NCJ Number
185306
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: March 1998 Pages: 103-110
Editor(s)
Robert D. McCrie
Date Published
March 1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A survey of nightclub managers in Australia was conducted to elicit their views of new security legislation involving the licensing and training of crowd controllers.
Abstract
In 1993, Queensland, Australia, introduced new legislation to regulate the security industry. The Security Providers Act was based on the Private Agents Act of 1990 developed in Victoria. Both acts aimed to improve the conduct and competence of security providers through tougher licensing requirements, including criminal history checks and mandated training. To assess the views of nightclub managers, a mail questionnaire was developed and sent to 64 respondents. Only 21 completed questionnaires were returned, and the small number of questionnaires did not permit statistical analysis. Nonetheless, results showed a positive view of the impact of the legislation in reducing violence by crowd controllers against patrols. Strong support was indicated for greater restrictions on access to licenses and on improved compliance monitoring. There was moderate support for the very limited training regime, and this finding may have been symptomatic of the need for greater cognizance of management responsibility for a fully professional approach to patron protection. Suggestions are offered for educating nightclub managers about the complex causes of violence in licensed premises and the need for higher standards for security staff. An appendix contains the list of questions asked of survey respondents. 7 references and 4 tables