Powers and limits of private security versus law enforcement

PRIVATE SECURITY vs. LAW ENFORCEMENT

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Private Security

Law Enforcement

Visual and physical baggage search

Private security has powers to search any baggage within their assigned building or premises.

Law enforcement officers can search any suspected person at any premises or building even at private residence.

Individual pat-down search

Private security officers have powers to pat-down any individual within their assigned premises.

Law enforcement officers can pat-down any individual at any moment within any premises.

Detain individuals

Security officers have power to detain and apprehend suspects that are non-violent for example, shoplifters.

Law enforcement officers have powers to serve warrants and make legal arrests.

Question persons

Security officers have powers to question any person within their premises. The person being questioned has Weingarten rights and the questioning must go according to the rules set by the management of the premises.

Law enforcement officers have powers to question any person at any place.

Arrest persons

Security officers can apprehend and detain any suspect in their premises but cannot make legal arrests.

Law enforcement officers can serve warrants and make legal arrests.

Investigate background of person

Security officers have no powers to investigate the background of a suspect person.

Law enforcement officers can investigate the background of the suspect.

Obtain a warrant for further searches (car, home, so forth)

Security officers do not have power to obtain warrants for future searches.

Law enforcement officers can obtain warrants for future searches.

Seize weapon if found

Security officers can seize weapons if found within their assigned premises but must hand them in to law enforcement officers.

Law enforcement officers can seize weapons found within any premises.

Executive summary

Security officers have been known to provide assistance to law enforcement officers in managing the security at the premises which they are assigned. In the scenario of a college football game, the private security officers will provide several services to the college which is the premises to which they are assigned. The primary role of the private security officers is to detect, deter, observe and report any incidences at the stadium. First, they will be in charge of checking the bags belonging to all persons willing to enter the football field to make sure there are no weapons carried into the field or other items that are prohibited. Secondly, the security officers will need to coordinate and monitor the events and communications taking place in the stadium to ensure that key operations are running smoothly such as access to control posts, access to medical support staff and other services such as amenities provided to the crowd Ortmeier, 2009()

The private security officers will also be in charge of providing the crowd and other people gathered with necessary information such as sitting arrangement, location of amenities such as foods and toilets, and regulations they need to follow. They are also in charge of access control which means that they ensure that each person is seated at their designated area and that there is no unauthorized entry by unauthorized personnel Hess & Orthmann, 2007()

The private security officers also have a role to deter crime from taking place at the stadium. This means that the security officers need to be constantly on the lookout for any activity that may lead to a crime. At the pay points for various services, the private security officers will provide protection for the money being collected and as it is transferred. The private security officers also need to check the crowd to ensure there is no damage to property in the football stadium by the crowd Ortmeier, 2009()

The security officers may also be called on to respond to certain minor emergencies such as a person or child who is lost, lockouts, and other small health emergencies such as faints, first aid, CPR, etc. The private security officer needs to call on the emergency health personnel in more specialized situations Dempsey, 2010()