By Bosphorus News Türkiye Desk
Türkiye's private security sector has grown into an institutional network spanning training academies, alarm monitoring centers and thousands of licensed companies, according to figures compiled by Nefes Gazetesi from General Directorate of Security (EGM) data dated August 3.
The number of private security personnel actively working within police jurisdiction reached 329,849, the compilation found. Of that total, 169,250, or roughly 51.3 percent, are employed in public institutions, while 160,599, or about 48.7 percent, work in the private sector, putting the two employment tracks close to parity.
A Much Larger Pool Holds Valid Credentials Than Currently Works
The number of people holding a valid private security identification card stood at 877,215, according to the same data. Of those, 590,143, or about 67.3 percent, are licensed as armed personnel, while 287,072, or roughly 32.7 percent, hold unarmed credentials.
Not everyone with a valid card is currently employed in the field. The ratio of active personnel to total credential holders works out to approximately 37.6 percent, meaning close to two-thirds of Türkiye's licensed private security workforce is not presently working in the sector.
Thousands of Licensed Sites and Companies
EGM data show 85,331 locations within police jurisdiction hold private security permits, alongside 444 individual personal-protection permits covering bodyguard-style services for private clients.
The sector's institutional infrastructure includes 649 private security training institutions, 1,359 private security companies, 370 provincial or municipal government-linked security companies, and 65 alarm monitoring centers, bringing the total number of registered organizations to 2,443.
Sources: Nefes Gazetesi, Türkiye's General Directorate of Security (EGM), Bosphorus News review and reporting.