NCJ Number
40543
Date Published
1976
Length
618 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR UPGRADING THE PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, INTERAGENCY COOPERATION, AND REGULATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY.
Abstract
IN THE MIDST OF THIS NATION'S HIGH PRIORITY STRUGGLE TO PREVENT AND REDUCE CRIME, A MASSIVE RESOURCE EXISTS FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND REDUCTION THAT HOLDS PROMISE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE TO THE TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. THAT RESOURCE IS THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY. THIS REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS REPRESENTS THE FIRST NATIONAL EFFORT TO SET REALISTIC AND VIABLE STANDARDS AND GOALS DESIGNED FOR THE OBJECTIVE OF MAXIMIZING THE ABILITY, COMPETENCY, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY FOR ITS ROLE IN THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF CRIME. ALL OF THE STANDARDS AND GOALS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT CAN ASSIST IN REACHING THIS OBJECTIVE, BUT CERTAIN AREAS NOTED IN THIS REPORT REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION. THESE INCLUDE GOVERNMENT LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY; INCORPORATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES IN BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION; IMPROVEMENT OF PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY SALARIES TO REFLECT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRIVATE SECURITY; UPGRADING OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL; IMPROVEMENT OF ALARM SYSTEMS TO DECREASE FALSE ALARMS; INCLUSION OF PRIVATE SECURITY INPUT IN GOVERNMENT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT; AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS OF POLICE AND PRIVATE SECURITY. THE STANDARDS AND GOALS ARE AIMED AT INCREASING THE CRIME PREVENTION BENEFITS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY, BOTH TO ITS CLIENTS AND TO THE PUBLIC. WHILE LEAA PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF THIS REPORT, THE RECOMMENDATIONS PRESENTED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF LEAA, AND THEIR ACCEPTANCE IS NOT MANDATED BY LEAA. HOWEVER, LEAA DOES ENCOURAGE EACH STATE AND LOCALITY TO EVALUATE ITS PRESENT STATUS IN LIGHT OF THE REPORT AND TO DEVELOP STANDARDS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE MAJOR SECTIONS. PART ONE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH THE SETTING FOR THE STANDARDS AND GOALS THAT FOLLOW. THE REMAINING PARTS OF THE REPORT ADDRESS SPECIFIC TOPICS AND CONTAIN THE STANDARDS AND GOALS DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECURITY TASK FORCE. THESE TOPICS INCLUDE PERSONNEL ISSUES SUCH AS SELECTION, TRAINING, AND ETHICS; STANDARDS AND GOALS ON THE USE OF ALARM SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY; THE RELATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSUMERS, AND HIGHER EDUCATION; AND LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL. ELEVEN APPENDIXES ARE ALSO INCLUDED, CONTAINING RESEARCH FINDINGS OF STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE PRIVATE SECURITY TASK FORCE AND MODEL STATUTES DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)