About CASPI                                                          

The Canadian Association of Security Professionals and Investigators (CASPI) is a Canadian non-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the Canadian Security Service Industry and to the enhancement of the Security Profession in Canada.

The main objective of CASPI is to promote the influence of Security Professionals by allowing their collective voice to be heard within the Industry, thus encouraging both Private and Government entities to allocate adequate considerations (and subsequently endorsements) for the professional opinions and inputs of Security Guards and Private Investigators all across the Country.

Despite recent changes and improvements relating to: legislation, training and acknowledgment, it is our well founded believe that many issues remain unattended (perhaps even neglected) and require constructive attention, both on Provincial and Federal levels, while the relevant debate (within and as) relating to the Industry lacks the necessary transparency and Industry participation. It is our believe that the continued active participation of Security guards and Private Investigators in processes and decisions relating to the Security Industry remains inadequate while in fact it is imperative.

While no one doubts the positive potential and beneficial influence of giving Security Guards and Private Investigators a louder voice and indeed an actual platform upon which they will be allowed to express their: thoughts, ideas, concerns, suggestions and opinions, no one has come forward with the declared intention of implementing (or even genuinely allowing) this important goal.  Which is why CASPI has been formed. 

Who are we?

We are regular and ordinary Security Professionals, same as you are, we are the: Guards, Supervisors, Private Investigators, Loss Prevention Officers, Alarm Technicians, Armoured Car Drivers, bodyguards, IT Security Specialists, Security Executives, back-check Screeners, access system operators and Armed Guards.  We are the ones who secure facilities, perform mobile patrols, watch monitors, respond to alarms, fill the duty logs, the shift reports, the incident reports, we are the ones taking the risks, we are at the frontline of so many buildings and establishments, 24/7, we are the ones dealing with supervisors and inspectors, with picky clients, with busy vendors and contractors, with couriers, we are the ones facing though situations, we deal with boredom, with the elements, with unpleasant people and we do it all day in and day out for low wages, for little gratitude, for minimal recognition, but with pride, with responsibility, with endurance, with professionalism and with persistence. We are the Multitude of Security Professionals in Canada. Join us!

Who are we not?

Perhaps unlike similar organizations, CASPI has been established by regular Security Guards, working in the Canadian Security Industry, who are focused on the creation of a nationwide organization, which will remain true to its core purpose of representing Security Guards and Private Investigators in a transparent and impartial manner, without distractions, without hidden motives and without hesitation. This organization has been built from the ground up, NOT by corporate sponsored executives and NOT by other organizations. It has no affiliation other than to ALL Security Professionals in Canada. It is not clouded by irrelevant objectives or outside motives; it is simple, dedicated and goal oriented and to the best of our knowledge it is the first of its kind and one of a kind.

While many Security Guards are members of various Trade Unions and have their interests represented in Collective Agreements, the truth is that most of these Trade Unions are not specific and not unique to the Security Industry; therefore, while upholding to their objectives with regards to employment conditions (…?), they are unable to address Industry Specific topics as efficiently as such would have been addressed by Security Professionals. More so, such collective agreements (as relevant as they may or may not be to the specific characteristics of the Security Industry) are, by their very nature, as much exclusive as they are inclusive, since while many guards are included in such agreements, others remain unrepresented and thus excluded from the benefits of such agreements. Furthermore, the membership fees paid by employees who benefit from such collective agreements (and not paid by people who do not benefit from them) create a financial interest and a sectorial affiliation, which, if not governing the Trade Unions, their actions, or the representation process and status – certainly (only too often) influence them.

CASPI is NOT a Trade Union, and though annual membership fees are necessary for the continued operation of the organization (though lower than any Union membership and unlike them – voluntary!), these do NOT separate one guard from another, not only that Security Professionals deserve a voice, this voice IS and must remain equal and undiscriminating! CASPI does NOT distinguish members from nonmembers, and there are no favorites when Industry Professionals are concerned, the interests and rights and achievements of Security Professionals and Private Investigators all across Canada cannot be and must not be related, or connected or influenced by membership in a Trade Union, or an Association or ANY organization. They are and must remain - by definition - equal. Therefore, while not all Security Professionals are members of CASPI, the truth is that CASPI strives to represent the interests and promote the standing of ALL Security Professionals and Private Investigators, not only its members!

Challenges

It is said that nothing worth achieving can be easily achieved, it is true, if our task would have been easy it would have been completed long ago. But we are encouraged by the simplicity of our goal. We aim to improve the status of Security Professionals in Canada and this process of improvement should be an ongoing one. By doing so, we are convinced that we will achieve the overall improvement of the Security Service Industry in Canada and thus benefit all Canadians. Yet we do face many challenges; Industry leaders (Corporate Service Providers) who prefer to keep the status quo, Trade Unions fear an erosion of their hold over members who are Security Professionals (and subsequent loss of income from membership fees), Government Agencies dislike changes, skeptic security professionals who have seen similar previous attempts fail and of course – the day-to-day difficulties associated with administrating coordinated efforts on a National scale.

Relatively to other entities within the Industry, we remain “the new kid on the block” we are underfunded and proportionately inexperienced, yet we are the ONLY non-for-profit organization who is offering Security Guards a voice, a choice, a plan and we do it on cost-to-coast basis. We are the fastest growing organization (of our kind) in Canada and we are yet to be heard by decision makers. We face problems, deficiencies, suspicion and even ridicule. Our supporters are the silent Professionals, busy with their daily lives, badly equipped and poorly connected, we face a long way (mostly “up hill”) and a load of difficulties. Nevertheless, we are not discouraged, we are convinced that we know what needs to be done and how to get it done. Yes, it will take time and resources, yes, there will be failures along the way, but any achievement and every accomplishment shall be irreversible and shall pave the way to the next step. The obstacles along the way only demonstrate the need for a change, the necessity of our actions. We could use your support. 

Corporate Membership

Though most of our members are individuals, CASPI does welcome Corporations and all other forms of business entities, whether engaged in the Security Industry or not.  The benefits of becoming a Corporate / Business member of CASPI are not limited to the accreditation as a Corporate member, CASPI offers valuable support and various opportunities to Corporate members. Such benefits include mediation and bridging services (with Trade Unions, clients, individual employees, colleague Companies or Government Agencies) as well as professional consultation, expert advice and some interesting Business opportunities that might promote growth and development. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information, we promise to be prompt and discrete as you would expect of us.