Abstract
Over the last one and a half centuries the police have played a major role in assisting societies to protect themselves and their resources from harm. However, increased demands for protection and financial constraints of governments have created an environment in which private agencies are taking a larger role in the provision of protection. This Trends and Issues provides a useful summary of the changing status of these two groups, and canvasses some of the problems associated with this complex issue. As we head towards the twenty-first century, it is essential that these important matters are widely debated. This paper is a significant contribution to that discussion.