Privatizing the Police: A Brief Look at the Potential Benefits of Market Forces in the Operation of Law Enforcement (original) (raw)
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The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Work: +44 (0) 20 3108 3190 Home: +44 (0) 1947 605830 NOTE: Thanks are due to Gloria Laycock and Aiden Sidebottom, who read and commented on an earlier draft of this article and saved me from several errors. I am grateful also to anonymous reviewers whose suggestions for improvements to the article were invaluable.
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Critically assess the view that there is a significant place for private initiatives in policing
Worldwide, the nature of policing and the way citizens understand and execute justice is changing. Until recently ‘policing’ was synonymous with the activities of the traditional police forces. Nowadays however, the current policing terrain is complex and unclear. There is a contemporary trend towards societies embracing a range of regulatory options in which private initiatives play a role in the enforcement of the law. Many contemporary countries, is experiencing a privatisation of policing functions as the number of private security agencies is expanding. However, some people object to the private sector involvement in policing and they state that the maintenance of law and order is the states responsibility. On the other hand, many others argue that there is a significant place for private initiatives in policing. This essay will try to critically assess this statement.