Research - Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (ASIAL)

Research

Private Security and Public Interest - Exploring private security trends and directions for reform in the new era of plural policing

In August 2006 Professor Rick Sarre, from the University of South Australia's Centre for Regulation and Market Analysis and Professor Tim Prenzler from Griffith University's Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, received an Australian Research Council (ARC) grant to undertake research into the private security industry and its relationship with policing generally. The work was conducted over three years (2007-2009), with Karen Earle as research associate. The final report was checked and prepared in 2010 and published in April 2011.

Professors Sarre and Prenzler, with the support of the Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) and its CEO Bryan de Caires, explored the expansion of the policing and security roles undertaken by the private sector in Australia. Their research assessed the growth and impact of the sector and evaluated current regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, their research identified and assessed partnership arrangements with the public sector, reviewed legal issues and analysed security officer occupational and public safety.

Their research now provides an update on the expansion of the security industry in Australia, along with options for improving private security regulation; improving safety for private security personnel and the public; clearer legal protection for security personnel; and advice on preferred models for private / public policing relationships.

You can access a pdf version of the April 2011 report HERE.

Comments on the report are welcome. Please send them to rick.sarre@unisa.edu.au

Download the research paper

OVERVIEW

“Private Security and Public Interest” is a joint research project between ASIAL and researchers at the University of South Australia and Griffith University. ASIAL provides a modest cash input along with administrative assistance and advice. The bulk of the funds are provided by the Federal Government’s Australian Research Council (Project LP0669518).

The two main aims of the project are to:
(1) provide key data to assist industry associations and federal, state and territory governments in policy development related to the industry and
(2) to facilitate effective crime prevention partnerships between governments and private security.

The project began in 2007 and all studies are expected to be completed in 2010.

Project personnel are:

- Bryan de Caires

- Professor Rick Sarre

- Professor Tim Prenzler

- Karen Earle

The project covers five topics organised around the following questions:

1. What are the growth patterns and dimensions of security industries in Australia?

2. What are the current and preferred models of private security regulation?

3. What are the current relationships between public and private policing and what are the preferred partnerships that should be developed?

4. What are the legal powers and responsibilities of private personnel and how should those powers be better legislated?

5. How best can policies and laws be developed to ensure security officer and public safety?

1. What are the growth patterns and dimensions of security industries in Australia?

Study one of the project examines the development of the Australian security industry across a number of key indicators, such as personnel, business size and financial turnover. The study shows an historical picture of the relative size, growth and scope of the private, and related public, arms of law enforcement and crime prevention services. The 1996 -2006 census data, has been analysed, together with Australian Bureau of Statistics Business data and current and historical licensing data from regulatory agencies, to develop an enlarged, up-to-date, assessment of the size and components of the industry as well as long term trends.

2. What are the current and preferred models of private security regulation?

This study describes the current regulatory systems and explores preferred models of regulation for the industry. The fact that under existing systems there has been reoccurring malpractice in the industry indicates that the regulatory regimes have been in need of reform. Regulation has been characterised by a patchwork of standards and terminology across the eight jurisdictions. Furthermore there are concerns about the extent to which criminal history checks are truly national, and concerns have persisted about pre-entry training standards. This study uses interviews, surveys and legislative analysis to examine the issue of what works best in industry regulation.

3. What are the current relationships between public and private policing and what are the preferred partnerships that should be developed?

The purpose of this component of the project is to explore and evaluate the nexus between public and private policing – for instance, the perception of an emerging ‘dual’ justice system – through a series of case studies designed to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of current models (around existing protocols) of cooperation. Potential cases studied include:

• Routine security at major sporting events (MCG and Adelaide Oval)
• Strike force Piccadilly – ATM ram raids
• Project Griffin – SAPol
• Airport Security / Qantas
• Ipswich Mall CCTV partnership
• Centrelink outsourcing of surveillance
• Market City Sydney

4. What are the legal powers and responsibilities of private personnel and how should those powers be better legislated?

The purpose of this study is to examine the legal powers, protections and immunities of private security providers in the light of possible inadequacies or ambiguities in the law. The law of private security is not easy to discover, and much of the law that applies in this area is never tested in the courts (for example, an assault claim that is settled quietly with a confidential financial settlement). To find the law, we often have to look at circumstances and disciplines unrelated to private policing. The law of private security emanates from a range of sources usually unrelated to security personnel, and, in many instances, the principles of law often touted as being applicable to private forms of policing have not been tried in that legal setting. There are many aspects of the law relating to protection of property, reasonable force and surveillance devices which are unsatisfactory and confusing for security providers. This research identifies the unsatisfactory aspects of common law and legislation with a view to making recommendations for reform policy and a national research agenda.

5. How best can policies and laws be developed to ensure security officer and public safety?

The purpose of this study is to enhance the safety of both security operatives and third parties affected by private security work. Assaults by security officers and ineffective patron protection are major problems, but security officers themselves suffer significantly from assaults and are in the top three groups for occupational murder (along with police and taxi drivers). There is virtually no research on this aspect of private policing in Australia at present. A scoping study will identify databases likely to contain useful information relevant to the study. Data will be analysed to identify ways in which safety can be enhanced and workplace conflict reduced. For example, issues around firearms use, training and storage will be a focus of research attention as they are typically associated with workplace harm.

Project Publications and Presentations To-date

Previous Publications and Presentations by the Project Team on the Theme of Private Security Generally

More about ASIAL