Public Policing Versus Private Security Comparison Paper
AJS/502
November 23, 2013
Public Policing Versus Private Security Comparison Paper
An individual seeking employment dealing with police work has the option of either obtaining a job as a private security officer or a police officer. Many similarities and differences exist concerning the two roles of public policing and private security. How private security and police officers operate and work together among the two organizations is different, but both entities display leadership responsibilities. The influences that both organizations have on the criminal justice system would be much better if both entities would ...view middle of the document...
Private security officers often patrol large shopping areas, hospitals, office buildings, and apartment complexes and gated housing communities. Public police officers patrolled the streets of cities, rural areas, and state highways to protect the residents of these communities by deterring crime and enforcing the laws set forth by the criminal justice system. Private security officers can prevent a crime by means of patrolling and observation, but public officers have to act in response to a crime in progress (Larrabee, 2007). Another crucial difference between private security and public officers is public officers have arresting capabilities, whereas private security officers can only detain an individual until public police officers can arrive.
Leadership Roles
The leadership styles between private security and public police officers roles are similar in many ways. Both organizations possess a paramilitary leadership echelon structure. Private security organizations often follow the same leadership echelon structure, but sometimes that structure may differ from company to company (“Blue Streak Technologies”, 2006-2009). The lowest level of rank for private security is an officer and on his or her uniform there is normally no insignia (“Blue Streak Technologies”, 2006-2009). Other personnel in the private security leadership structure will have insignia on his or her uniform. Other leadership roles in private security are as follows: field training officer, corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, assistant deputy chief, senior assistant deputy chief, deputy chief, and chief. Often the owner of the security company or agency is at the top of the hierarchy structure. The leadership echelon structure of public policing may differ from department to department. The rankings structure of many police departments is as follows: chief of police or police commissioner, deputy chief of police or deputy commissioner, commander, deputy inspector, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, detective or inspector, and officer. Within both organizations the lowest person of rank, which is an officer reports to the highest person of rank, which is a chief.
Relationship with Criminal Justice System
Both private security and public policing have significant roles than influence the criminal justice system. Private security and public policing personnel possess the propensity to decrease crime by heavily saturating the areas each patrols with their presence. The two entities have the capability of detaining individuals and investigating and determining criminal activities. Once again, only public police officers have arresting capabilities. The criminal justice system relies on both entities to work together in serving and protecting society. A workable relationship between private security and public policing begins with the sharing of information, technologies, personnel,...