"Golden Eagle is the most energetic from eagles. This is a big bird with long wings, powerful paws and strong claws. It is valued as an excellent hunting bird".
"Life of Animals", volume 5.
When the world was covered by the wave of terrorism, it became evident that all security services (both state and private) should unite to keep the country in peace. This policy was chosen in all civilized countries. And Vladimir Putin called for collaboration in the work of fighting with terrorism. Among a big number of registered private guard organizations in Nizhny Novgorod Region “Berkut” is the biggest one, that’s why this company, having gathered several structures, is already called the Association of Guard and Legal Companies. This is an enormous team. Its representatives can be seen everywhere: in shops, cafes, large industrial enterprises, hockey matches and other mass events. Today the Association works together with state services and pays its tribute to the business of protecting law and order in this country. Our correspondent Victoria Zgeeva met with General Director of the Association of Guard and
Legal Companies “Berkut”, ML (Candidate of Legal Science) Pavel Kovalev.
- How many objects are you protecting? What services are mostly demanded?
- In general the previous year was very important for the company from the point of view of development, mastering the structure and raising the level of our image. The number of objects under our guard rose by 1.5 times and now it makes more than 150. We get new objects and make new agreements almost every week. The list of services embraces all types stipulated by the Law of RF “About Private Detective and Guard Activities in RF”. Basically we provide protection of large industrial enterprises, shopping centres, keep law and order in places of mass events. Our clients are companies in Nizhny Novgorod and its Region.
I must notice that a customer today wants to have not only an executive but a responsible and reliable partner who can professionally fulfill his duties. This is our main policy which is realized in practice and, from the point of view of the customers, singles out the company on the market.
- How strict is your organization to selection of employees?
- Management of the Associations regards human resources as the primary constituent of their work. There are about 1500 employees in the company and requirements to them are just growing: requirements to physical state, professional experience, and general culture of behaviour. We take young people and the preference is given to those who served in the army. The unconditional requirement is discipline. These parameters are taken into account when we choose people. The Association is the only guard company in the region which has its own training centre “Berkut-Cadet” that provides retraining of management of security cervices and teaching of guards.
- How do you collaborate with Internal Affairs bodies?
- When administration of Sovetsky District of Nizhny Novgorod turned to private guard business for help, we started to participate in common raids to protect law and order, in providing security during mass events. Starting with June from 5 to 8 guards from “Berkut” patrol the Sovetsky District, we provide our transport too. This initiative was supported by the city authorities, there was made a Coordinating Committee, which is headed by Uri Novozhilov, one of my deputies.
- How, do you think, should a common centre of cooperation of private and state guard structures work?
- This is a big issue today. The role of non-governmental guard structures in the protection of law and order and struggle against crime should be regulated on the basis of their free-will cooperation under one management. There are ways of solving this problemme. Such guard societies are made and function in Moscow and St Petersburg. Their collaboration is coordinated by one body. We studied their experience and this year Association “Berkut” joint the Coordinating Centre of Managers of Guarding and Detective Structures, which unites 79 regions of Russia.
It’s understandable that any union of guard structures can’t be without patronage of state bodies, that’s why the management of the Association has developed a proposal to activate this work in the city and Region to Nizhny Novgorod Office for Internal Affairs.
- What changes, in your opinion, should be done in the legislation to improve work and exclude abuse of power in private guard agencies (and police too)?
- The law which now grounds the work of guard companies was passed in 1992 and it needs to be revised, especially articles about using weapons and providing control. In the Ministry Of Internal Affairs RF there are suggestions about alterations of this law but their passing is delayed, unfortunately.
- What development perspectives for private guard agencies do you see?
- We are optimists in this respect. I think in the future we’ll have large guard companies. Non-governmental guard structures perform a very important function of widening the social base of resistance to crime and terrorism. Now former military men, people who served in law-enforcement bodies and special services and young people who are physically and spiritually healthy enter into the process of fighting with illegal actions.
Another argument in favour of development of private guard structures is the following: businessmen should and they are starting to understand the necessity of solving the problem of safety in its complex, which can be provided by large companies. They can not only guard but take material responsibility and insure against risks.
I would like to use the opportunity to congratulate all citizens of Nizhny Novgorod with the coming holiday “Fatherland Defendants’ Day”. And please accept my best wishes.
February 18, 2005
"Nizhegorodskie Novosty"