Private Security

There are few textbooks available that outline the foundation of security principles while reflecting the modern practices of private security as an industry. Private Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice takes a new approach to the subject of private sector security that will be welcome addition to the field. The book focuses on the recent history of the industry and the growing dynamic between private sector security and public safety and law enforcement. Coverage will include history and security theory, but emphasis is on current practice, reflecting the technology-driven, fast-paced, global security environment. Such topics covered include a history of the security industry, security law, risk management, physical security, Human Resources and personnel, investigations, institutional and industry-specific security, crisis and emergency planning, critical infrastructure protection, IT and computer security, and more. Rather than being reduced to single chapter coverage, homeland security and terrorism concepts are referenced throughout the book, as appropriate. Currently, it vital that private security entities work with public sector authorities seamlessly—at the state and federal levels—to share information and understand emerging risks and threats. This modern era of security requires an ongoing, holistic focus on the impact and implications of global terror incidents; as such, the book’s coverage of topics consciously takes this approach throughout. Highlights include: Details the myriad changes in security principles, and the practice of private security, particularly since 9/11 Focuses on both foundational theory but also examines current best practices—providing sample forms, documents, job descriptions, and functions—that security professionals must understand to perform and succeed Outlines the distinct, but growing, roles of private sector security companies versus the expansion of federal and state law enforcement security responsibilities Includes key terms, learning objectives, end of chapter questions, Web exercises, and numerous references—throughout the book—to enhance student learning Presents the full range of career options available for those looking entering the field of private security Includes nearly 400 full-color figures, illustrations, and photographs. Private Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of modern security issues and practices on the market. Professors will appreciate the new, fresh approach, while students get the most "bang for their buck," insofar as the real-world knowledge and tools needed to tackle their career in the ever-growing field of private industry security. An instructor’s manual with Exam questions, lesson plans, and chapter PowerPoint® slides are available upon qualified course adoption.

Based on extensive research in several international contexts, this volume provides a nuanced assessment of the historical evolution of private security and its fluid, contested and mutually constitutive relationship with state agencies, public policing and the criminal justice system. This book provides an overview of the history of private security provision in its multiple forms including detective agencies, insurance companies, moral campaigners, employers’ associations, paramilitary organizations, self-protection and vigilantism. It also explores the historical evolution of private policing and security provision in a diverse set of temporal, national and international contexts and compares the interactions between public and private security bodies, structures, strategies and practices in different countries, cultures and settings. In doing so, the volume fills the existing gaps in historical knowledge about the emergence of private and public security organizations and provides a more robust understanding of changes in the division of responsibility for security provision, law enforcement and punishment between public and private institutions. This wide-ranging volume will be of great interest to scholars and students of history, criminology, sociology, political science, international relations, security studies, surveillance studies, policing, criminal justice and law.

This book’s primary concern is the application of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in addressing the business conduct of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) during armed conflicts, as well as state responsibility for human rights violations and current attempts at international regulation. The book discusses four interconnected themes. First, it differentiates private contractors from mercenaries, presenting an historical overview of private violence. Second, it situates PMSCs’ employees under the legal status of civilian or combatant in accordance with the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949. It then investigates the existing law on state responsibility and what sort of responsibility companies and their employees can face. Finally, the book explores current developments on regulation within the industry, on national, regional and international levels. These themes are connected by the argument that, in order to find gaps in the existing laws, it is necessary to establish what they are, what law is applicable and what further developments are needed.

Although service outsourcing has spread throughout Canada’s prisons and jails, into its police, courts, and national security institutions, and along the border in recent decades, the expanding scope and pace of corporate involvement in criminal justice functions has not yet been closely investigated. Changing of the Guards provides a detailed assessment of privatization and private influence across the twenty-first-century Canadian criminal justice system. It illuminates the many consequences of public–private arrangements for law and policy, transparency, accountability, the administration of justice, equity, and the public. This trenchant analysis raises issues that are relevant in Canada and abroad.

This study presents intriguing analysis of the impact of private security companies' practices upon the fields of security and politics in the Czech Republic. It situates cases concerning ABL, the biggest Czech private security company, in the larger social, political, legal and economic contexts of the booming private security business. This company's extensive linkages with Czech politics suggest that the continued absence of specific legislation for the regulation of private security companies' activities is due to too much, rather than too little, political interest in their activities. This is problematic, arguably, because the practices of private security companies have already contributed to a significant transformation of the Czech security field by enhancing the commodification and depoliticization of security, while ABL's use of security methods for political purposes and a business approach to politics have profoundly transformed the field of politics. Reflecting the growing interest in the privatization of security, this timely study unpacks the relationship between politics, business and security in the Czech Republic.

Law Enforcement, Policing, & Security

Historical foundations of private security -- Regulation, licensing, education, and training: the path to professionalism in the security industry -- The law of arrest, search, and seizure: applications in the private sector -- Civil liability of security personnel -- Criminal liability of security personnel -- The enforcement of laws and the collection, preservation and interpretation of evidence -- Public and private law enforcement: a blueprint for cooperation -- Selected case readings -- Appendix 1. Florida Statutes -- Appendix 2. List of Associations and Groups -- Appendix 3. Sample Forms -- Appendix 4. The Law Enforcement-Private Security Consortium, Operation Partnership: Trends and Practices in Law Enforcement and Private Security Collaborations 119-122 (2005).