NCJ Number
171591
Journal
Crime and Justice International Volume: 13 Issue: 9 Dated: October 1997 Pages: 16-17
Date Published
October 1997
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article examines the need for as well as trends and patterns in public-private security liaison.
Abstract
The cooperative efforts between public and private criminal justice agencies have evolved into a complex myriad of relationships between government and business throughout the world. Many law enforcement agencies lack the time, staff, or the expertise to deal with complex white-collar crimes and computer crimes. Another major factor in this trend is the lack of funding for public-sector law enforcement. Internationally, many countries face similar pressures related to their law enforcement funding and government priorities. U.S. studies show that 70 percent of the annual funding for law enforcement and crime prevention is provided by the private sector, and over 50 percent of the response to crime is provided by private security. Legislative efforts are also underway. Last year in the United States, HR 2996, the Law Enforcement and Industrial Security Cooperation Act of 1996, was introduced in Congress. This bill would create a commission to "encourage cooperation between public-sector law enforcement agencies and private-sector security professionals to control crime." Organized criminal networks operate globally and law enforcement agencies are faced with a huge task in fulfilling their enforcement tasks. Greater cooperation between the public and private sectors will foster more success in crime control and prevention.