Homework Responses Wk 4

Good afternoon class,

This week we looked at the relationship of private security and law enforcement.

The role and responsibility of private security is to primarily be a deterrent. The simple presence of a security officer can reduce the likelihood of crimes. When a crime does occur, often the security officer is the first responder. In this situation it is up to the security to maintain a safe scene, identify and isolate witnesses, perform crowd control measures and depending on training and needs, assist the injured. Security officers first objective is to ensure the well-being of the client or site where posted. That could include securing merchandise, protecting employees, buildings or information. Security officers are not responsible for eliminating an armed hostile threat, they are responsible for preserving the lives of themselves and others surrounding them.

When it comes to law enforcement, they are trained to eliminate hostile threats. When law enforcement enters a scene where the security has identified a suspect and separated witnesses, the law enforcement agency will often take over the scene as they can conduct official investigations. Depending on the laws around private security in any given region, it is a general idea that security officers are not authorized to conduct intensive interviews or search individuals. Law enforcement is able to recite Miranda rights and make official arrests while security can only make a citizen arrest.

 

Security officers can be liable in their actions if they are performing criminal activity, working against their agency policies or client policies. This includes negligent performance of their duties, wrongful or unauthorized use of force and many other questionable activities. If a security officer used force to handle a situation that posed no threat to his or her life or the life of those around the situation, their agency may not be able to defend their actions, putting the officer as the liable party. Some private security agencies will not stand behind their officers when they use force, even if the force is relatively justified.

 

Regards,

Jessie

 

References

Nemeth, C. (2011). Private security and the law. Elsevier Science & Technology.