Premium Essay

Private and Public Security

In:

Submitted By brotherherb04
Words 5214
Pages 21
Private security and public policing
Karen Swol

I

n recent years, both the number of police officers in Canada and the crime rate have been declining. However, the rates for many workplace or white-collar crimes, such as computer crimes, employee theft, and fraud, are increasing. Public police do not always have the resources to handle these “internal” crimes. In some cases, for example, a fraud of at least $100,000 must be committed for public police to give it priority (Gerden, 1998). With cutbacks to police budgets occurring just as the public’s demand for security seems to be growing, the use of private security has been increasing. Police officers differ considerably from private security personnel in the work they perform, the basic job requirements and training. Both police and private security play a role in society; however, the line between the two security professions is becoming less clearly defined. Police officers who walk the beat in front of commercial properties may now meet up with private security guards hired by shopkeepers to patrol their storefronts as a deterrent to theft and break and enters. In general,

this type of private security does not require a police presence nor does there exist a potential for danger. Some police forces have formed partnerships with private security in areas such as secure storage of property and evidence, monitoring of alarm centres, guarding of prisoners while in lock-up or in transit, and video- and audiotaping of suspects being interviewed (Stewart, 1997). This article compares public and private security (see Data source and definitions) and includes information on roles and responsibilities and minimum requirements and training.

Police officers, whose salaries are paid by tax dollars, are responsible for serving and protecting the public. Their jurisdiction includes areas in the public domain.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Public Policing vs. Private Security

...Public Policing vs. Private Security Public Policing vs. Private Security It is in my estimation, public policing stands for more in society than private security because of the funding provided. The duties and responsibilities to enforce the law and maintain order in society is that of public policing. Agencies paid to perform the protective and lost-prevention type duties not handled by police officers are the private security agencies. Society needs to know the pros and cons for each agency to ensure that agency will protect him or her for the correct reasons. In comparing public policing and private security for society, most individuals need to see the different branches and what each agency offers to ensure the best for the situation.   Most agencies leave a good review for society and attempt to provide information on public locations for society to view to gain more knowledge about each system and organization. There are several distinct differences between public policing and private security. Public policing does the following: 1) maintain order, 2) performs community service, 3) detect crime, 4) handle crime, and 5) prevent crime, 6) traffic control, 7) stop and questioning an individual, 8) search/seize individuals and their personal belongings, 9) conduct interrogations, and 10) arrest an individual. Private security does the following paid duties: 1) serves as an escort, 2) patrol housing and business areas, 3) serves as guards at gates, 4) transport valuables...

Words: 1709 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Assignment 1 Public and Private Security

...Week 1 Assignment1 Public and Private Security SEC 300 April 15, 2014 Public Security | Private Security | Police officers are commissioned by their local or state governments and are employed by them. | Security guards work either directly for a security company or for a specific business. | Police departments prefer applicants who have college degrees in criminal justice or pre-law. | Security guards normally need only a high school diploma or equivalent to be hired. | Police officers go through thorough background checks and intense training in police academies. | Security guards often are interviewed, hired and employed on their first patrol. | Public police officer is sworn to protect all people and property, and is authorized to enforce the laws of his city and county. | The basic role of a security guard is to protect the property and people of the business that employs him. | Police officers can enter and conduct legal searches of private buildings and houses. | Security guards are confined to patrolling and securing only the businesses or property assigned to them by their employer. | Police officers can serve arrest warrants and make legal arrests. | Security guards do have the power to apprehend and detain non-violent suspects such as shoplifters. | Police officers are commissioned by their local or state governments and are employed by them. | Security guards work either directly for a security company or for a specific business company. | The...

Words: 426 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Public Policing Versus Private Security

...Justice and Security | Public Policing versus Private Security Comparison | AJS/502 | Latisha Lipsey | 5/19/2014 | | Public policing and private security have many similarities as well as differences. There are a couple of different fields of policing, which include private security and public policing. State government, city government, and towns provide the community with public policing to enforce laws and serve and protect the citizens (The Debate on Private Versus Public Policing, 2007). Private security functions include loss prevention duties or protective services. Private security also specializes in closed circuit monitoring services, secret level clearance, and patrol. Public policing has the right to arrest, where as private policing does not have the right to arrest, but they are able to detain someone until law enforcement arrives (The Debate on Private Versus Public Policing, 2007). There are some cases where private security goes undercover, which is similar to public policing, this is to blend in with the environment and also used as asset protection. The vision between public policing and private security has been a little blurred through the years, private police look like and at times behave like public police, and there are also similarities of the job activities and responsibilities (The Debate on Private Versus Public Policing, 2007). But there is a huge difference between the two, in which the hiring process for public includes a physical...

Words: 1631 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Public Policing vs Private Security

...Public Policing Versus Private Security Comparison Alan Shank AJS/502 September 9, 2013 Christopher Eberle Public Policing Versus Private Security Comparison Comparing public policing and private is important in the criminal justice field as the criminal justice field moves toward a future of technological changes and the desire to keep the public safe while keeping costs down. To examine these two separate areas of criminal justice they will be broken down to see how each one is structured and the primary goals for each one. Public policing and private security can be used to describe the methods that we use in the world to keep people and their goods safe. First, we will examine Private Security; in its simplest form, the term “private security” refers to the protection of people, property, and information (Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment, 2002, pp. 1253). Society recognizes that the broader role of private security is for individuals and businesses to pay a fee to protect their persons, private property, or their interests from hazards (Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment, 2002, pp. 1253). Private Security has developed throughout history along with Public Policing. Private Security has its roots in the middle ages under the system of Feudalism (Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment, 2002, pp. 1253). Land barons and kings hired retainers (infantrymen)...

Words: 2165 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Public Policing vs Private Security

...Public Policing Versus Private Security Trina Burkett AJS/502 March 19, 2012 Dr. Pamela Knothe Public Policing Versus Private Security When comparing public policing to private security there are several similarities and differences between the two roles. Private security is paid by a private company or agency, whereas public policing is paid by government salaries and by tax payers. Public police officers have the authority to enforce laws and protect and serve society. Private security officers are paid to protect private property and personnel. Most of the duties that public policing and private security officers perform are similar. The services that both officers perform are to achieve similar goals, to prevent, and deter crimes. Public policing and private security officers serve as leaders while performing their duties. Public policing and private security officers have a positive impact on the criminal justice system. The impact that both of these companies have on the criminal justice system could be enhanced if both would team up, work together, and look toward the future. Other topics that will be discussed are the importance of a comprehensive security plan and its key components. There are several differences between public policing and private security. Even though both public policing and private security perform the same type of work, private security protects organizations and personnel. Public policing has the authority to enforce the laws...

Words: 1138 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Positives of Private Security as Opposed to Public Security

...delinquency and the occasional fight. However, school violence has become a problem which has plagued the nation for the past several years. There has been an increase in the amount and the degree of violence. Students are now bringing guns, knives, and other weapons to school, and many are using them to hurt and kill. With incidents such as the shooting rampage in Littleton, Colorado, the public has become increasingly concerned with ways of predicting and reducing violence in the schools. The problem is how to reduce the amount of violence in America’s schools. The purpose of this study is to investigate the major factors of school violence, the effects of school violence, and the methods of prevention. The questions that this study attempts to answer are the causes and signs of school violence, the effects on the academic community, and methods of prevention. It is hypothesized that school violence will be caused by exposure to violence in the media. It is also hypothesized that school violence will have detrimental effects on the academic community. Finally it is hypothesized that increased security will reduce violence. Causes and Signs of Violence in Children In order to reduce and eventually eliminate school violence in our nation, we must first understand the causes and signs that lead to violence. If we can understand the causes, we can perhaps eliminate these factors from the lives of children. Similarly, if we can recognize the factors that lead to school violence, we can...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Public Policing vs Private Security

...Court System of the United States Curtis Sweed May 19, 2013 AJS/502 Professor John Baiamonte, Jr. In the United States every person is given the right to pursue life, liberty, and freedom. When people fail to comply with the laws of the United States there is a penalty that comes with failing to obey the laws. In the United States the court system consist of the federal court system and each state court system. States are given the right to enact laws and regulations that is best for the interest of each citizen of that state. Many states have laws that other states do not have. Each state is different but is ultimately rule by the federal government. In Texas the court system consist of Justice Court, Municipal Court, County-Level Court, District Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, and the Court of Criminal Appeal. Texas leads the nation in execution and one of the largest populations of offenders incarnated in the free world. Texas seems to practice a policy of being "tough on criminals," reflecting the belief of most Texans that a strong deterrence is the most effective crime-fighting policy. Texas has the highest incarceration rate of any state or Western industrialized nation and is the leading state in both sentencing people to death and the number of prisoners executed (Dille, 2008). The Texas court system is built around a primary county. These counties are name county seats. These counties are the location of all major court system. Each town has a jail...

Words: 1163 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Private and Public Sector Cyber Security Needs

...Private and Public Sector Cybersecurity Needs George Gritten Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 The Current State of Cybersecurity 4 The Evolution of Cybersecurity 7 Moving Towards a More Secure Tomorrow 9 Conclusion 10 References 11 Executive Summary Today’s world is quickly evolving into a world that relies solely on technology as a way to do business and communicate. With this move towards a technology-centered society, both public and private sectors have to keep up with and evolve just as quickly, while trying to be proactive when it comes to security. The world today is not as safe as it once was, and as it changes to a more paperless, technological-based society, access to information is becoming increasingly accessible. With this, cyber-attacks and security breaches have become a significant risk of doing business. As hackers, botnets, and various other cyber-based threats have become progressively more malicious and continue to attack organizations and governments alike, a prevailing question is how to unite the public and private sectors so that they can evolve to defend against that which they cannot see. Introduction Today's reality is rapidly advancing into a world that depends exclusively on technology as an approach to work together and connect. With this move towards a technology-focused culture, both government and private sectors are needing to stay aware of and develop almost as fast, while attempting to be proactive...

Words: 2198 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Privitasation of Policing

...Page 1 of 15 Public Police and Private Security - Impact of Blurred Boundaries on Accountability ‘Gap’ Public safety and security are understood to be the responsibility of the state to its citizens as a ‘social right’ agreed between the government and its citizens, (Kempa, Carrier, Wood, and Shearing, 1999) enforced through policing, establishing a line of accountability between the publicly funded police and their citizens, providing services on a non-profit basis, (Department of Criminology, 2009/2010). Bayley and Shearing, (1996) describe public policing as government ‘monopoly’ which in recent times has inevitably undergone restructuring enabling private security to blossom. Significantly, the boundaries between the roles of the public police and private security have become less clear in recent years, despite the varying degrees to which the private security and the public police are regulated, creating accountability gap between the ‘highly regulated’ public police and the ‘barely regulated’ private security. Johnston, (1999) describes the term ‘policing’ as a ‘social function’ while the term ‘police’ refers to agents. According to Johnston, (1999) policing is a form of social control. As many aspects of life can be influenced by a social control, Cohen, (1985, as cited in Innes, 2003:13; Johnston, 1999) defines social control in the context of policing as organised (societal) response to deviant behaviour. Reiner (1997, as cited in Johnston, 1999) describes...

Words: 4764 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Government vs Private Security Employees

...officers determined the need for private agencies which try to fill the gap between the need and supply of officers. Fear and concern about the safety of the citizens, protection of the property and more important the prevention of crime caused the growth of privatized security agencies. With most of the best officers recruited to the better paying jobs with Federal Government and with decrease of new recruits willing to “serve and protect” new economic opportunity arose for the private sector to fill in the gap. I will attempt to cover the legal, ethical, managerial, economic issues, evaluate the daily practices of both professions, and what the future may hold for them. (Stephens, 2009). In comparison, private policing is more adapt at the protection of personal and corporate interests whereas public police is more concerned and equipped to enforce the regulations of the judicial system and interest of the public. Described as passive policing, private policing is more proactive rather than reactive in its crime prevention efforts. The opposite to what public policing provides, which is more reactive in nature thank private policing. Position requirements for private policing vary and depend on the type of work to perform and state laws. There are few at best, statutes or laws, giving the private security industry any form of governmentally granted rights or powers to legitimize its existence. (Stephens, 2009). The high standards required by public policing is not regulated, accreditation...

Words: 1580 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Stuff

...between Public Policing Vs. Private Security A. Job Requirements for Public Policing B. Job Requirements for Private Security II. Public Policing rules Vs. Private Security Rules A. Rules that Public Police must follow B. Rules that Private Security must follow III. Public Policing restrictions Vs. Private Security A. Restrictions in Public Policing B. Restrictions in Private Security IV. Public Policing bosses Vs. Private Security Bosses A. Who are the leaders/Bosses of Public Police B. Who are the leaders/Bosses of Private Security V. Public Policing Salaries Vs. Private Security Salaries A. Public Police Salaries B. Private Security Salaries VI. Conclusion Project Sub-topics: I. Job Requirements between Public Policing Vs. Private Security A. Job Requirements for Public Policing B. Job Requirements for Private Security II. Public Policing rules Vs. Private Security Rules A. Rules that Public Police must follow B. Rules that Private Security must follow III. Public Policing restrictions Vs. Private Security A. Restrictions in Public Policing B. Restrictions in Private Security IV. Public Policing bosses Vs. Private Security Bosses A. Who are the leaders/Bosses of Public Police B. Who are the leaders/Bosses of Private Security V. Public Policing Salaries Vs. Private Security Salaries A. Public Police Salaries B. Private Security Salaries VI. Conclusion Project Sub-topics: I. Job Requirements between Public Policing...

Words: 322 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Public Policing

...Public Policing versus Private Security Achievement in civic monitoring depends on a successful conglomerate structure which aggressively looks for innovative prospects for partnership opportunities in problem-solving. Public policing and private security are significant schemes of patrolling and safeguarding property and citizens. Both provide identical services and goals like preventing criminality and mayhem, recognizing offenders, and guaranteeing the safety of the general public and assets. When comparing public policing to private security there are several similarities and differences between the two roles. Additionally, public police officers have the authority to enforce laws and protect and serve society while private security officers are paid to protect private property and personnel. The separations of private and public security departments have been can be noted since the boom of private security companies in the early 2000’s and can be seen even before these years as private security has been around since the early 60’s, there are now major corporations dedicated to the private security sector who secure and manage numerous properties all over the countries and in causes such as Wackenhut Security company, all over the world. The developing section of the private security continues to be towards sentries and watch components in the community, shopping complex, isolated neighborhoods, high-rise compound, or financial institutes all have their own private...

Words: 1413 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Policing

...Annette Davis Inside Public and Private Policing CJA 500 Survey of Administration & Justice Dr. John Baiamonte, Jr. November 1, 2010 Assignment Write a 1500 to 2000 word paper that compares and contrasts the roles, responsibilities, and differences of public and private policing.  Cite at least two scholarly works (articles or books) or government documents. However, your textbook cannot be used as a source. Public policing has been known to have a monopoly on policing until the increased trend of private policing in the United States. Private policing, while emerging as a new industry, is not a new phenomenon and predates the existence of public police as witnessed today (Wilson 1994). Public and private policing have many similarities, as well as differences and the distinction between public and private police are often blurred. Private police look and behave like public police and describing their function often involves a comparison of the activities and responsibilities of the two. Despite the differences, public and private police tend to mirror each other to a certain extent (Nalla & Newman, 1990). The increase of private policing has been in response to many changes in society such as the increase of "mass private property" (Shearing and Stenning, 1983) in the form of large shopping complexes, cinemas, large retail stores and large compound style housing estates or gated communities. These require constant surveillance for the safety of shoppers and residents...

Words: 8202 - Pages: 33

Premium Essay

Relationship Between Private and Public Police

...Relationship between Private and Public Police Hope Washington CJS/250 Introduction to Security April 7, 2013 John Adams The relationship between public and private police, initially it was the responsibility of the public police-law enforcement to provide protection to all society and the property that existed within the jurisdictions these police officers served. In contemporary day, public and private police officials can be found working hand-in-hand on a regular basis at numerous public and private events-functions. In addition, it is not uncommon to observe police officers working part-time jobs with private security officials in order to safeguard valuable assets. Certain jurisdictions throughout the United States, have giving special private security officers arrest powers as a result of the lack of public security officers available. One major difference that has been slowly but steadily changing is the mandatory training required for both the public and private security officers. The training and education a public police officer must complete in order to be hired by any department, is on average far more in-depth than that of a private security officer who usually is forced to submit to a standard drug test and a basic back ground criminal investigation check. But the educational opportunities that exist in modern day, the availability of these educational opportunities and the liability problems that exist as a result of not having professionally trained individuals...

Words: 858 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Criminal Justice..Paper

...1 Relationship Between Private and Public Police Introduction to Security April 10, 2011 Cyndi White 2 Both private police and public police are important to our society. They are both necessary in order to protect our society, it may be protecting a person from harm, or even protecting a business and the personnel within that business. Either way both of them are responsible in helping with crime deterrence. When it comes to the relationship between private and public police, this is one that has been debated for many years. In some views the relationship can be viewed as negative and in others views, it can be positive. In away if there was a partnership between the private and public policing the safety would be beneficial to both parties. Even though there can appear to be some similarities within the responsibilities of both private and public policing, there are a lot of major differences. Public policing is an arrangement that will make sure that the citizens are law abiding and orderly. The main reason for public policing is for the safety of the public and crime prevention. Private policing are normally contracted by individuals or companies in order to protect their private property so that there is not any harm that could happen. Many people and law enforcement officers see these private security officers as people who want to become law enforcement officers, but could not pass the training for some reason or another. Yet, this is not true...

Words: 867 - Pages: 4