Collaboration between private security and the police has huge potential and results in better protection of the public and of organisations, and in an increased capacity to respond to crime, says the latest report from the Security Research Initiative – ‘Optimising Joint Working between the Police and Private Security’. Covered are such varied examples as cooperation over CCTV surveillance; joint patrolling, and arrangements at public events; shared training for emergency response; and enabling access to a site for police exercises.
While the police and private security may have different philosophies, the similarities are striking and need to be brought to the fore, the SRI report states. The spaces protected by private security are places where the public work, live and spend leisure time, largely with minimal police input. Private security also assumes responsibility for protecting critical national infrastructure.
A survey of security people showed that three quarters thought there is a need for strong leadership on joint working, on both sides. Each is difficult to deal with; private security has no identifiable single voice while each police force acts by itself. The statutory regulation of the security sector does not include police input, and police argue that it is difficult to know who to deal with. Concerns can only be solved or ameliorated with good leadership, the SRI suggest.
Comment
Prof Martin Gill who led the research said: ‘Our research indicates that security professionals saw significant value in collaborative working with the police, particularly to better protect the public as well as organisations. There were many examples of joint initiatives which were considered beneficial. However, it was also apparent that much potential was untapped; that there is a general lack of joint working and that partnerships often do not achieve their full potential because of common barriers. Further, security professionals consider themselves to be more enthusiastic about collaborative working than they perceive the police to be. The Policing Vision 2030 sets an objective to collaborate more to prevent crime, and this includes with businesses. What is needed now is strong leadership with a strategy to move collaboration forward.’
The report notes that while joint working for the common goal of reducing crime may seem a statement of the obvious, some police of all ranks have long been sceptical about the private security sector. Interviewees often talked about the value of building relationships – that one form of collaboration often led to further joint working, which assisted the police and private security in their respective roles.
The UK official approach is described by the report as ‘piecemeal’, leading to ‘pockets’ of good practice, such as Pegasus (featured in the July edition of Professional Security magazine; set up between retail chains, the security contractor Mitie and the police to tackle organised retail crime by funding dedicated analysts), and for tackling fraud the creation of a Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Task Force (JMLIT).
About Security Research Initiative
It’s by Prof Martin Gill’s consultancy Perpetuity Research and sponsored by the security sector (buyers and suppliers) and involves an annual study, whether about the physical or cyber world. The reports are freely available to provide a more informed information base about the workings of the security sector. The initiative is supported by UK security associations – ADS, ASIS UK Chapter, BSIA, IFPO UK, IPSA, the Security Institute and the SASIG. Visit https://perpetuityresearch.com/security-research-initiative/.
Photo by Mark Rowe; Euston station response officer, November weekday evening.
