Effectiveness and Extent of the Convergence between Public and Private Security over the Next Decade - Research Paper Example

 Effectiveness and Extent of the Convergence between Public and Private Security Over the Next Introduction Public security includes the different security arms of the government which act on behalf of the government and the public to enforce laws, maintain law and order, restore peace, identify crime and terrorism, combat crime and terrorism, help victims of crime and terrorism, respond to emergencies, and prosecute offenders. Public policing, public law enforcement, and public security in general help the public through community support and programmes such as crime prevention, emergency programs and drug awareness. On the other hand, private security involves helping private firms and individuals to identify crime and other insecurity problems and report them to the government officials for law enforcement. Private security officers offer private risk management consultancies, implement security approaches to protect private property against theft and fire, and also investigate frauds in private companies. There are various private security companies which carry out those security functions mentioned above. The public and private securities have recently been seen to converge as they help each other to combat insecurity issues in the society. The success of community security can be achieved through partnership building between the private and public security. Convergence of private and public security enhances identification of opportunities for collaboration in the security sector in order to encourage innovation in problem-solving and decision making; hence making it easier for security personnel to deal with security issues and meet the needs of the society in terms of security. Collaboration between private and public security opens doors for effective problem-solving through technology and innovation. This convergence between the public and private security also enhances advanced community policing and achievement of mutual goals in the private and public sector. Therefore, the convergence between the public and private security is expected to expand and become effective over the next decade due to its benefits to the society. The contemporary issue – convergence of public and private security The convergence between private and public and private security is a contemporary issue in security studies which has become common in many countries worldwide. The convergence between private and public security refers to the collaboration and partnership building between the public and private security personnel. It involves bringing together the activities of private and public security personnel in order to encourage innovation and technological advancement in the security sector. The convergence and collaboration of private and public security is boosted by the fact that pubic security and public security share many goals in common. For instance, both private and public security officials prevent crime, maintain law and order, catching criminals, and promoting the security of people and property in the community. In order to enhance strong partnership between private security officers and public law enforcement officials, it is necessary to understand the roles and responsibilities of both private and public security. Private security spends a lot of money on security as opposed to low spending of the government on security. Therefore, the public security partner with the private security in order to benefit from the security services and products provided by the private security. The convergence concept also reflects the need for the government to get assistance and innovative ways to serve and protect the public from security problems. The public security institutions such as the police, army, navy and other security personnel in a country carry out law enforcement against security threats in the community. However, they are not the only protective forces in countries, cities and towns. The private security is also an important resource engaged in protection and security of public. For instance, security guards are examples of private security who maintain law and order at public events and private establishments. They also protect properties against damage, vandalism and theft and fire. Security guards also provide transport services in order to prevent loss of properties and control access to private venues. Furthermore, private investigators conduct private investigations the same way that government intelligence groups investigate crime and terrorism. Private security guards and investigators can be hired by corporations, individuals, community organisations, entertainment industry and private farms. In terms of training, public security personnel undergo in-depth screening and training so that they will be fit for the job. On the other hand, private security officers only go through background checks and training within a short time. training for public officers is provided by the government in a standardized manner throughout various government training colleges and academies. However, private securities are trained by their employers and other security training companies; hence it is not standardized like the training offered to public security officials. Because public security officials are accountable to the government, they are normally monitored through complaints from the public which are presented in local, provincial, and municipal commissions. The public security personnel can also be prosecuted and litigated through the public (Davidović, 2009). On the other hand, private security officials are accountable to their clients or employers. However, the government should regulate private security industry in order to enhance effective security in the country. Traditionally, government security personnel such as the police have been engaged in protection of public property and spaces while private security maintain law and order and control access to privately operated venues and properties. In this case, the public security personnel act on behalf of the government while the private security personnel act on behalf of their employers. This indicates that the private and public security personnel perform the same functions but serve different institutions. Private security personnel acting on behalf of private property owners have the legal capacity to arrest and detain criminals and terrorists. Public and private security also enhances advanced community policing and achievement of mutual goals in the private and public sector. Therefore, convergence of private and public security can be used to bring together public and private security personnel in order to promote the same goals and achieve the same objectives. Due to the low training requirement and low wages paid to private security personnel, security agents and private security personnel have increased significantly (Davidović, 2009). This has necessitated the collaboration and partnership between the private and public security because the high number of private security officers form a good part of potential resources for security purposes and achievement of security objectives in different countries of the world. Retirees from the public security also join the private security sector and collaborate with the public sector security officials to promote the achievement of public security objectives. These retirees are resourceful to the public security and the private security because they have skills and knowledge of security issues gained through public training and education. The public and private security can collaborate and partner to use these knowledge and skills to achieve common goals. For the benefit of the public sector security, public security officers work together with private security officers through the exchange of resources, innovation and technology (Verdery, 2005). In most cases, the private sector provides technology and innovation for the government to use in implementing its security strategies. The public sector may then offer education and training to the private security officers so that they can gain the required knowledge and skills in dealing with security issues. The private security and public security convergence involves private security officers collaborating with national, city and county security agents to provide security to private property owners and members of the public in general. Discussion from Different Viewpoints The convergence between public and private security over the next decade has several viewpoints. There are those who argue that the effectiveness and extent of the convergence of private and public security will not change significantly over the next decade. There are also those who argue that the issue will be more effective and reach greater extent in the security sector over the next decade. Lastly, other people argue that the effectiveness and extent of the convergence or of public security and private security will decline over the next decade. From these viewpoints, it is possible to identify the overall proposition that makes sense about the effectiveness and extent of this concept over the next ten years. There is a limited research carried out to explain these viewpoints, but various arguments can hint on the position of various researchers, scholars and leaders in the security sector. First Viewpoint Those who support the view that effectiveness and extent of convergence between private and public security will be stronger in the decade rely on the view by Marx (1987) that the main aspect that intertwines public and private security is joint public-private investigations which improve the effectiveness of security outcomes in a country. For instance a reported case of theft can be investigated through the coordination of public police and private police. In this case, private and public security agents may provide personnel and funding for the investigation that is coordinated by both public and private officers. This approach contributes to easy resolution of criminal and civil issues as well as apprehension of criminals and terrorists. As the problems of crime and theft are expected to continue occurring even in the next decade, the extent of convergence between public and private securities is expected to grow. Wakefield (2005) also suggests that both civil and criminal issues are becoming key concerns of both public and private security in the world; hence the coordination between private and public security will be important in dealing with criminal and civil problems of security encountered in the community. Since the police are not concerned with civil issues such as property ownership rights and lease agreements, it has become necessary for the private security to provide their knowledge about civil issues in order to support public security in dealing with the cases. Nowadays, the role and responsibility of private security has been expanded to include the arrest of criminals who violate city, county, state or federal laws just like the police. This enables them to be able to partner and collaborate with public security in their duties to deal with crime. This means that in the next decade convergence between public and private security is expected to expand and become more effective. The importance of private police in protecting private property is also another factor enhancing higher effectiveness and greater extent of convergence between public and private security over the next decade. In the current security environment, the private security has a greater authority over private property than the public security. On the other hand, the public security is concerned with the state, city or county property. Convergence between the public security and private security has therefore been enhanced in order to bring together the two security sections. The private sector shares its knowledge about private property owners while the public security shares its knowledge about city, county and state security affairs. This shared information allows them to collaborate and solve security problems together. Therefore, with this collaboration and information sharing, the convergence between public and private security is expected to grow and become more effective over the next decade. The effectiveness and extent of convergence between private security and public security may improve over the next decade due to future challenges demanding cooperation. There are various trends that may call for the cooperation between public security and private security over the next decade. First, terrorism and homeland security is a major challenge that demands the cooperation between private and public security. Although homeland security is a function of the state security, partnership between private and public securities is essential in enhancing effective homeland security (Ohlhausen Research, Inc, 2004). In this case, the extent of convergence between public and private securities is expected to improve in the next decade as the pressure to counter terrorism and provide effective homeland security increases. The second future challenge that may increase the extent of private-public security convergence is the rise of information age crime. According to Ohlhausen Research, Inc (2004, p.16), computer and high technology crime is expected to increase in future. This will require the collaboration between public security and private security. The private security offers good technology that can be used to counter such crime. One of the benefits of joint partnership is creative problem solving and improved security due to the combination of information provided by the public security and technology provided by the private security. Another challenge demanding the cooperation of private security and public security is business globalization, including private security. Globalization of business is expected to strengthen in the next decade, causing an increased international security threats (Wakefield, 2005). Multinational corporations are likely to be influenced by international security issues. This will in turn require collaboration and partnership between private security and public security internationally. Increased international security operations of different countries also leads to increased cooperation between private and public security officers across borders. This will lead to more effectiveness in the collaboration of private security and public security throughout the world. Second Viewpoint The view that the effectiveness and extent of convergence between public security and private security over the next decade will not change is supported by the fact that the public security personnel are not specially trained for the protection of private property. Ohlhausen Research, Inc (2004) suggests that unless the public police are trained on the protection of private property, private security and public security personnel will not be able to collaborate well; hence convergence between private and public security will not change. A more effective convergence between the public security and public security can be achieved if the public security personnel are properly trained and qualified to handle private security issues. Furthermore, supervision and resource allocation in the public security sector is also required in order to achieve an effective partnership with the private security. Supporters of this view argue that the effectiveness and extent of convergence between public and private security cannot change over the next decade because the public security supervised and equipped adequately to be able to handle private security issues. A better and more cost effective collaboration and partnership between the public security and private security can be achieved through adequate supervision and resource allocation in the public security sector. The effectiveness and convergence of public security and private security may not also change over the next decade due to information-sharing difficulties (Ohlhausen Research, Inc, 2004). In this case, information sharing between public and private security may be restricted by a number of reasons. First, companies are not willing to provide information about their businesses to the public security officers so that they do not enter public records for strategic reasons. This makes it difficult for the private security and public security to collaborate on security matters. Secondly, private cyber crime reporters may be reluctant to collaborate with public security personnel because the public security may seize their clients’ corporate records. This causes lack of cooperation; hence making the convergence between public security and private security to become difficult. Thirdly, effectiveness and extent convergence of public security and private security over the next decade may not improve because private companies are still unwilling to provide sufficient information in private-public security meetings due to the fact that competitors could find out their problems. Furthermore, information provided by private companies during such meetings may be made public by public request. If the companies provide inappropriate information during such meetings, they may also be charged for antitrust violations (Verdery, 2005). These information sharing difficulties make the convergence between public security and private security to remain ineffective. The fourth cause of information sharing difficulties in private-public security collaboration is the fear of public security agents to share public security information with foreign companies. For the security of a country, the public security officers may not be willing to disclose information to private companies from other countries because the information may be leaked and used against the country’s security. Criminal histories and other security information required by private security may not be provided by the public law enforcement officers due to legal requirements. This limits collaboration, partnership and convergence between public and private security over the next decade. The Third Viewpoint The third viewpoint of the contemporary issue being addressed here is that the effectiveness and extent of convergence between private security and public security is likely to decrease over the next decade. Proponents and supporters of this view argue that the increasing globalization and internationalization of security issues such as terrorism may cause confusion between the roles of private and public security sectors; hence reducing the levels of cooperation, collaboration and partnership between the two security groups (Verdery, 2005). Globalization of business may also cause decreased effectiveness of convergence between private security and public security. In the next decade, multinational companies are expected to increase their participation in global business; hence increasing the need for private security, and confusion between private and public security sectors arises (Friedman, 2006). For instance, increased competition between multinational firms may lead the firms to maintain their private information; hence they may not be willing to give information to public security personnel about their companies. This reduces the effectiveness of collaboration and partnership between private and public security agents. Applicability to the security profession Security profession concerns with issues dealing with security threats and how to combat them. Some of the security threats that the security profession attempts to combat include cyber crime, normal crime, theft, fire and terrorism. The issue of convergence between private security and public security applies to the security profession because it explains how the public security and private security can work together to deal with security threats. The role of the security profession is to identify mechanisms of reducing or eliminating security threats such as crime and terrorism (Davidović, 2009). This can be achieved if the effectiveness and extent of convergence between public security and private security are improved. Therefore, understanding how this contemporary issue is likely to be in the next decade is important in the security profession. This contemporary issue is also important in learning issues of modern policing and collaboration between public security and private security, and how these are likely to change in the next decade. The security profession is concerned with the dynamics of security issues so that security agents may adapt to changing security issues. In this case, the effectiveness and extent of convergence between private security and public security over the next decade will help the security profession to identify and respond to the changing security issues effectively. For instance, if the effectiveness and extent of convergence between private security and public security is likely to increase over the next decade, the security profession is likely to identify mechanisms of strengthening it; but if it is likely to decrease, then the security profession will look for ways to increase it. Summary The convergence between private security and public security is a contemporary issue that has been embraced throughout the world in order to enhance innovation and technological advancement in security sectors across the world. The first viewpoint about the effectiveness and convergence between public security and private security argues that the effectiveness and extent of the convergence of private and public security will not change significantly over the next decade. There are also those who argue that the issue will be more effective and reach greater extent in the security sector over the next decade. Other people argue that the effectiveness and extent of the convergence or of public security and private security will decline over the next decade. All these viewpoints have an impact on the security profession by showing the dynamics and effects of those dynamics in the security sector so that security agents will know how to respond appropriately to those changes in the security sector through partnership and collaboration between private security and public security over the next decade. References list Davidović, D. (2009). Public - private security sector partnership in Serbia: Problems and future development. Varstvoslovje, 2, 345-351. Friedman, I. (2006). Where Public and Private Spaces Converge: Discriminatory Media Access to Government Information. Fordham Law Review, 75(1), 253-406. Marx, G.T. (1987). “The Interweaving Of Public And Private Police Undercover Work” In Shearing, C. and Stenning, P. Private Policing. Sage Publications. Ohlhausen Research, Inc. (2004). National Policy Summit: Building Private Security /Public Policing Partnerships to Prevent and Respond to Terrorism and Public Disorder. Policy Paper, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice. Verdery, C. S. (2005). How to make security work: Public-private partnerships. Marine Log, 110(3), 28-29. Wakefield, A. (2005). The Public Surveillance Functions of Private Security. Surveillance and Society, 2(4), 529-545. Read More