Crime and Protection in America - A Study of Private Security and Law Enforcement Resources and Relationships - Executive Summary

• NCJ Number: 97257
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 75 pages
• Grant Number(s): 80-IJ-CX-0080
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This is the executive summary of a 30-month descriptive research project, begun in 1980, that developed strategies and recommendations for the more effective use of the extensive resources of private security to control and prevent crime. The research focused on the extent of and ways to improve cooperation between law enforcement and private security.

Abstract

Major research components were a literature review, interviews with more than 400 persons in law enforcement and private security, questionnaires addressed to 1,600 law enforcement and security managers, a survey of State agencies regulating private security, an economic analysis of the private security industry, and field studies in two urban counties. Specific issues addressed were (1) the respective roles, functions, and contributions of private security and public law enforcement to crime prevention and control; (2) the expectations and perceptions of private security and law enforcement personnel regarding their own and each other's work; (3) the extent of communication and cooperation between private security and law enforcement; (4) the degree of competition and conflict between private security and law enforcement; (5) the respective characteristics and standards of the workforce and technological resources of private security and law enforcement; and (6) the nature, extent, and growth of private security markets in the United States. Recommendations are intended to improve cooperation between public police and private police in community crime prevention and addressing crimes against businesses. Table and figures are included. For the full report, see NCJ 93660.