1. Private Security

2. What is "private security"
People hired to guard or keep watch over a 
certain area or object(s)
Can range from well trained and heavily armed...to very little training and 
unarmed.

3. Types of Private Security
Contract Security: Hired to provide security services for people who 
have no security; ex. football games

4. PRIVATE SECURITY DOES NOT HAVE POLICE POWERS OR AUTHORITY!!!!
Proprietary Security
Provides security services for an agency that 
employs them; company security.
PRIVATE SECURITY DOES NOT HAVE POLICE POWERS OR AUTHORITY!!!!

5. Jobs of Private Security: What does private security do???
Protecting stores from shoplifting
Patrolling parking lots
Protecting public buildings
Screening people for contraband
Guarding exhibits in museums
Crowd control and parking at events
Order at bars and clubs
Protecting money in armored cars
Watching over casinos

6. There are about twice as many private security personal as there 
are public law enforcement officers.
Reasons why...
1. Less Money
Governments have been less willing to fund police 
departments in past 30 years.
Police Officer
$49,000
Private Security
$29,000
Police departments have stopped doing "non-
essential" jobs b/c of money.
Businesses have hired private security to replace the 
services once provided by police

7. 2. Private Nature of Work
Businesses would rather keep their dirty laundry in house
Keeps a positive public image, keeps customers
Private security polices the workplace, and handles in-
house any illegal behavior
3. Fewer Constitutional Limitations
Constitution limits do not apply to private business and 
their security firms
Example: Stadiums have right to refuse entry to someone 
who refuses to allow their bag to be searched for 
"contraband"

8. Take a moment and think about the potential problems private security can bring about.

9. Problem #1: Legal Status and Authority
How much power does private security have???
Answer: As much power as the people who hired them want 
them to have.
In other words, private security has the same right to protect 
property as you and I would have to protect our own.
How is this a potential problem for us?

10. Problem #2: Police Moonlighting
Some police depts allow their officers to work in private 
security jobs during off-duty hours
What problems would this cause?

11. Problem #3: Qualifications and Training
There is no standard qualifications that private security must 
have to hold a job like police
Training for private security is usually a week, as compared to 
months for police

12. Problem #4:Diminished Public Responsibility
The increase in private security brings to light a serious issue
Is it better for our safety to be in the hands of private 
security or in the hands of public police?

13. Problem #5: Private Security and Terrorism
Most of the potential targets for a terrorist attack are being 
guarded everyday by private security
Private security guards under go no background checks
Most are unmotivated to do an exceptional job