Book Description

This report of a study based on 30 months of research from 1980-83 documents the accelerated growth of private security resources in the past decade, discusses a fundamental shift of primary protection responsibility from the public to the private sector, and outlines strategies to improve cooperation between police and private security. Research methods included a literature review; interviews with over 400 people in law enforcement and contractual private security; surveys of 1,600 law enforcement and security managers; a survey of State agencies regulating private security; and a market analysis of the private security industry. Field studies were conducted in two urban counties, Multonomah County (Portland), Oregon, and Baltimore County, Maryland. The report presents an overview of street crime, public fear of crime, and economic crimes found in businesses and institutions. It then describes the resources of proprietary and contractual security operations. Areas covered include guard and patrol services, private investigators, alarm companies, armored transportation, and security consulting. The common operating aspects of contract security are identified, as are characteristics of private security personnel. The market analysis of the industry provides detailed baseline data for each major category of security products and services to support the report's contention that private security is a massive potential resource for community crime prevention and control. The report describes the interaction of public and private security forces in terms of frequency and type of contact, exchange of resources and information, cooperative programs, and impediments to relationships. Two problems of national dimensions are highlighted: police moonlighting in security and problems caused by false alarms. This study also examines strategies for upgrading security operations and personnel and assesses the impact of technology on police-private security relations. A concluding summary of the study's findings includes recommendations and a future research agenda.