Security

Security

1. Describe the role of the private security officer in contemporary society.

Ans. The role of a private security officer encapsulates increasingly apparent terms of public and private disciplines. The growth in consultative public-private sector relationships reflects a blurring of the distinction between the categories and their integration through network relations and practices. Private security is used by public authorities (governments) now as well as by private authorities (individuals, firms, organisations). For example, security in public places is increasingly undertaken by private actors, as is seen in the widespread use by governmental authorities of private security firms to guard courthouses, military bases, nuclear power plants and embassies, and in the management and operation of prisons.

The emergence of hybrid policing and security structures that incorporate elements of both public and private also contribute to blurring: joint public-private policing initiatives, governments and other public agents hiring private security firms, and personnel exchanges and flows between public and private bodies, as well as the adoption of corporate management practices and the commercialisation of services by public law enforcement and security agencies, one common result of which is the ability of private interests to hire public police on a fee for service basis. Indeed, there is increasing recognition that the public-private or state-private sector dichotomy is the wrong way to view security more generally today; rather, some observers claim that since there are hybrid forms of policing and security provision, it is more correct to replace the dichotomy between public and private with a continuum. (Abrahamsen, et. al 2006)

2 Explain the distinction between contract private security and proprietary security personnel.

Ans. Many security firms and proprietary security departments practice the "detect, deter, observe and report" methodology. Security officers are not required to make arrests, but have the authority to make a citizen's arrest, or otherwise act as an agent of law enforcement at the request of a police officer, sheriff, and others. (Gouner, et. al 2006)

In addition to the methodology mentioned above, a private security officer's primary duty is the prevention and deterrence of crime. Security personnel enforce company rules and can act to protect lives and property. In fact, they frequently have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. Security officers are often trained to perform arrest and control procedures (including handcuffing and restraints), operate emergency equipment, perform first aid take accurate notes, write detailed reports, and perform other tasks as required by the contractee they are serving.

Many security officers are required to go through additional training mandated by the state for the carrying of weapons such as batons, firearms, and pepper spray (e.g. the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in California has requirements that a license for each item listed must be carried while on duty). [1] Some officers are required to complete police certification for special duties.

Positions are also set to grow in the U.S., with 175,000 new security jobs expected before 2016. [2] In recent years, due to elevated threats of terrorism, most security officers are required to have bomb-threat ...