NCJ Number
139323
Date Published
1992
Length
153 pages
Annotation
Intended as a basal text or classroom reference for security courses and a resource for problemsolving and decisionmaking, this book discusses security services as security science, interpersonal communications, personnel security procedures, and the protection of business property and product.
Abstract
The major premise of this book is that security services can also be appropriately called security science, since its methods and materials are more scientific than the bias and personal opinion of its past. Security as a science involves thorough needs assessments, the selection of the best equipment and systems, and quality control to evaluate and improve them. The first chapter of this book discusses basic concepts and strategies of security science. Among the topics discussed in this chapter are the rationale for private security services, the rising crime rate, the indirect costs of crime, the history of security services, the scope of security services, service providers, police-security interface, State licensing laws, professional certification and accreditation, and security services. The second chapter addresses interpersonal communications, since most of the activities of security officers involve verbal and written communications and most security problems can be resolved through effective communication. Subjects discussed include the need to communicate, listening skills, defense mechanisms, body language, interpersonal transactions, normalcy, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, abnormality, and criminality (crime and mental disorders, sociopaths, and psychopaths). A chapter on personnel security procedures addresses pre-employment screening, training, confidentiality and privilege, antidiscrimination regulations, surveillance, executive protection, the use of force, media relations, and burn-out prevention. The concluding chapter on the protection of property and product considers assets protection, access control, guard services, alarm systems, fires and hazardous materials, industrial espionage, protection versus privacy, locks and safes, computer crime, financial crime, terrorism, and the future of security. Appended Senate Bill 1258 (Security Officer Employment Standards Act of 1991) and resources, 115 references, and subject index