NCJ Number
43491
Editor(s)
A J BILEK
Date Published
1977
Length
402 pages
Annotation
TRAINING, LICENSING, GOOD RECORDKEEPING, AND GUIDELINES ARE NEEDED FOR PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL; THE ROLE OF PRIVATE SECURITY IN CRIME PREVENTION HAS BEEN UNDERESTIMATED.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE ON PRIVATE SECURITY OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS FOUND THAT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE SPENT ANNUALLY ON PRIVATE SECURITY AND THAT PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL OUTNUMBER SWORN POLICE OFFICERS TWO TO ONE. SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR BRINGING THE LEVEL OF PERSONNEL SELECTION, TRAINING, AND CONDUCT UP TO THAT FOUND IN THE BEST AGENCIES. IF THIS CAN BE DONE, THE PRIVATE SECURITY SECTOR CAN BE A POTENT FORCE AGAINST CRIME. CURRICULUM OUTLINES ARE GIVEN FOR MINIMUM BASIC TRAINING, TRAINING FOR WATCHMEN, FOR ARMORED CAR GUARDS, FOR ALARM RESPONDENTS, AND FOR STORE SECURITY PERSONNEL. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO FIREARMS TRAINING FOR GUARDS CARRYING GUNS. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, ETHICS, AND LICENSING ARE COVERED. CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND GOOD RECORDKEEPING WILL INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL. TRAINING IN INTERROGATION WILL ENABLE THEM TO GET USABLE EVIDENCE. THE USE OF ALARM SYSTEMS, THE FALSE ALARM PROBLEM, THE USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN TO REDUCE CRIME, AND THE INCLUSION OF CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES INTO BUILDING CODES ARE DISCUSSED. GREATER WORKING COOPERATION MUST BE DEVELOPED BETWEEN PRIVATE SECURITY EFFORTS AND THE POLICE TO MAXIMIZE CRIME DETERRENCE. THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF THE TASK FORCE REPORT IS DESIGNED FOR TEXTBOOK USE. A GLOSSARY AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE APPENDED.