NCJ Number
45033
Date Published
1975
Length
24 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A 1970-71 STUDY OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PUBLIC POLICE ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE STUDY ACCEPTED THE PREMISE THAT PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES FILL A PERCEIVED NEED AND PROVIDE CLEAR SOCIAL BENEFITS. THE RESEARCH FOCUSED ON ALTERNATIVE POLICY AND STATUTORY GUIDELINES THAT MIGHT IMPROVE THE INDUSTRY'S EFFECTIVENESS. EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE POLICE INTERACTIONS POINTS UP THE PARALLEL BETWEEN THOSE INTERACTIONS AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANY 'PROFESSIONAL' AND 'PARAPROFESSIONAL' GROUPS. PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY RELATE TO ABUSE OF AUTHORITY; DISHONESTY AND POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES; ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL POLICE RECORDS; GATHERING OF INFORMATION FROM THIRD PARTIES; NONREPORTING OF CRIME AND THE 'PRIVATE' SYSTEM OF JUSTICE; HIGH FALSE-ALARM RATES; AND PERSONNEL QUALITY, TRAINING, AND SUPERVISION. POLICY AND STATUTORY GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATE TO LICENSING AND REGULATION, TRAINING, FIREARMS, REGULATORY SANCTIONS AND EFFECTIVENESS, AND MONITORING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS. IN GENERAL, THE GUIDELINES ARE AIMED AT PROMOTING UNIFORMITY IN THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY BUSINESSES AND PERSONNEL AND IN THE LAWS GOVERNING THEIR FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING INFORMATION TO HELP LEGISLATORS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES AND OFFERING POSITIVE INCENTIVES, RATHER THAN NEGATIVE SANCTIONS, FOR IMPROVING PRIVATE SECURITY.