The Security Department supports the safety and security of the Parliament of The Bahamas, its Members, employees, visitors and parliamentary facilities. Through security operations, access management, monitoring and coordination, the Department helps maintain a safe and orderly environment for the conduct of parliamentary business.
The Security Department is responsible for supporting the protection of Parliament’s people, buildings and activities.
Security personnel help maintain a safe environment throughout the precincts of parliamentary while supporting the day-to-day operations of the institution.
The Department works closely with parliamentary management, staff and relevant authorities to address security needs and respond appropriately to situations that can affect the safety and orderly functioning of Parliament.
The Security Department’s responsibilities may include:
The Department supports appropriate access to Parliament’s facilities and helps ensure that visitors enter and move through designated areas safely.
Visitors may be required to follow established security requirements when entering parliamentary premises.
Security measures may vary depending on the nature of parliamentary proceedings, official events, visitors and other activities taking place within the parliamentary precinct.
Parliamentary proceedings require a secure and orderly environment for Members, parliamentary staff, accredited personnel, visitors and members of the media.
The Security Department supports the safe conduct of proceedings in both the House of Assembly and Senate, as well as other official parliamentary activities.
Security personnel remain attentive to the needs of the institution while maintaining appropriate professional standards.
Parliament hosts official functions, meetings, ceremonies, educational activities and other events throughout the year.
The Security Department supports these activities by helping manage the safety and orderly movement of participants and visitors.
Event-specific security arrangements are determined according to the nature and requirements of each activity.
The Security Department contributes to Parliament’s preparedness for emergencies and incidents that may affect the safety of people or the operation of parliamentary facilities.
This may include:
Detailed emergency procedures are maintained separately from publicly available information where appropriate.
Security at Parliament may require coordination with external agencies and authorities.
Where necessary, the Security Department works with relevant law enforcement, emergency response and other authorized agencies to address matters affecting the safety and security of Parliament.
Security personnel are expected to perform their duties professionally, respectfully and with appropriate discretion.
The Department’s work involves balancing security requirements with the need to maintain an accessible and welcoming environment for Members, employees, visitors and other authorized persons.
Parliament is a public institution, and appropriate public access is an important part of parliamentary engagement.
Security requirements help ensure that members of the public can participate in or attend authorized parliamentary activities while maintaining a safe environment for everyone within the parliamentary precinct.
Visitors are encouraged to follow all instructions provided by authorized security personnel.
Security support may be required for:
Supporting a safe and orderly environment during sittings of the House.
Supporting security arrangements during sittings of the Senate.
Providing appropriate security support for parliamentary ceremonies, functions and official activities.
Supporting the safe arrival and movement of authorized visitors and delegations.
Helping maintain a safe environment during public-facing parliamentary activities.
Security concerns or incidents occurring within parliamentary facilities should be reported promptly to authorized security personnel or the appropriate parliamentary authority.
Reports may assist the Department in:
For emergencies, individuals should follow the instructions of security personnel and contact the appropriate emergency service when necessary.
Security is a shared responsibility.
The Security Department works with:
This cooperation helps support a safe environment across the parliamentary precinct.
A safe parliamentary environment depends not only on security measures but also on the cooperation of everyone who enters Parliament.
Members, employees and visitors are expected to:
The Security Department is staffed by personnel responsible for supporting the safety and security of Parliament.
Kendal Pennerman
Chief Security Officer
kendal.pennerman@bahamasparliament.org
Sean Brown
Chief Security Officer
Sean.brown@bahamasparliament.org
Security measures help protect Members, employees, visitors, parliamentary facilities and the orderly conduct of parliamentary business.
Public access is permitted for authorized parliamentary activities, subject to applicable security and access requirements.
Report the concern promptly to an authorized security officer or the appropriate parliamentary authority.
Remain calm, follow instructions from security personnel and emergency responders, and use designated procedures where directed.
Access requirements may restrict certain items or activities. Visitors should comply with instructions provided by authorized security personnel.
The Department’s responsibilities should be understood according to its approved mandate and security arrangements. Specific operational responsibilities should not be published without official confirmation.