NCJ Number
137809
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1992) Pages: 1-16
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The rapid growth of the private security industry in Britain and its involvement in sensitive activities has led to an overdue debate on the issue of regulation.
Abstract
In mainland Britain, the only measure of regulation aimed at the private security industry is the Guard Dogs Act of 1975. Other than Britain and Eire, all other European Community members have some statutory security regulation in force. The U.S. is seen as a model of security regulation among liberal democracies even though the various State laws lack uniformity and comprehensiveness. In Britain, two factors have put the issue of regulation back on the political agenda. The first is that Britain will be forced to establish some regulatory framework after 1992 and the second is the critical stance taken by the Association of Chief Police Officers against the lack of regulation. In implementing regulatory statutes, lawmakers must consider the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms as well as the credibility and legitimacy granted to these mechanisms. However, they must also recognize the limitations placed on regulation by the social and political context in which it operates. 7 notes and 30 references