Requirements under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (SGSO)

Security Work

Under the provisions of Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (SGSO), Cap. 460, Laws of Hong Kong, the licensing authority for approving Security Company Licence is delegated to the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (SGSIA), while the Commissioner of Police (the Commissioner) is the licensing authority for issuing the Security Personnel Permits (SPP). Employer of SPP holder and holder of SPP are required to adhere to the statutory requirement of the SGSO. Any person who contravenes the statutory requirement commits an offence.

• No person other than a company issued with a valid Security Company Licence shall supply, agree to supply, or hold himself out as supplying any individual to do security work for another person for reward. (S.11(1), SGSO)
• No person shall authorize or require another person to do security work for him for reward unless the later is a valid SPP holder. This provision does not apply to person performing security work for an occupier of domestic premises in relation to that premises. (S.12, SGSO)
• Any person who employs or ceases to employ an individual to do security work for reward, whether for him or another person, shall within 14 days after the commencement and termination of the employment, give written notice to the Commissioner of the names of the employer and the employee and of the date on which the employment commenced and terminated. (S.13, SGSO)

• Any person performing security work for another person for reward is required to hold a valid SPP issued by the Commissioner. (S.10, SGSO)
• SPP holder shall work in accordance with the prescribed SPP conditions. (S.10, SGSO)

SPP Conditions (It is a statutory requirement under section 10, SGSO for SPP holder to comply with SPP condition)

• Unless employed by a licensed security company, SPP holder shall within 14 days notify the Commissioner in writing of any change of employer.
• SPP holder shall within 14 days notify the Commissioner in writing any institution of criminal proceeding against him.

Offences and Penalties

• Any person who contravenes section 11(1) of SGSO commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years.
• Any person who contravenes section 10, 12 or 13 commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for 3 months.

Written Notification

• Written notification and other relevant information can be found at the Hong Kong Police Force website: https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/licences/security.html

Detailed Provisions of SGSO

• Detailed provisions of the Ordinance can be found at the Hong Kong e-Legislation website: https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/

Frequently Used Telephone Numbers

The information given in this page is for reference only.