McKay Demands Sector Cleanup -Wants Justice Ministry probe security firms

MONROVIA – Liberia’s private security industry has expanded dramatically over the past two decades, with uniformed guards now protecting banks, embassies, businesses, government facilities, and residential communities across the country—yet regulatory enforcement, by many accounts, has failed to keep pace with the sector’s growth, leaving legitimate operators to compete with firms of uncertain legal standing. That gap between expansion and oversight has now drawn a pointed intervention from within the industry itself, as the head of one of the country’s fast-rising security companies publicly calls on the Ministry of Justice to audit every private security operator in Liberia and shut down those unable to prove full and proper compliance with the law, as THE ANALYST’s H. Matthew Turry reports.

The Chief Executive Officer of Alvina Security Services Inc., Chief Alvin McKay, has called on the Government of Liberia to launch a comprehensive nationwide audit of all private security companies, urging authorities to ensure that every operator in the sector complies with the country’s legal and regulatory requirements.

Speaking Monday, July 13, 2026, ahead of Alvina Security Services Inc.’s fourth anniversary celebration, Chief McKay said stricter regulation is necessary to protect the integrity of Liberia’s expanding private security industry and strengthen public confidence in companies entrusted with safeguarding lives and property.

He specifically appealed to the Public Safety Department of the Ministry of Justice, the government body responsible for regulating private security companies, to conduct a thorough investigation of both licensed and unlicensed operators across the country.

“More Than Guarding Gates”

According to Chief McKay, the private security industry has become an indispensable partner in Liberia’s national security architecture by complementing the work of the Liberia National Police and other state security institutions.

He noted that private security personnel now provide protection for banks, diplomatic missions, businesses, government institutions, humanitarian organizations, residential communities, and commercial establishments throughout Liberia, while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for hundreds of Liberians.

“Private security companies are no longer just guarding gates and buildings,” McKay said. “They play a significant role in maintaining public safety, protecting investments, and supporting national development. This important responsibility requires strict adherence to the laws governing the industry.”

Despite the sector’s rapid growth, Chief McKay expressed concern that regulatory enforcement has not kept pace, allowing some companies to operate without meeting the standards established under Liberian law. He warned that the presence of non-compliant operators threatens the credibility of legitimate security firms and could undermine public trust in the industry.

“The Government must prioritize private security companies that are operating professionally and within the framework of the law,” he said. “At the same time, the Public Safety Department at the Ministry of Justice should conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that every security company is legally registered, properly licensed, and fully compliant with the laws of Liberia.”

A Compliance Checklist

Chief McKay recommended that the Ministry of Justice examine several key compliance requirements during any sector-wide review, including valid business registration documents, operational licenses, Ministry of Justice authorization, tax compliance with the Liberia Revenue Authority, and fulfillment of other statutory obligations required under Liberian law.

He argued that companies unable to satisfy these requirements should not be permitted to continue operations until they have regularized their legal status.

According to him, stronger regulatory enforcement would help remove illegal operators from the marketplace, improve professional standards across the industry, enhance accountability, and increase public confidence in private security services.

He further emphasized that businesses, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, and residential communities depend heavily on private security providers and deserve assurance that those companies operate according to nationally recognized standards.

Regulation as Opportunity

Rather than viewing increased regulation as punitive, Chief McKay said effective oversight would benefit both the government and legitimate security companies by creating a more transparent, accountable, and competitive industry.

He also encouraged authorities to recognize and support companies that consistently meet regulatory standards, invest in staff training, and maintain high levels of professionalism.

Industry observers note that Liberia’s private security sector has grown considerably over the past two decades as demand for security services has increased across both the public and private sectors.

The expansion has created employment opportunities for many Liberians but has also heightened the need for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure quality service delivery and compliance with national laws.

Ministry Yet to Respond

Chief McKay reaffirmed Alvina Security Services Inc.’s commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, and full compliance with all applicable laws, pledging the company’s continued collaboration with the Government of Liberia and other stakeholders in promoting national peace, public safety, and security.

The company is expected to commemorate its fourth anniversary this week with a series of activities highlighting its contributions to Liberia’s private security industry.

As of Monday, the Ministry of Justice had not publicly responded to Chief McKay’s proposal for a nationwide compliance audit of private security firms.

The ministry has also not indicated whether it intends to undertake a sector-wide review or release updated data on the number of licensed private security companies currently operating in Liberia.