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Private Security and Public Safety - Developments and Issues

NCJ Number
100614
Journal
Journal of Security Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (1984) Pages: 51-61
Author(s)
R Meadows
Date Published
1984
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Private police provide security not supplied by public police; their effectiveness can be increased by improved training and cooperation with public police.
Abstract
Private police are increasingly used in personal and property protection, both in public and private settings, since public police cannot give the specialized protection afforded by private police. Increased cooperation is needed between public and private security forces, given their common concern for public safety, crime prevention, and crime control. In some jurisdictions, such cooperation has extended to private police performing functions formerly performed by public police, under contract to local governments. Additional legislation is required to ensure that security officers receive the training appropriate for their functions and authority. Adequate training should be of particular concern to employers of private police, since they are legally liable for on-duty abuses inflicted on citizens by their employees. Private security personnel should also increase their involvement in security planning associated with building design and enterprise operations. 26-item bibliography and 2 notes.