NCJ Number
58131
Journal
Nation Volume: 221 Issue: 16 Dated: (NOVEMBER 15, 1975) Pages: 486-491
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE INCREASING ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS EXPLORED IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL, DEMAND, IMPACT UPON CRIME RATES, AND AFFECTS UPON INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES OF CITIZENS.
Abstract
THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS GROWING AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 10 TO 15 PERCENT ANNUALLY; EXPENDITURES ON UNIFORMED GUARD SERVICES HAVE DOUBLED IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, AND NOW INVOLVE COSTS OF 10 TO 15 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. ALTHOUGH PRIVATE GUARDS NOW OUTNUMBER POLICE IN MOST STATES, THEY ARE NOT NORMALLY INCLUDED IN DISCUSSIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION, FEWER THAN ONE-FIFTH OF PRIVATE GUARDS RECEIVE FIREARMS TRAINING, AND GOVERNMENTAL REVIEW OF THEIR ACTIVITIES IS ALMOST NONEXISTENT. WITH THE RISE IN URBAN VIOLENCE AND BUSINESS CRIME, MORE FIRMS HAVE TURNED TO PRIVATE SECURITY FOR PROTECTION, WITH COSTS LARGELY PASSED ALONG TO CONSUMERS. THE LARGEST PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS INCLUDE PINKERTON'S, BURNS, WALTER KIDDE AND CO., AND WACKENHUT CORP. TODAY, PRIVATE POLICEMAN GUARD APARTMENT BUILDINGS, STORES, FACTORIES, OFFICE BUILDINGS, AIRPORTS, HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES, AND SPORTING EVENTS; BANKS AND CORPORATIONS ARE THE MAJOR CUSTOMERS. IT IS STATED THAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY EXISTS BECAUSE PUBLIC POLICE DEPARTMENTS DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL OR BUDGETS TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT PRIVATE INDUSTRY. PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS PROVIDE THE ADVANTAGES OF DEVOTING ALL THEIR TIME TO THE CLIENTS' INTERESTS, BEING ACCOUNTABLE ONLY TO THEIR CLIENTS, AND BEING MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN PUBLIC POLICE (I.E., THE AVERAGE SALARY OF PRIVATE POLICE IS IS $2.50 PER HOUR). AS THE DEMAND FOR PROTECTIVE SERVICES HAS INCREASED, HOWEVER, PAY HAS RISEN TO ATTRACT YOUNGER, BETTER EDUCATED PERSONNEL. DISADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL, FROM THE PUBLIC'S POINT OF VIEW, INCLUDE THEIR IMMUNITY FROM SEARCH-AND-SEIZURE AND OTHER CONSTRAINTS OF PUBLIC POLICE. UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS FREQUENTLY CONDUCTED ARE OF QUESTIONABLE LEGALITY, AND OFTEN INVOLVE INVASION OF PRIVACY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT TIGHTER REVIEW AND REGULATION OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AGAINST UNWARRANTED FORCE AND INTERFERERENCE. (LWM)