NCJ Number
178222
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: 1999 Pages: 17-28
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
While the reasons for and the history of shifts to more diverse and privatized policing in Anglo-Western societies have been widely examined, formal and informal mechanisms of accountability and regulation of private sector policing have rarely been explored in a systematic way.
Abstract
Sweeping statements are often made asserting that accountability for private security operations is either nonexistent or at the very least inferior to accountability for public policing. Many individuals contend the private policing sector is not adequately regulated by government and is largely unaccountable. In contrast, some security industry officials believe that the private policing sector is adequately accountable and needs little further regulation. Reasons why accountability questions are rarely answered satisfactorily are noted. Drawing mainly on Australian studies, relative merits and demerits of regulatory models are examined that are often cited in support of arguments favoring the increased privatization of security operations and practitioners. 63 notes