Criminology Research Council grant ; (3/81)
The research associated with this report attempted to achieve a broad review of private security in Australia, its breadth, its insinuation in this society and its strengths and weaknesses. To achieve these goals questionnaires were used to obtain information from the private security industry in every Australian state. The response rates were acceptable and probably about what can be expected from such a survey.
The definition of private security was a vital element in this research because it became obvious that private security in Australia should be broadly broken into two areas: the 'in-house security industry' and the 'contract security industry'. it was the latter part of the industry that the research pursued.
Matters such as the relationships between the police and private security and the philosophical differences between the two have been addressed by the report. Real problems which exist in this relatively embryonic industry are identified. These are the possibilities of corruption in the industry, ineffectual usage of the industry and weapons handling. All of these matters are serious for the community and they are flagged for closer consideration.
The report reviews the laws and regulations current in respect of private security and has some critical comments to make about 'conventional wisdoms' the industry and perhaps the community hold about private security and the law. The security industry 'representative' organisations are looked at closely and the report suggests they are more concerned with form than substance.
It has been suggested that the private security industry is the source of personnel for industrial espionage, the increasing usage of 'bugging' as a means of gathering data and perhaps more sinisterly the infiltration of unions by certain politically based organisations. The report comments on all of these matters and gives examples of the nature and type of incidents which typify these problems. Sample responses to the questionnaire circulation are included in the report and while these are limited they give clear indications and trends and unquestionably indicate the need for education and standardisation within the private security industry.
Other recent reports, notably the 1984 Victorian Government Report of the Working Party to Review the operations of the Private Agents Act 1966, are considered in this report. The views of most Australian State police forces have also been obtained in respect of 'Private Security in Australia' and these are considered against other findings.
The report suggests overall that private security has considerable positive potential for the community but it is drifting into a situation, influenced by factors which are symptomatic of community deficiencies. The report has identified some alarming aspects of the private security industry as a whole but its message finally is that more research and action is needed now.