Establishments and Authorities Security Department

Introduction

Establishments and Authorities Security Department is one of the departments of Ministry of Interior. It’s main mission is to guard and provide security services for different institutions within the state through high efficiency and qualified and well trained personnel.

Establishments and Authorities Security Department in the State of Qatar passed through different periods which can be summarized as below:

-1949: Discussing the idea of establishing regular force to maintain security in the state. A British officer was appointed in the same year to run the security department.

-1950: the number of police forces was increased to 140 personnel, which were distributed to guard major sites beside petroleum company. The same year witnessed the establishment of four police stations (Doha Police Station, Mesaieed Police Station, Dukhan Police Station, Command Office), where these new established stations handled the security tasks of specific places according to the geographical area they belonged to.

-1954: Police tasks were expanded, and new buildings were built as guard stations and security patrols centers in several areas. Wireless radios were installed to provide communication between different police stations and command center.

-1979: Souq (market) guards- who were civilian personnel- were recruited to become policemen.

-1984: first group of female personnel were recruited to work for Women Police Department after receiving military training. Their work was limited to the issues related to women’s problems.

-1986: Facilities Guars Division was promoted to become Facilities Guards Section. A decision was made by police commander to establish Guards Division under Capital (Doha) Police Station.

-1991: A ministerial resolution was issued to establish “Public Guards Department”, in which functions were determined and the following departments were established: Institutions’ Guards  Department, Diplomatic Missions Security Department. While Guards Division which used to belong to Capital Security (department) was shifted to Public Guards Department.

-2002: the organizational structure of Ministry of Interior were modified. Accordingly, the Public Guards Department became one of the departments which belong to Public Security. Tasks related to Security Patrol Section were distributed between Public Guards Department and Recue Police Department.

-2003: Doha Sea Port police station was changed from Capital Security Department to belong to Public Guards Department.

-2004: Guarding and protection of television and radio buildings were handled to Public Guards Department (they were under Qatari Armed forces protection).

-2009: Alongside with progress in the state, Law no (19) of 2009 was issued to practice private security services. In addition to Minster of Interior decree no (16) of the year 2009 regarding determination of the licensing authority and the competent authority for law enforcement.

-2010 Decree no (13) of the year 2010 issued by Minister of State for Interior Affairs regarding the amendment of organizational structure and functions of Public Guards Department. Private Security Services’  Section was founded, were its main task was the issuance of licenses and approvals for private security companies, besides the task of control and inspection of these companies.

-2011: Minster of Interior’s resolution no (4) of the year 2011 regarding regulations organize the use of arms and ammunitions by members of private security companies and the inspection was passed.

-2012: Decree No (8) of 2012 made by Minister of Interior regarding terms and regulations for approving the establishment of private security centers and the organization of its work was issued. Also Decree No (9) of 2012 regarding the determination of the fees for private security companies, workers’ inspection, fees for hiring arms, and issuing license for security consultation centers.

-2016: Ministeria Decree was issued to change the name of the Department as 'Establishments and Authorities Security Department'.