Homework Responses Wk 1
Hello Dr. Aguiar and Classmates,
For this week’s forum we were asked to identify three specific research topics and examine their viability as a capstone project. For my three topics I decided to spread the options across the private and public security industry.
TOPIC 1: The positive and negative effectives of the implementation of CPTED at public schools.
For this topic, I feel it is a viable subject for security management, primarily for the reason of how vulnerable our nation’s schools have become. CPTED is a vital part of deterrence, and when it pertains to schools, it is an essential way to camouflage “protection measures.” The capstone project would answer questions of why CPTED is necessary for a post 9-11 environment. One of the negative factors I would highlight is how CPTED makes the learning environment less “welcoming” or “child friendly.” For the analytical aspect, I would use the data collected for the Department of Education and Department of Homeland Security. In previous research that I have done, I have found many studies that show indisputable evidence on why public school CPTED is beneficial. For example, CPTED improves deterrence, denies unauthorized entry, and improves the overall emergency services response time. Furthermore, I would compare case studies from Columbine High School and schools that have successful emergency responses.
SOURCES:
Vagi, K. J., Stevens, M. R., Simon, T. R., Basile, K. C., Carter, S. P., & Carter, S. L. (2018). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) characteristics associated with violence and safety in middle schools. Journal of school health, 88(4), 296-305.
Wenzel, R. L. (2007). CPTED: Interpreting contemporary security practices in the era of homeland security. The University of Texas at Arlington.
TOPIC 2: The essential need for U.S. maritime port security and the importance of compatibility between private/government security functions.
After the 9-11 terrorist attacks, the United States shifted gear into focusing on securing the port of maritime entry. This topic would highlight the importance of vigorous upgrades of screening, logging, and validating cargo. An NPR.org source states that there are 15 major maritime ports located around the United States. The economic function of the United States relies heavily on the security of these ports, and each port has a unique, comprehensive security plan (CSP). Research shows the United States Coast Guard is the primary security function within the waterways of the ports, and contracted security operation conducts the screening of cargo. This is a viable capstone topic because it will show how Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and integrated defense procedures detect harmful cargo entering the United States. Furthermore, I would compare ports like the Port of Houston versus security at the Port of Los Angeles.
SOURCES:
Bueger, C. (2015). What is maritime security?. Marine Policy, 53, 159-164.
Stockbruegger, J. (2021). US Strategy and the Rise of Private Maritime Security. Security Studies.
Downs, B. (2007). The maritime security risk analysis model: Applying the latest risk assessment techniques to maritime security. Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council, 64(1).
TOPIC 3: The required need for adequate training from private security professionals and how integrated training with law enforcement would advance security.
The downward trend of the number of law enforcement officers compared to the increase of emergency response requires private security professionals to become more versed in their skillset. This topic would outline the need for adequately trained security professionals and why private companies hire additional security resources. Research shows when a law enforcement officer is well trained, the probability of a mishap reduces drastically. Security professionals must meet the same requirements as an LEO in order to ensure their security function is relevant. For example, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) teaches tactics and concepts vital in being a qualified security professional/LEO. Because of the limited amount of LEOs, security professionals are contracted as supplement functions. The growing need for companies to outsource protection help protects their assets. For example, Allied Universal is the largest employed private security organization in the United States. Allied Universal helps protect the large corporate campus and enforces policies within their contracts. It is paramount for private security professionals to be trained to the same standard as a law enforcement officer.
SOURCES:
Nalla, M. K., & Crichlow, V. J. (2017). Have the standards for private security guards become more stringent in the post 9/11 era? An assessment of security guard regulations in the US from 1982 to 2010. Security Journal, 30(2), 523-537.
Stiernstedt, P., Button, M., Prenzler, T., & Sarre, R. (2021). The ‘three-pillars model of regulation’: a fusion of governance models for private security. Security Journal, 34(2), 247-260.
Yu, H. H. (2018). Gender and public agency hiring: An exploratory analysis of recruitment practices in federal law enforcement. Public Personnel Management, 47(3), 247-264.