WaPo: Private "police" expand jurisdictions

[Manedwolf]

Wealthy individuals, whether singly or in groups, purchase the same thing, a guy with a gun. Same as you, but you are that guy, in your case.

Okay, then go out and buy a full-auto MP5 and carry it concealed under your coat.

What, you're not allowed to do that, or it'd cost a lot in government paperwork? You don't say...

 

[Dravur]

Yep...

I cannot do that, although at one time, I did have an MP5, but that does not change the facts that you do what you can under the laws at that time. I can and do have a CCW and carry a pistol. Rosie O'donnell may have a really butch girl following her around with an MP5 under her coat. I dont know. But that is the law. If her security force has been granted that under the law, then that is what we can do.

It in no way excuses the government for having silly laws like this in the first place, but it just says that we all do what we can under the law.

If all guns were outlawed for everyone but the wealthy security forces, would you still carry a knife? We can work for changes of the law, but until that changes, we do what we can and the fact remains, you do what you can with what you have.

 

[NoPhilly]

The only officers I will acknowledge on public property are city/state/federal police.

If a security guard tried to stop me on a public street, well, let's just say I'm not stopping.

What happens when the impersonators catch on?

 

[ProguninTN]

S.P.E.C.T.R.E.

Well, I think there are two separate arguments here. First, I DO think that privatized but heaviliy scrutinized police forces are fine, and would be held to a higher standard than government run forces.

However, private security officers should never have any jurisdiction beyond their employer's property. EVER. Private security officers are observers first and foremost. They just don't get enough training to effectively handle citizens' arrest, use of firearms, etc. I know...I was a contract security officer for 4 years.

I also know the type of people that this line of work attracts. Mostly, it's lazy people who don't mind the low pay as long as they get the quiet accounts. The others were gung-ho police wannabes who were either too stupid to get hired as a cop or loo lazy. You DON'T want these people stepping foot onto public property while on duty.

I agree that there are some bad ones, and some good ones. As I am also in the Security Business. However, my gripe is not about not getting quiet posts, but being forced to work some dangerous posts with no weapons despite the fact I have an Armed Security License. Hopefully, I will get a better job in the near future.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

pinkertons

were an early form of this

not a good beginning if i remember right they did quite a few ugly things amongst them blowing up the james brothers moms house, took moms arm off and killed a kid. the factories used em against strikers too

 

[big44]

I don't like it period. I'm not anti police. In fact, I was in law enforcement for 10 years. All these private police forces are just another place for bad cops to go that can't cut it with a government agency.

I don't have a problem with private police forces, such as hospitals and such. But their law enforcement powers should be limited to their own property.

 

[carebear]

From Grosse Point Blank

MARTIN
So when are you authorized to use deadly
force?

TERRY (a SOUTHTEC GUARD)
Well, a 'course, taxes provide your basic
service-- police and whatnot. But our
customers need a little more than just
that, you understand? This badge doesn't
mean that I am a peace officer.

MARTIN
So it's not a meaningful symbol, or
anything. That badge is just the badge of
your company. If I look suspicious on
your customers' property-- well, under
those heightened circumstances you have
the authority to, ah.... To shoot me.

SOUTHTEC GUARD
To shoot you. Correct.

MARTIN
How did you get this job?

SOUTHTEC GUARD
Well, they were hiring, and it was only a
two week course....

MARTIN
(pleasantly)
Wow.

 

[txgho1911]

Ah so this is not about "Ravenwood" hiring?

 

[xm15]

I don't usually post here, but I feel the need to respond to this thread for some reason...

First off, two of the examples used in the original article are completely different from what most people think of when the phrase "private security" is mentioned.

As others said, the NC Company Police have to go through all the same training and certifcation as any other LEO in that state. The other example was Wackenhut's Tri-Rail officers in South Florida. They are all prior LE, and work for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, a semi-govermental agency.

Just like a lot of other things in life, there are many different types of folks involved in private sector security. From the bottom of the barrel, to those making six figure salaries.

If you ask me, private companies and communities hiring their own security only benefits all of us. I would rather my taxpayer dollars go to pay for the cop working in the high crime area, not patrolling some gated community of million dollar homes. If you think about it, those people paying for private security are also paying plenty of tax for general police protection, which for the most part they do not use much of due to their own security force.

And, other than certain rare exceptions, private security has no arrest powers beyond that of any other private citizen. If a state chooses to grant special exceptions under certain circumstances, and you don't like, contact your legislators to change the law. Don't make silly, false bravado comments, about how you'd never submit to a security officer's authority under any circumstances. If he has the lawful authority to do what he is doing, chances are you are the bad guy...