NCJ Number
101315
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 367-390
Date Published
1985
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Open-ended interviews were conducted with 15 security executives and 16 executives with related functions in 16 corporations in southern Ontario (Canada) to determine the organizing principle for private security, concepts of wrongdoing, proactive security practices, and the parameters of corporate private justice.
Abstract
Corporate private security generally bases its authority in the rights of private property owners to protect their property rather than in Criminal Code powers. Wrongdoing is viewed as that which causes or threatens to cause loss to the corporation. Corporate security executives prefer to handle such wrongdoing through their own private procedures rather than refer the case to the police. This enables the corporation to manage the case in the way most likely to produce a favorable outcome for the corporation. Security executives value their power to conduct surveillance and search activities under circumstances not legally permitted to police, given their rights to protect corporate property. Sanctions available to corporations in dealing with employee wrongdoing include discharge, demotion, transfer, pay loss, and suspension. Consumer sanctions include credit loss and loss of access to corporation services or products. Corporate security policy is restricted by the threat of civil liability and the maintenance of a positive public image. 23 references.