NCJ Number
125492
Date Published
1990
Length
311 pages
Annotation
After examining factors that have contributed to the rise of the private-security industry, this book discusses the legal parameters for private policing, accountability sanctions for private police, the training of private police, and the interaction of private police with the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The introduction notes that the law provides a structure for self-protection, and the security officer has become an instrument for individual and corporate self-protection as the threat of crime has outdistanced the ability of public police to provide protection against criminal victimization. Another chapter reviews the historic development of private security, common duties of private police, trends in private security, and contiguous areas associated with public and private security. A discussion of the interaction of private police with the criminal justice system focuses on the components of the police, the judiciary, and corrections. Sanctions for violations of the legal parameters of private-security actions are described, followed by an outline of the legal standards for private security in each State. Other aspects of private security addressed are relevant case law, proprietary and contractual security, training needs assessment, and the criterion required for professionalization of private police. 12 notes, 22 references, subject index.