Public Policing Versus Private Security

Public policing and private security have some similarities, but also unique differences are evident in their duty and operations. Public policing has the specific duty of ensuring that citizens follow the law and order. On the other hand, private security firms receive money to undertake “protective and loss-prevention duties that are not handled by the police” (asisonline.org, 2012). The services that they offer are essentially similar as they help in achieving the same objectives. The two agencies are leaders in their areas of control. However, two sets of standards control the leadership structure of each agency. On the other hand, the two have a good working relationship with the criminal justice system. Indeed, the two security agents can have a better working relationship if they combined their efforts in meeting security needs of the citizens. This relationship would help them combine their efforts in the pursuit of their roles. This will ensure a smooth running of security operations in meeting the needs of all stakeholders. This paper will evaluate the two agencies in terms of their security plan and essential components in achieving their objectives.

In the provision of security, one can choose between public policing and private security. The two agents have similar functions. Equally important, there are also differences that make each agency unique and successful in its mandate. In terms of training and responsibilities, the two agencies are similar. However, public policing and security agencies differ in the manner in which they interrelate as well as in the roles they undertake within the criminal justice system. Indeed, the two have different policies, and mandates in the provision of security. The policies of each agency influence the functions of each path although they are similar to some extent and different in some other aspects. However, there is a need to have comprehensive security measures in certain areas.

The police and security guards have many similarities that overlap in various ways. One similarity is that both employ men and women. In addition, they wear uniforms that make their identification to the public easier. “Although every private police agency may not perform all the tasks that a public police department does, many do, and private police in the aggregate unquestionably perform all of these duties” (Joh, 2004, p. 51). In addition, the two agencies have the same responsibility of ensuring laws are adhered to, and that society enjoys a safe environment.

However, despite these similarities, several differences underpin their operations. Security guards operate with a better remuneration package than the police officers. The police have the duty of ensuring laws are followed. It is the duty of the police to protect the public. They have the powers to arrest those who break the laws. Therefore, the public is the focus of the police force. On the other hand, security guards ensure that laws are also followed. However, they must make a decision as to whether those who break laws harm the organization that they work for or protect. Therefore, the entity that the guards protect is of more importance than the welfare of the public. Indeed, the services that security agencies provide include “patrol, alarm response, and special enforcement” (Reid 2011). According to Greene (2005), “The image and value of private security has elevated itself such that private security being used more and more to augment public police functions in traffic control, parking enforcement, crime scene preservation and most other areas” (P. 58). On the other hand, the police respond to emergency calls, and they conduct patrols in the main streets.

The leadership structure in the two groups is the same. A paramilitary ranking procedure is used in the police force. Indeed, the military structure is the same in the public police in many ways. According to, Dempsey & Forst (2011), “some of the lowest ranks include officers, detectives, and sergeants” (p. 39). Each rank gives its report to the next authority in the hierarchy. Employees are given training in-house and frequent certifications are carried out to ensure officers work at their best.

On the other hand, a similar structure is employed within the private security group, (Reid 2011). They have the same positions as the police officers, and each guard reports to another employee staff member unlike in the police where employees report to the appointed officers. The security guards also undertake in-house training and have similar certification programs. However, the duration and the quality of some of the certifications vary significantly compared to those of the police (Joh, 2004).

The two agencies have a crucial role in the criminal justice. They make “arrests, undertake investigative responsibilities, and mitigate criminal activities by their physical presence in an area” (Reid 2011). Indeed, their work helps minimize or control criminal activities, secure justice for the people, and keep the citizens safe in their homes and working places (Reid, 2011).The police department is guided by laws as well as a set of policies in their work. These laws and policies are critical in the execution of their mandate because they ensure that the rights of citizens are not infringed in any way (asisonline.org, 2012). The laws require the police to inform suspects of their rights when they are arrested. In addition, the policies provide guidelines on conducting searches, arresting, questioning, and detaining suspects. The police officers have powers in arresting suspects compared to security guards.

A comprehensive security plan has three main components. These include “physical, personal and information security” (Reid, 2011). There are also other minor elements classified as secondary, and these include technical and operational security. The physical component of security refers to the objects that are tangible including buildings and walls, which provide protection to the people. According to Dempsey & Forst (2011), other physical components that are useful in providing security to people include lighting, security alarms, and the people who provide security. Physical security is the first and most significant components in the provision of security to the citizens.

Personal security is essential in giving protection of people in an organization (Joh, 2004). For instance, the government provides people with identification documents to individuals who have a genuine reason of entering an installation. The military people operating from the gates scrutinize any identification document provided at the gates to ensure that people entering the building or an installation are not a security risk. Background checks are done to ensure people who obtain military identification cards are not a risk in any way. The level of any data provided is based on the significance of the information so provided. Information of a sensitive nature is not shared in an open manner but is encrypted and shredded for discarding. This is an example of information security (Reid, 2011).

On the other hand, technical security deals with measure of assessing the level of risk and using security surveys to determine any potential lapses in security (Joh, 2004). Technical security helps in gauging the potential loss that a threat can have in case of a security lapse. It is through technical security that measures can be put in place to prevent any loss to an enterprise. The three elements are critical in the provision of security by the police as well as the security agencies. Accordingly, a comprehensive plan prevents execution of any plan or operation if one of the components is lacking (Reid, 2011).

In summary, the two agencies have responsibilities that overlap in providing security to the citizen. Their methods of operation and legal mandates are different. The police have the power to make arrests. They can detain individuals based on information that they have. However, this is subject to the laws that they operate under. On the other hand, private securities have limited powers in making an arrest, and they rely on the police in this regard, although the law does not limit security guards from making arrests. Police have the role of arresting and questioning. Indeed, the differences make the agencies effective in certain situations. The police can put more efforts and resource in other aspects of security without being concerned over the security cover that can be done by security guards in places such as retail store or public events. Indeed, the roles of the two agencies are complementary and, therefore, they can do more work if they worked harmoniously. In reality, they have a relationship that swings from love to hate.

References

Asisonline.org. (2012). ASIS Security Management Standard: Physical Asset Protection. Retrieved from http://www.abdi-secure-ecommerce.com/asis/p-1136-1995.aspx

Dempsey, J. S. & Forst, L. S. (2011). An Introduction to Policing. New York: Cengage Learning.

Greene, D. H. (2005). CHAPTER 8: Security Officer vs. Police Officer. In , Shopping Center Security (pp. 54-58). Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=127&sid=bc2b944950848123cfb24bc30dd74%40sessionmgr113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=bth&AN=25753247

Joh, E. E. (2004). The Paradox of Private Policing. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 95(1), 49-131.

Reid, T. (2011). Criminal Justice Essentials. New York: John Wiley & Sons