force
to assist the police in safeguarding lives and properties.
On August 4, 1969, PC issued Staff Memo creating the PCSIASO (PC Security
and Investigation Agency Supervisory Office). After barely 2 months another
Staff Memo was issued remaining PCSIASO to PCSOSIA.
On June 29, 1970, it was again renamed PCSUSIA (PC Supervisory Unit Security
and Investigation Agencies).
Despite the enactment of RA 5487 and the formation of PADPAO, flaws and defects
in the administration and operation of private security agencies remained. To rectify
these flaws and defects Pres. Marcos issued PD. 11 on October 3, 1972, enlarging
the coverage of Private Security Law to include those security guards employed in
logging concessions, agricultural mining, or pastureland.
January 17, 1973, P.D. 100 was issued to broaden the coverage of industry to
include employees of the national or local government, or any agency that is
employed to secure or watch government buildings, premises, or compounds.
January 1, 1991, the creation of PNP pursuant to RA 6975 PCSUSIA became
PCSOSIA (PC Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies) and
on January 1, 1995, it was renamed as PNP SAGSD (PNP Security Agencies and
Guards Supervision Division). This unit of the PNP was given the same functions
as PCSOSIA but a more challenging and expanding task.