NCJ Number
29572
Date Published
1975
Length
255 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INDUSTRY BY A SPECIALIST IN SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION.
Abstract
LIPSON BEGINS BY EXPLAINING WHY THE INDUSTRY IS VERY MUCH A PRODUCT OF ITS HISTORY, TRACING THE SORTING OUT, OVER TWO CENTURIES, OF PRIVATE VERSUS PUBLIC POLICE FUNCTIONS. HIS ANALYSIS COVERS THE PRINCIPAL CATEGORIES OF PRIVATE SECURITY. THE TYPICAL USES AND ABUSES OF SECURITY GUARDS ARE DISCUSSED. PERSONNEL AND TRAINING PRACTICES ARE EXAMINED AND CRITICIZED. IN BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE, FRAUD INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEN AS CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO THE REPUTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INDUSTRY. THE ARMORED CAR SEGMENT IS GENERALLY EFFECTIVE, WITH MOST LOSSES DUE TO FAILURE BY EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES. NEED IS SEEN FOR IMPROVED SECURITY EQUIPMENT - ESPECIALLY IN ALARM SYSTEMS. LIPSON IS MOST CRITICAL OF THE LACK OF PRIVATE SECURITY LEGISLATION. HE CONCLUDES THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR AN INSTITUTE FOR PRIVATE SECURITY, INDEPENDENT OF THE INDUSTRY, FOR RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AS A TEACHING FACILITY, AND AS AN AID TO CONGRESS IN SUGGESTING REGULATORY LEGISLATION.