Founder and managing director of Metropolitan Tactical Elite Protective Services Ltd (MTEPS) Jase Keith Faria wants to revolutionise TT’s security industry.

It may be an ambitious task but he is confident the company, which was registered with the Ministry of Legal Affairs in May 2019, could create “a fundamental shift” in the way people view the industry.

In a recent interview with Business Day, Faria said he has done a comprehensive analysis of the local industry over the years and believes it is void of vision both in respect of operations and public image.

Security officers in this country, he observed, are not respected.

“Too many times security officers are treated without respect in this country. And this can be caused by a lack of training and lack of vision in many local companies to bring higher standards to the industry. I think Metropolitan will bring about that change in mindset and philosophy for which people have been crying out for the longest while.”

He noted that long before covid19, the security industry was one of the few sectors in which people could have gained employment to support their families.

But he claimed many companies do not take into consideration the fact that officers still have to contend with challenges in their respective households – children to send to school, medical bills, high food prices, travelling to and from job sites. Faria claimed the companies also do not put measures in place to incentivise their officers.

“What about bonuses for these officers that work diligently. Security officers don’t get bonuses. They get a flat rate, coming in work for 12 hours. Some of them work double shifts and they are not given any meals.”

He added, “These are the factors that will not make a great officer and these are the things that companies need to be more considerate about when coming to officers’ needs.”

Faria has no qualms about entering into an already saturated industry, saying it is like any other business.

“There are many grocery stores in TT but everyone seeks out their own specific needs of what they want. It is the same thing with the security industry. We will show our clients what we have but it is also up to them to do their research. The clients will see your experience eventually.”

For Faria, who grew up in east Trinidad, the company is the manifestation of a dream he has harboured long before migrating to the US in the 1990s.

“It took some time for me to get my feet wet in the US. But by the time I was settled in and got myself firmly on track, I made it my life’s mission to work to fulfil my dream.”

He is ecstatic and humbled that the years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice he has put into establishing his own security firm, have finally paid off.

The company provides security for homes, businesses, construction sites and social events.

“You name it. Metropolitan provides security for it.”

Its officers are also trained to accompany clients to commercial banks, other financial institutions and the magistrate's and high courts.