NCJ Number
3381
Date Published
1972
Length
158 pages
Annotation
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL ACCORDING TO THE OMNIBUS CRIME SECURITY SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC CONTROL ELEMENTS.
Abstract
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICE CATEGORIES ARE OUTLINED, ILLUSTRATING THE DIVERSITY IN TYPES OF SECURITY ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR POWERS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THE FORCES SPURRING GROWTH IN PRIVATE SECURITY ARE DISCUSSED WITH TRENDS IN REPORTED CRIME RATES AND PUBLIC POLICE BUDGETS, BUSINESS LOSSES TO CRIME, AND BUSINESS CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES. THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CRIME INSURANCE AND THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND THE QUESTION OF SIZE AND EXTENT OF PRIVATE SECURITY FORCES ARE COVERED. EMPLOYMENT AND EXPENDITURES ARE TRACED OVER A DECADE OF THE INDUSTRY'S GROWTH. THE PURCHASE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT IS REVIEWED FROM THE STANDPOINTS OF PRODUCTS AND MARKETS. CONTRACT SECURITY, THE INDUSTRYS FASTEST GROWING SECTOR, IS DISCUSSED IN DETAIL, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PROS AND CONS OF EMPLOYING IN-HOUSE FORCES VERSUS CONTRACTING FOR PRIVATE POLICE SERVICES. COSTS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIVATE SECURITY ARE DISCUSSED AS ARE SUCH PERSONNEL MATTERS AS KINDS OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED, THEIR TRANSIENCE AND EARNINGS, AND TRAINING, OR THE LACK THEREOF. SUMMARY SURVEY RESULTS OF ABOUT 300 PRIVATE SECURITY WORKERS PROVIDES INFORMATION ON EMPLOYEES PERSONAL AND WORK HISTORIES, CURRENT JOB TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE OF LEGAL POWERS, JUDGEMENT IN HYPOTHETICAL WORK SITUATIONS, SUPERVISION, RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC POLICE, AND POTENTIAL FOR IMPROPER ACTION AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY. (SNI ABSTRACT)