Imperial to downsize its security team
Imperial College is reducing the size of its Security and Community Safety (SCS) team to make financial savings.
In emails sent to staff concerned by the changes in early June, the Director of Security and Community Safety said she identified a need to improve “value for money” and announced a "reduction in staff numbers".
Security staff were given the option to apply to an “Accelerated Turnover Payment” (ATP), a scheme allowing them to voluntarily leave the university, taking home up to six months' worth of salary. The scheme closed on July 3rd after a deadline extension.
Many security officers were displeased by the announcement, with one saying he felt “insulted”, and another “angry, upset, a bit scared”.
Imperial currently uses a "hybrid" model under which the work of SCS, its in-house security team, is complemented by agency staff from security firms. Should officers take the ATP, the university's reliance on agency staff — an issue previously flagged by security officers — would only increase.
Due to high turnover rates within agencies, multiple officers feel that external staff lack the know-how and commitment of the in-house team.
Imperial management also told staff members in late June that it is also exploring a “reassessment” of roles within the Security team, including changes in working patterns and reductions in contracted hours. It insisted that no decision was taken regarding the possibility of a future redundancy scheme.
The changes come as Imperial’s Property Division, which oversees security operations, undergoes a transformation process to streamline its operations and address “broken processes”.
In an email to Property Division staff in late June, Imperial said: "We recognise the significant contribution Security and Community Safety colleagues make to Imperial and remain committed to engaging openly and respectfully throughout the process. Our intention is to create a model that is sustainable, resilient, and fit for the long term, while continuing to support the safety and security of the campus community."
