Regulating Private Security Companies (original) (raw)

The Private Security Industry in International Perspective

European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 1999

The purpose of this article is to describe, from an international perspective, the state of the art of the private security industry. Typical in any discussion of the industry is the lack, or non-existence, of reliable facts and figures. At the same time, there is a strong demand for this kind of information. This discourse aims to fill this gap by comparing the size of the sector, the turnover, and regulation between European and non-European countries. This article will deal with five major points. First a short description of the private security industry in the Netherlands is given. Secondly, international comparisons are presented to assess the size of the industry with reference to the 15 EU-countries, and 12 non-EU countries. With regard to the latter category, some information on recent developments will be presented. Thirdly, a comparison of the order of magnitude and ranking of manpower between the security industry and the police within and outside the EU is described. Also, some remarks and data on the quality of the industry and police effectiveness will be dealt with. Fourthly, a brief overview is presented on the regulation of the private security industry in the EU. Fifthly, this article rounds off with general conclusions and some perspectives on the future.

Private Security in Practice: Case studies from Southeast Europe

The Volume Private Security in Practice: Case studies from Southeast Europe presents eight case studies that explore the impact that private security has on security, human rights and the democratic order in four Southeast European countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Serbia. Since regulation should not only limit the negative impact but also foster the positive contribution that private security can make, the authors specifically looked at how challenges posed by PSCs could be avoided and how opportunities can be seized. Broadly, the case studies cover four governance challenges: the development of the private security market, particularly in relation to the state’s retreat from its monopoly on security provision (Part 1); the role of private security in the protection of critical infrastructure (Part 2); the state as a client of private security companies and the impact of public procurement processes on the private security market (Part 3); and the success and failure of different policies aimed at improving the professionalism of private security personnel (Part 4). Previous research by the authors demonstrated that these policy issues are important for each of the four target countries. However, it is worth noting that other pressing policy questions regarding private security exist in these countries, and the authors’ choice does not indicate that the topics discussed are necessarily more pertinent or urgent than others.

A Force for Good: Mapping the private security landscape in Southeast Europe

The first publication of the project explores and assesses the origins and current state of the private security sector in each of the target countries, with specific reference to principles of good governance and the protection of human rights. In particular, the authors examine when and how the first private security companies developed and whether and how PSCs, their clients, and other factors such as relevant legislation determined the services private security offer today, and which companies were established/have survived in the market. The studies look into the economic importance of private security especially as a source of employment. They also explore if PSCs are able to provide quality security services by looking at the background and qualifications of managers and employees. A number of important questions are addressed: who are the people who work for PSCs, what is their level of expertise and professionalism and what are their working conditions? How important are (political) relationships for the success of a PSC and do domestic political considerations have an impact on which PSC receives contracts and how well they work? How is quality defined and enforced by both PSCs and their clients, especially public sector clients? Finally, do PSCs and state security providers coordinate, cooperate or compete with each other?

The growth of private security: trends in the European Union

2007

Abstract This paper provides an update of the trend towards greater private provision of policing and security services in the European Union (EU). Although data must be treated with caution, recent figures indicate growth from around 600,000 security employees in 1999 to well over a million today.

The Industry Role in Regulating Private Security Companies (article)

Human Security Bulletin, Vol. 6 Issue 3; Security Privatizaton: Challenges and Opportunities, 2008

Private sector support for military and stability operations is not new, but there is clearly greater public interest in these ‘contingency contractors’ now, as well as legitimate interest in ensuring effective regulation particularly for the evolving role of “Private Security Companies” (PSCs). PSCs are a small subset -- five percent -- of contingency contractors but their prominence and significant security role in post-conflict environments make them the focal point for regulation. Unfortunately, too many proposed regulatory schemes have been based on myths and exaggerations perpetuated by sensationalists, which is why providing legislative bodies with accurate information on PSC operations is essential. The industry has a clear responsibility and the central role in setting industry standards and ensuring self-policing. However, successful regulation must be a partnership including effective governmental oversight and law enforcement combined with educated customers.

Comparing private security regulation in the European Union

Policing and Society, 2016

This paper examines the regulatory systems for the private security industry in the European Union (EU). Building upon other studies to compare regulatory systems it proposes a much more sophisticated approach to assess the quality of regulatory systems using 22 different criteria based on two areas: legislation and societal foundations. From this analysis a maximum of 100 points are possible and the paper is able to rank 26 of the 28 member states of the EU. The league table ranks Belgium and Spain as having the most comprehensive regulatory systems in the EU. The paper then provides analysis of some of the key findings from the league table noting some of the implications. One of the most important of which is the substantial differences between member states and the challenges this poses for an effective single market in the provision of security services.

The Role of Private Security Agency in the 21ST Century

DEFENDOLOGIJA, 2015

The global private security industry has rapidly increased over the past ten years. The dynamics of its development varies from state to state, i.e. it is different in developing countries, countries in transition, countries that are in post-confl ict period and developing countries. For all of them there is one common denominator. The privatization of security happens in cases where the state, as traditional security provider, is unable or unwilling to fulfi l this role. Moreover, taking into consideration cost effectiveness, there is an increase in trend of hiring companies and personnel from external sources and privatization of state security functions. Public-private partnerships in the fi eld of security are one of the most common examples of this phenomenon. Private security is an important area for the realization of human needs and corporate interests within ranges of and the rights guaranteed and conditions of national security. Geopolitical status and diplomatic competing caution us, in addition to clashes of values, low and high intensity confl icts, accompanying demographic disasters and so on, in ever more visible and rugged practice. In all that, private security and a large number of companies that provide security services infringe upon the human rights, go beyond the use of force and technical means. Unlicensed activities enable them to act accordingly in society with no control at the expense of corporate interests in omnipresent corruption as a sort of power between capital, politics and money in the region and a good part of Europe.

The evolution of security industry regulation in the European Union

International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 2016

The European private security sector has grown from a handful of small companies at the end of the Second World War into a multibillion Euro industry with thousands of firms and millions of security staff. In Europe, the demands for security is not just expressed notionally but also officially in The European Agenda on Security stating the European Union (EU) aims to ensure that people live in an area of freedom, security, and justice. This article will begin by exploring the role of private security in society. It will then move on to consider the main phases in the development of private security regulation in Europe. Following on from this, some of the main areas of policy development will be considered, such as European bodies, initiatives, and standards. Finally, the article will explore some of the potential options for the future in better regulating the European private security sector. From a historical perspective, the evolution of private security regulation can be divide...

The Role of Private Security Companies (PSCs) in EU Missions and Operations (2011)

European Parliament - Directorate General for External Policies of the Union, 2011

While the hiring of Private Security Companies (PSCs) such as Blackwater by the United States (US) has been the most widely reported and debated, the European Union (EU) and its member states are increasingly relying on private contractors in multilateral operations. Among others, the EU has employed private security guards to protect the EUPOL headquarters in Afghanistan, to secure the premises of the EULEX mission in Kosovo and to guard the EUPOL mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Due to the growing roles of PSCs in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations, the EU and its member states urgently need to consider the possible impact that armed and unarmed security contractors can have on missions and the achievement of mission objectives. This report demonstrates that potential negative effects range from decreased democratic accountability and governmental control to the perceptions of contractor impunity and insecurity among the civilian populations of host states. There is no catch-all solution to these problems, and for many governments the advantages of hiring private security contractors, such as the ability to fill urgent capability and personnel gaps, cost-efficiency and specialist expertise, outweigh the disadvantages. Given the current financial and personnel constraints in Europe, it is likely that the use of PSCs will further increase. It is therefore imperative to develop appropriate mechanisms to address the possible problems of such use before they occur. This report develops five specific recommendations for EU action that would help address risks associated with the increasing use of Private Military and Security Companies.