REGULATION OF SECURITY INDUSTRY AS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM - POINTS FROM A DISCUSSION AT THE 5TH UN CONGRESS ON CRIME PREVENTION

• NCJ Number: 31109
• Journal: SECURITY GAZETTE Volume: 17 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1975) Pages: 381 AND 383
• Author(s): P J STEAD
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 2 pages
• Corporate Author: Security Gazette Ltd
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECTION OF THE CONGRESS DEALING WITH 'THE EMERGING ROLES OF POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES' WAS THAT PRIVATE SECURITY ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO SOME PUBLIC CONTROL.

Abstract

RISING CRIME RATES, AND POLICE RESOURCES WHICH ARE OFTEN INADEQUATE TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF MANY COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, CREATE A VALUABLE ROLE FOR PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES. OTHER SERVICES, NOTABLY INVESTIGATIVE AND FIRE PROTECTION, MAY ALSO BEST BE PROVIDED BY PRIVATE SOURCES. IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE, IT WAS GENERALLY AGREED THAT SOME DEGREE OF PUBLIC REGULATION IS DESIRABLE. THIS MIGHT TAKE THE FORM OF LICENSING, SCREENING, AND/OR THE REQUIREMENT OF BASIC QUALIFICATIONS BY A PUBLIC AUTHORITY. ALTERNATIVELY, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE INDUSTRY MIGHT COLLECTIVELY REGULATE ITSELF, WITH POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE OR OVERSIGHT FROM THE STATE.