NCJ Number
84088
Date Published
1977
Length
118 pages
Annotation
Written for private security officers (PSO's) working in California, this report examines PSO's professional responsibilities, types of assignments, communication and report writing duties, fire prevention techniques and liability and legal limits, as well as their rights regarding arrest and search and seizure laws.
Abstract
It discusses PSO's personal characteristics, public relations chores, relationships to public police, and ethics. It also examines physical PSO task assignments, such as armed guard, plant guard, door tender, shopping center security guard, and traffic officer. The report emphasizes the importance of good communication skills in written reports, field note taking, radio operation, and telephone techniques. The authors cover fire causes, prevention techniques and measures, fire classification, preplanning fire protection, and first aid. They review PSO's legal limits (i.e., California businesses and professions code, impersonation of a peace officer, etc.), California law relating to PSO's, the constitutional basis for arrest and arrest guidelines and search and seizure laws. The final section covers miscellaneous crimes such as assault, battery, gambling, pimping, weapons, riot, arson, stolen property, and shooting at aircraft. Pertinent laws are cited throughout the text. A brief history of the security profession is included.