please respond to my classmate discussion post listed below.
Exercise #1:
The 1976 ” Report of the Task Force on Private Security” suggests the private security industry could be a key resource in crime reduction. Some examples of private security’s wide ranging services include infrastructure protection, alarm monitoring, commercial guards and investigative services (DOJ, 2010). For private security to be effective it must be structured and regulated by a set of ambitious standards similar to “public security”. The Report and publications afterwards offers key items and goals to be addressed by the private security industry.
One item is the licensing and registration of private security. While private security often has similar roles to public police, there is no nationwide licensing statue, leaving regulations widely varying from state to state (DOJ, 2010). For example, in the state where I reside, Maryland, any company providing security guard services must be licensed by the Maryland State Police under Maryland’s Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 19(MSP, 2015). Whereas states like Idaho and Kentucky do not require any licensing for security guards (Security Guard Training Central, 2020). Without standardized nationwide private security licensing agreements, training cannot be mandated leaving companies and individuals open to civil and criminal liability.
Another item is monetary compensation for the security industry. Findings show the salary of private security is significantly less than private police (DOJ, 2010). Since the private security industry often relies heavily on contracts for employment, they bid low to remain competitive resulting in lower pay for the guards (DOJ, 2010). Lower pay equals less qualified candidates in the private security sector. With private security contracts that are short term or temporary, it is financially challenging to offer employee benefits such as sick leave or vacation (DOJ, 2010)
Much like licensing and pay in the private security industry, education and training has varying standards. Most private industries do not require education above a high school diploma or GED (Security Guard Training Central, 2020). The American Society for Industrial Security International recommends companies provide a minimum of 48 hours of course instruction to new security guards (ASIS, 2022). Mandating state licenses and certifications to work in the private security industry would help alleviate untrained individuals in the field. As stated, multiple times in our reading, private security has roles and responsibilities like public police, however, receive far less training.
Relationships between public police and private security can be difficult. The Report states the importance of collaboration between the sectors. When the public and private police have a positive relationship, their community benefits. The information shared between the two can involve reporting suspicious activity to deter criminal activity or sharing building layouts and plans leading to quicker evacuations in an emergency (DOJ, 2010). Due to incidents like 9/11 the security field became in high demand and when the police workforce was exhausted the private security industry filled the gaps (DOJ, 2010) In 2006, over 76% of the United Stated critical infrastructures were protected by private security (DOJ, 2010). Entities, such as, IACP’s Private-Sector Liaison Committee and ASIS International Law Enforcement Liaison Council have been developed to improve relationships between private and public sectors.
Overall, I believe the demand for private security will continue to expand with the nationwide shortage of public police. For private security to maintain high standards licensing regulations for security companies, certifications for guards with specialized job training, and better pay with benefits, along with improved collaboration between private and public sectors are necessary.
Referenced:
The American Society for Industrial Security International. (2022). What Training Is Needed for Becoming a Security Guard? www.asisonline.org. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://learn.org/articles/What_Training_is_Needed_for_Becoming_a_Security_Guard.html
Maryland State Police. (2015, April 29). LICENSURE OF SECURITY GUARD AGENCIES AND SECURITY GUARDS. Maryland State Police Licensing Division ADVISORY LD-SSU- 15-001. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Documents/LD-SSU-15-001%20%20Licensure%20of%20Security%20Guard%20Agencies%20and%20Guards.pdf#:~:text
National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals. (1976). Home | Office of Justice Programs. Report of the Task Force on Private Security. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/40543NCJRS.pdf
Security Guard Training Central. (2020, March 25). The Complete Guide to USA Security Guard License Requirements. Security Guard Training Central. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.securityguardtrainingcentral.com/complete-guide-usa-security-guard-license-requirements/#:~:text=%20Idaho%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20unique,to%20gain%20employment%20as%20an%20unarmed%20security%20guard.
The US Department of Justice. (2010). The Private Security Industry: A Review of the Definitions, Available Data Sources, and Paths Moving Forward. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/232781.pdf
Exercise #2:
The term “private security” means different things depending on who you ask. RAND, a nonprofit research institution, defines private security as “all types of private organizations and individuals providing all types of security-related services, including investigation, guard, patrol, lie detection, alarm, and armored transportation”(DOJ, 2010). Kakalik and Wildhorn’s research in the 1970’s defined private security as simple as “private police”. In the 1980’s that definition was criticized by the Halleck report as too narrow and should be a more comprehensive definition to include “physical, information, and employment-related security is a more accurate representation of the roles and responsibilities of private security”(DOJ, 2010). The Private Security Task Force’s definition stressed the need to include that protection services are offered for a fee hence that private security is a “for profit” business (DOJ, 2010). The PSTF definition was also criticized because private security is utilized in non-profit organizations, like schools and churches. Despite the definitions all parties agreed “private security” includes crime prevention. Over the years private security has branched out to include, not only personal and property protection, but virtual security for infrastructures like networks.
In order for a security director to create a security plan they must identify what vulnerabilities will be covered. Since private security covers many facets the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International created 18 core elements for security management (DOJ, 2018). The elements range from physical and personal security to developing architectural designs that prevent and deter crime. ASIS’s elements listed in their definition of private security could be used as a guide to show how broad of a spectrum private security covers.
Referenced:
The US Department of Justice. (2010). The Private Security Industry: A Review of the Definitions, Available Data Sources, and Paths Moving Forward. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/232781.pdf
