Smart Regulation for the Security Industry

Abstract

This chapter addresses the issue of the best way to regulate security in terms of preventing misconduct and ensuring competency. ln doing this, the chapter takes into account the interests - sometimes divergent, sometimes convergent - of different groups with a stake in the operations of the industry: the owners of security firms, security managers, security staff, security clients, and the genera! public. The chapter reviews a number of general accountability mechanisms that apply to the industry, including criminal and civil law, and commercial and other laws, and self-regulation. The limits of these mechanisms are outlined. They underscore the need for an industry-specific government licensing system. A model system is then advocated, based on the concept of 'smart regulation' - which entails using research evidence to find the most effective and efficient combination of regulatory mechanisms.