NCJ Number
178325
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: 1999 Pages: 7-17
Date Published
1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the first national survey of legislation regulating the security industry in Australia.
Abstract
The survey estimated the size of the security industry and assessed legislative statutes and enforcement strategies. The industry was up to three times the numerical strength of the police. There was a trend towards comprehensive licensing of security occupations, primarily through controls on entry by criminal record checks and minimum training requirements. However, there was significant inconsistency among the country’s eight jurisdictions. Strategies for monitoring the conduct of licensed personnel were relatively passive, relying largely on complaints. The article argues that the industry and consumers could benefit greatly from a unified national system, with implementation of more proactive forms of compliance monitoring and professional development. Tables, notes