The Public Polices Main Role - Essay Example

?Running head:  Public Policing versus Private Security Comparison Paper Public Policing Versus Private Security By Denise Mailey AJS/502 Survey of Justice and Security Instructor Amy Gordon Introduction The crime rate continues to rise as a result of advanced technologies, which influence white-collar crimes, for instance, fraud and computer crimes among others, (Swol, 1999 p34). The public police lack appropriate resources to deal with such crimes, since they have to stick to their budget, and as a result, private security has emerged and is increasing. Private security guards are commonly hired by entrepreneurs to guard the business from theft; in such a scenario, the police are not required, in countries where local mafia is present firms prefer hiring private security, (De Melo & Ofer 1994 p40). Many countries are working hard towards improving the quality of private security for their citizens. For instance, the United States department of defense contracted with the American Society of Industrial Security International (ASIS) to improve the quality of private security provided. ASIS internationals is an organization that deals with security professionals, providing educational programs, which cater for security interests such as ways to achieve advanced and improved security worldwide (ASIS ). This organization sees the need to improve private security of a country in order to cater for all the security needs of citizens. Despite the public police and private security playing a vital role in protecting the society from crimes, these two organizations vary in many ways. This paper will discuss in length the differences and similarities between their roles and their leadership structures. The Differences and Similarities between the Two Roles Differences The public police’s main role is preserving peace, preventing crimes, assisting the crime victims, issuing warrants of arrests, charging, and prosecuting (Swol, 1999, p.34). They can also participate in prosecutions; for instance, in Canada, police are required to carry out the above duties, and therefore responsible for serving and protecting the public. Their powers also include the power to search arrests and detain crime offenders, and lawbreakers (Swol, 1999, p.33). Private security differs from public police in various ways; private security personnel work for specific clients upon hire to protect a person or property. Their duties are determined by a client’s interest; private security protects a client’s property, personnel, and private information of a company from man-made and natural threats (corrections, public safety & policing, 2008, p.6). In addition, the private security firms operate independently; as a result, their trust is earned by the host company (corrections, public safety & policing, 2008, p.6). Another difference is in the time of existence for these two personnel. For instance, in Australia, the existence of private security organization started in the 90s, which has grown since then due to the high demand for private agents (Reynolds, 1996). The public police are more concerned with public security, whilst the private security agents are concerned with the protection of personal and corporate interests. ASIS is a private organization that holds exhibitions, which are driven towards the security of businesses; they have the latest information and solutions that assist worldwide organizations in protecting their personnel, data, and property (ASIS, 2012). Therefore, the private security agencies benefit from, updated mechanisms of promoting security compared to public policing. In addition, private security personnel are normally contacted for a specific duration of time; the contract can be renewed or ended, depending on the client’s decision. In contrast, the public police serve the public continuously. Similarities In some countries like Canada, private security personnel have the same powers of searching property, arresting, and detaining, as the public police (Swol, 1999, p.34). When transporting money to secure destinations, the security guards carry firearms, which apply to the public police as well. In addition, both the public police and the private security personnel aim at promoting peace in a country by protecting its citizens against criminal activities. Therefore, their duties and services are designed to achieve the same goal, hence sharing a positive goal with the criminal justice system. How Does Leadership Differ Between The Two Roles? The law enforcement field consists of different types of agencies, who have different duties and responsibilities. Public police and private security personnel serve as leaders in their specific organizations; therefore, the leadership requirements vary for both sectors. The public police are employed by the government of a country. Leadership within the public police is determined by the level of education and experience. One is promoted from one level to another during the time of his service; the public police who survey one neighborhood to another in search of criminals follow direct order from their leader in the office. According to the guardian (2011), police leaders (commissioners) are elected by the public in the United Kingdom through ballot boxes. Private security agencies are organizations, which compromise of different types of personnel, managers, secretaries, human resources among others; therefore, the employed security personnel report to the manager for orders. The managers act as leaders in the private security organizations, while sergeants and commissioners are leaders in the public police sector. Relationship of Each Role with the Criminal Justice System The main role of the criminal justice system is to fight violators of the law, thereafter prosecuting and punishing violators. The public police play an important role in promoting peace by eliminating criminal activities; they protect human life by tracking down criminals, arresting them and detaining them, and as a result, complying with the criminal justice system, whose aim is to protect the society and provide justice to victims of crime. The private security personnel provide security to their clients in terms of personal or property. By protecting the lives and properties of their client, they eliminate any crime threats; the private security serves the criminal justice system by providing extra mechanisms that uncover criminal activities and deter such activities. The private security officers can be summoned in a court to testify on a certain event; therefore, honesty in the private security agencies is highly encouraged. According to Elsea, et al (2008), the Unite States relied heavily on the private security firms in the provision of security services in Iraq, as they have their own courts and advanced mechanisms. Essential policies The public police sector and the private security firms have policies that influence their activities, for instance, the state of Illinois expects its public police to practice confidentiality while handling the affairs of government (Illinois state police, 2012). The United States firearms policy states that a policeman should only shoot to protect his life or an innocent person’s life, which is a defense policy (US department of justice, 2002). The private security firms are expected to implement management policies, which ensure they operate within the human rights expectation globally, such that, they should take new employees through a thorough vetting process, train its personnel, and take effective measures in any kind of harassment (Humanitarian Practice Network, 2010). This is a global code of conduct expected for global private security firms. Importance of a Comprehensive Security Plan, and its Key Components There is need for implementing a security plan for both the public police and the private security firms. An effective security strategy should be flexible to respond to any level or type of security threat; therefore, developing and implementing such a plan is important in enhancing security of a nation. Security strategies should rhyme with security plan, a comprehensive security plan is not vulnerable to crime, however it responds to threats effectively. Needless to say, an effective security plan will eliminate chances of planned crimes from occurring, as the security level is high. Therefore, residents can live in a free and secure area with minimal worries of security threat, especially when a security plan is in place. Having an already existing plan enables the police to act fast rather than thinking of a plan at the time of a disaster. A comprehensive security plan requires teamwork and integrity; as a result, its implementation is successful. The failure of cooperation from the involved parties can compromise security (Fischer, Halibozek & Green, 2008, p.331). The author further adds that, a well-integrated security plan provides an overall security. Conclusion With the rising levels of crime globally, security is important for any country. Public policing and private security firms are vital in a society. They may be different in their management structure, but they share a common goal, which is to eliminate security threats. Needless say, public police play an important role in fostering peace in the country by tracking, arresting, and detaining lawbreakers. Nevertheless, private security personnel also share the same powers, but they have more advanced mechanisms to deal with crimes and as a result, the government contacts their services regularly. Such collaboration enhances security, as the private security and public police are efficient in number to fight the rising crime rates. References ASIS international. (2012). About ASIS; advancing security worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.asisonline.org/about/history/index.xml Corrections, Public Safety and Policing. (2008). Private investigator and security guard training manual. Retrieved from http://www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca/pisg-manual-07.pdf De Melo, M. & Ofer, G. (1994). Private Service firms in a transitional economy: findings of a survey in St. Petersburg. Issue 11 of Studies of economies in transformation. Washington DC: World Bank Publications. Elsea, J. Et al. (2008). CRS report for congress. Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32419.pdf Fischer, R., Halibozek, E. & Green, G. (2008). Introduction to Security. Eighth Edition. PA: Butterworth-Heinemann Publisher. Humanitarian Practice Network. (2010). The Global Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies: why it matters to humanitarian organizations. Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces. Retrieved from http://www.odihpn.org/humanitarian-exchange-magazine/issue-47/the-global-code-of-conduct-for-private-security-companies-why-it-matters-to-humanitarian-organisations Illinois state police. (2012). privacy policy. Retrieved from http://www.isp.state.il.us/ispprivacy.cfm Reynolds, C. (1996). Private Policing: Creating New Options in Australian Policing: Contemporary Issues. Butterworths Publishers. Retrieved from http://www.global-logic.net/prpol.htm Swal, K. (1999). Private security and public policing. Statistics Canada. Spring publishers. Retrieved from http://ivt.crepuq.qc.ca/popactive/documentation2002_A/1999/pear1999011001s1a05.pdf The guardian. (2011). Preparing for elected police commissioners. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/blog/2011/nov/01/elected-police-commissioners US department of justice. (2002). Police use of excessive force a conciliation handbook for the police and the community. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/crs/pubs/pdexcess.htm#42 Read More