NCJ Number
127594
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A national survey of private security conducted in 1990 indicates that private security outspends public law enforcement by 73 percent and employs 2.5 times the workforce.
Abstract
Annual spending for private security totals $52 billion, and private security agencies employ 1.5 million persons. In comparison, public law enforcement spends $30 billion a year and has a workforce of about 600,000. Business crimes commonly investigated by private security personnel rather than public law enforcement include computer crimes, fraud, and industrial espionage. The survey identifies eight specific categories of the private security industry: proprietary security, guard and patrol services, alarm services, private investigations, armored car services, security equipment manufacturers, locksmiths, and security consultants and engineers. Some efforts have been made to foster cooperation between public and private security sectors such as the Joint Council of Law Enforcement and Private Security Associations funded by the National Institute of Justice. Many in both law enforcement and private security consider privatization, false alarms, police moonlighting, and "private justice" to be the key issues in building improved relationships between the two sectors. Forecasts indicate that private security and public law enforcement expenditures will reach $104 and $44 billion, respectively, and that private security will employ an estimated 750,000 contract guards and 410,000 proprietary security personnel by the year 2000. Standards and training associated with private versus public security are examined, and recommendations to improve private security training and operations are offered. 11 notes and 1 exhibit