NCJ Number
80282
Date Published
Unknown
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales discusses control measures needed to oversee the private security industry in order to protect the public interest.
Abstract
Three types of organizations require some form of control: (1) security companies which operate for hire and reward, (2) organizations which have staff directly employed on security duties, and (3) private investigators and detectives other than store detectives. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has rules and conditions that would appear to cover the supervision that is required. Applicants for membership in BSIA are expected to conform to a code of practices covering such principles as the restriction against offering services that might be regarded as substituting for those provided by existing law enforcement agencies. All security organizations should become members of BSIA. Those organizations failing to comply with BSIA conditions would be subject to loss of membership. An enforcement agency within BSIA to ensure that the public interest is protected should also be established. The alternative to compulsory registration would be a full licensing system, which is considered unjustified in terms of costs and enforcement. In addition, private investigators should be licensed with the Government and subject to its controls. No information from police records should be given to security organizations without 'weighty considerations of public interest.' No references are cited.