Lithuania - Security Industry Overview
Lithuania. Security Industry Overview
Lithuanian security forces are ± 10,000. The total number of private companies in the field of security is ± 67, of which large companies (with a staff of more than 500 people) are not more than 4. Moreover, the level of monopolization of the market is low.
The agencies controlling relations in the market of security structures in Lithuania are the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the Police Directorate under the Ministry of Internal Affairs - territorial police commissariats. Special legislation regulating relations in the security market is Decision of the Government of Lithuania No. 160 of 12/03/1993, regulating personal safety and property security (entered into force on May 5, 1994), and Law No. IX-2327 adopted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania 08/07/2004, "On personal safety and security of property", which entered into force on January 12, 2005.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lithuania carries out compulsory licensing of security structures. A license for 3 years is issued only to companies from Lithuania and the EU, EEC and NATO member states. A license is not required for companies licensed by the EU or EEC member states to protect persons entering and leaving the Republic of Lithuania for a period of not more than 3 months per year.
A security guard license can only be obtained by a citizen of Lithuania or EU, EEC or NATO member states who are older than 18 years old and who meet the requirements for health reasons, training and registration. The certificate is issued by the police department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs or territorial police commissariats for a period of 3 years.
The owners and employees of security companies should not be in the police preventive or operational dossier, in the dossiers of state institutions about mental disorder, alcoholism, drug addiction, under investigation in a criminal case, should not have a criminal record and work in the public service, as a lawyer or notary.
According to the law on the control of weapons and ammunition, a permit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is mandatory. Weapons can only be worn on duty. Each weapon is subject to registration. Out-of-office weapons should be stored in specially designated storage facilities. Pistols and smoothbore guns are allowed to be used; automatic weapons are allowed when guarding banks and collectors. When guarding objects of special importance, other weapons are also allowed.
Material was prepared by the Security Industry Association based on information provided by the Confederation of European Security Services Herald of the Security Industry Association Issue 1, July 2005