Private policing: The major issues

Growth in crime rates and the fear that has accompanied it have created an environment in which the private security industry has been able to expand exponentially. Though there is a dearth of documented data, it is evident that the industry has become increasingly powerful and yet remains largely unregulated and unaccountable. This chapter will examine the social, economic and political forces that have led to the increase in the private security industry in both its form and extent; analyse the various components of the industry as it operates currently; examine the question of regulatory requirements for both training and accountability; and conclude by looking at issues for the future.