Public and Private Policing Functions, Term Paper

The private security field also underwent significant reforms in connection with the qualifications, training, and (especially) vetting of employment candidates as well Ortmeier, 2009). Ironically, instead of recognizing the comprehensive improvement throughout the private security industry after 2001, many police personnel intensified their pre-existing disdain for all non-sworn security professionals instead (Dalton, 2003).

The Conceptual Significance of Public and Private Spaces

One of the worst consequences of the antagonism on the part of police toward private security forces is that the private security industry could actually provide valuable assistance to the overall interest of national, regional, and local security. Whereas the actions of all government policing and law enforcement authorities is very strictly limited by fundamental constitutional principles (especially in connection with 4th Amendment search and seizure concepts), non-governmental security agents can operate with considerably wider latitude (Larsen, 2007). In general, private security personnel may conduct various types of searches and investigations pursuant to the assertion of private property rights that would constitute egregious constitutional violations if conducted by any governmental policing authorities (Larsen, 2007). But for the degree to which the uncooperative attitude of police toward private security personnel is unfounded, greater cooperation with and coordination between police and private security could improve the ability of police to accomplish their public safety mission.

Toward a Solution

I addition to the 9/11 attacks, there were other incidents that rightfully cast doubt on the private security industry. One such incident was the notorious rape and murder of New York City graduate student Imette St. Guillen by ex-felon Darryl Littlejohn who was working as nightclub security at the trendy Greenwich Village nightclub where he attacked her (Schmalleger, 2008). However, those incidents (and others) prompted wholesale changes throughout the private security field. Admittedly, there is still a lack of uniformity of standards and qualifications within the industry (Ortmeier, 2009). However, many private security firms have implemented much stricter qualification and training standards. Establishing high-quality standards throughout the industry is certainly one necessary component to improving the quality of the relationship between public police and the private security industry. The other necessary component is a change in the culture within law enforcement with respect to the unjustified prejudice against the entire private security industry without regard to merit. Ultimately, it is beneficial to all stakeholders to rectify that situation by directing equal attention toward both of those issues.

References

Dalton D. (2003). Rethinking Corporate Security in the Post-9/11 Era. Burlington, MA:

Butterworth-Heinemann.

Larsen R. (2007). Our Own Worst Enemy: Asking the Right Questions About Security to Protect You, Your Family, and America. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

Ortmeier P. (2009). Security Management: An Introduction. Uppers Saddle River,

NJ:…