Principle Protection Services Limited Suspended for COA Violations

Principle Protection Services Limited (PPSL), a Christchurch-based security company, has had its security licence suspended for three months after repeatedly engaging a security guard without a valid certificate of approval (COA) and failing to meet statutory obligations under New Zealand law.

The decision, handed down by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) on 30 January 2026, comes after a complaint by the Complaints Investigation and Prosecution Unit (CIPU) revealed that Maximillian Emmerson was working as a crowd controller for PPSL without a current COA.

PPSL has a history of regulatory breaches. In February 2023, the company was reprimanded for employing a security guard without a COA and continuing to operate after its licence had expired. At that time, PPSL assured the PSPLA that it had improved its record-keeping and compliance systems.

However, the recent investigation found persistent failures:

• Engaging Mr Emmerson as a security guard after his COA expired in 2022.
• Failing to file annual returns for 2024 and 2025 on time, despite repeated reminders.
• Providing misleading information to the PSPLA regarding Mr Emmerson’s role and the improvements made to their compliance systems.

PSPLA concluded that PPSL’s actions constituted misconduct under sections 43 and 45 of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010, defining misconduct as behaviour that a reasonable person would consider disgraceful or in violation of the Act.

PPSL claimed that Mr Emmerson was only performing an “observational” role to monitor other security staff rather than acting as a crowd controller. PSPLA rejected this explanation, noting that Mr Emmerson’s time was billed and recorded as security work, and he provided misleading information to investigators regarding his COA status.

“While Mr Emmerson may have had some observational responsibilities, he was effectively working as a crowd controller,” the authority stated. “The narrative that he was only observing was created after PPSL received notice of the complaint to avoid further disciplinary action.”

Rather than cancelling PPSL’s licence entirely, the PSPLA ordered a three-month suspension from 23 February to 23 May 2026, or until PPSL complies with filing its outstanding annual returns—whichever is longer. During this period, PPSL is prohibited from providing crowd control, property guard, or personal guard services. Any breach of this suspension could result in full licence cancellation.

PSPLA also warned that any further breaches during the current licence period could lead to a longer suspension or permanent cancellation. Company directors Duncan Fong and Jon Field were reminded that compliance with record-keeping, COA verification, and annual return filing is essential to continue operating legally in New Zealand’s security industry.

This case highlights the strict standards the PSPLA enforces in New Zealand’s security sector. Security companies must ensure all staff hold valid COAs, maintain accurate records, and comply with all statutory obligations. Failure to do so can result in licence suspension, financial penalties, or permanent revocation. https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Decisions/2026-NZPSPLA-007.pdf