Chapter 2 Modern Private Security

What is Private Security? Private security is: A profit oriented business. It provides personnel, equipment and/or procedures to prevent losses caused by human error, emergencies, disasters or criminal actions.

Major Functions Performed by Private Security Officers The primary function is to prevent loss by: (1) gathering information. (2) controlling access to and maintaining order on private property. (3) protecting persons and property against crime and disaster.

Major Functions Performed by Private Security Officers Specific functions: Enforce policies and procedures of security, access and asset control and employee safety. Provide a secure workplace environment. Protect assets and technology of companies. Respond to on-site incidents. Report unsafe or threatening security conditions.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Private security guards-usually in uniform and armed: Control access to private property. Maintain order on premises. Enforce rules and regulations of employer. Protect against loss from fire or equipment failure. Help prevent and/or detect criminal acts on private property.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Private Patrol Officers, similar to public police patrol officers. Protect and patrol private property. Citizens perceive public patrol unable to protect them so they turn to private patrol.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Private Investigators (PI) do some criminal investigation. Law firms use PI’s to assist in preparing for civil and criminal trials. Often do background checks for employers and insurance and credit applications. Often do undercover work to detect employee dishonesty, pilferage or shoplifting.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Armed Couriers are uniformed and armed. They ensure protection of money, documents or people as they are transported from one place to another. Brink’s is the largest armed courier service.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Central Alarm Respondents are part of central alarm services. High number of false alarms cannot be answered by police. Alarm respondents sent to activated alarms. ADT is the largest private central alarm service.

Major Types of Private Security Personnel Consultants whether in-house or outside are brought in to: Assess what types of threats or risks affect assets to be protected. Render opinion on probability of those threats or risks. Recommend a security or loss prevention plan to reduce probability of those threats or risks.

Differences in Proprietary and Contractual Private Security Proprietary services are in-house, directly hired and controlled by company or organization. Contract services are outside firms or individuals who provide security services for a fee. Hybrid services combine the two.

Advantages of Proprietary and Contractual Private Security Loyalty Incentive Knowledge of internal operation Tenure (less turnover) Control stays in-house Supervision stays in house Training geared to specific job Company image improved Morale Courtesy to in-house personnel Better law enforcement liaison Selection controlled Better communication Contract Selectivity Flexibility Replacement of absenteeism Supervision (at no cost) Training at no cost Objectivity Cost (20% less, not counting administrative costs) Quality Administration and budgeting taken care of Little union problems Variety of services and equipment Hiring and screening (at no cost) Better local law enforcement contracts Sharing expertise and knowledge

Disadvantages of Proprietary and Contractual Private Security Unions Familiar with personnel Cost Inflexibility Administrative burdens Contract Turnover (extremely high industrywide) Divided loyalties Moonlighting (may be tired and not alert) Reassignment Screening standards (may be inadequate) Insurance

Regulation of Private Security Regulation of private security industry should be performed at the state level through a regulatory board and staff. Regulation can be achieved by requiring: Licensing of contract services. Registration of all persons specifically performing private security functions.

Regulation of Private Investigators Most states that regulate private investigation businesses require: Licensing of individuals, partnerships and corporations providing private contract investigative services. Most of these states have established a variety of standards to obtain a license.

Regulation of Private Investigators Requirements for a private investigator’s license usually include: State residency. US citizenship. Training and/or work experience as a police officer or investigator. A clean arrest record. The passing of a background investigation. The passing of an oral or written examination.

Certified Protection Professional Certified Protection Professionals (CPP) have been designated by ASIS, the American Society for Industrial Security, for meeting specific criteria of professional protection knowledge and conduct. The CPP has met: Specific experience and educational requirements. Passed a common knowledge exam and an exam in 4 specialty areas.

Certified Protection Professional Exam Areas Mandatory subjects Emergency planning Investigations Legal aspects Personnel security Physical security Protection of sensitive information Security management Substance abuse Loss prevention Liaison Specialty subjects Banking and financial institutions Computer security Credit card security Defense industrial security program Educational institutions security Fire resources management Health care institutions security Manufacturing security Nuclear power security Public utility security Restaurant and lodging security Retail security Transportation and cargo security Oil and gas industrial security Telephone and telecommunications security

Summary Questions What is private security? What are the major functions performed by private security officers? What are the major types of private security personnel? How does proprietary and contractual private security differ? How might private security services be regulated?

Summary Questions How are private investigators/detectives regulated? What are the requirements for becoming a private investigator? What is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP)?