Public and Private Policing (From Themes in Contemporary Policing, P 83-95, 1996, William Saulsbury, Joy Mott, and Tim Newburn, eds. -- See NCJ-166841)

• NCJ Number: 166848
• Author(s): C Shearing
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Independent Cmtte of Inquiry into the Role and Responsibilities of the Police
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper traces the development of private policing in Great Britain and identifies the factors that have contributed to this development.

Abstract

Since a professional state police was created by Sir Robert Peel in the early 19th century, policing has been seen as a service provided by the government to the public. Contemporary developments in community policing and the growth of the market mentality have resulted in policing becoming "ruled at a distance" by the state, with individuals being made responsible for the business of policing. The growth of mass private property used by the public has resulted in corporate entities becoming "private governments" that employ private police to reduce loss. Policing for security by both state and private police has resulted in a shift in emphasis from fighting crime to loss prevention. The growth of private policing means that the state police can no longer dictate the direction of policing or their role in it. Initiatives in multi-tiered policing -- with the state police engaging in partnerships with private police, social agencies, and citizen volunteers -- are being promoted in many countries to increase surveillance in public places to reduce opportunities for crime. A multi-tiered system of policing presents opportunities for restructuring policing that should be explored. The author advises that policy on multi-tiered policing must focus regulatory attention on the mobilization of resources required to provide for security. 28 references