The Importance of Private Security and Law Enforcement Collaboration in Maximizing Security

Law enforcement-private security partnerships are essential in ensuring rapid response to security incidents by sharing information and resources.

The relationship between private security and public policing is crucial for maximizing the safety and security of your staff and guests during security threats, especially with the constant increase in crime rates. Open communication between these two entities allows for the effective mitigation of risks and costly damages to your property in the event of serious criminal attacks.

Their combined expertise helps protect your business from the financial impacts of security breaches including reputational damage, potential lawsuits, and other liabilities.

Keep reading to know more about why public policing and private security collaboration is essential including how your business can benefit from hiring security guards.

Scout Security, a private security agency in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas, has certified security guards trained in emergency response protocols including contacting, reporting to, and collaborating with local law enforcement. Call us now and get robust security solutions!

Why Private Security and Law Enforcement Collaboration Is Essential

There are two main reasons why public police departments need private security agencies:

• Recruitment and retention crisis in law enforcement agencies
• Compromised public safety caused by the aforementioned crisis

#1. Police Recruitment & Retention Crisis

According to a publication by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the mental and physical challenges that come with the law enforcement profession as well as the rapid changes in community expectations played a part in:

• The struggles of police departments in attracting qualified applicants to fill vacant positions due to retirement
• Reducing or preventing the increasing number of resignations

In addition to the factors that led to the recruitment issue, other reasons include criticisms of the police due to in-custody deaths, high-profile police shootings, and violent interactions.

Media outlets often villainized the police which resulted in a growing mistrust of law enforcement which, in turn, contributed to exhaustion and low morale among officers.

Other reasons that added to the recruitment problem include:

• Generational differences (missing holidays with family and overtime do not appeal to Millennials and Generation Z who value work-life balance compared to Baby Boomers)
• Reductions in police protections these past years
• Dissatisfaction due to political pressures and poor leadership in police departments
• Long hiring process of agencies

Due to these, law enforcement agencies are facing significant challenges in recruiting new officers which has led to a shortage of personnel. Police departments are understaffed and often left with underqualified officers.

Other agencies even resorted to poaching from other cities which highlights the severity of the issue. This prompted many businesses and other establishments to seek security solutions from private security agencies to meet their safety needs.

Also Read: How to Hire a Security Guard: 7 Factors to Consider & More

#2. Increased Crime & Slower Response Times

Understaffed police departments affect their ability to respond promptly to emergency calls which contributes to a rise in crime and violence, particularly in urban areas. Thus, calling for the need for private security to complement law enforcement efforts.

The mentioned challenges in law enforcement recruitment and retention have a major impact on public safety and police effectiveness in the U.S. The decreased availability of police officers has led to slower response times and reduced proactive crime prevention capacity.

Thus, increasing the reliance on contracted private security firms to eliminate the gaps due to police shortages and assist with public safety and security.

Also Read: The Role of Security Guards in Emergency Response

5 Benefits of Public-Private Security Partnerships to the Community & Businesses

How can public law enforcement departments and private security firms benefit each other? How does this affect you as a business owner or property manager?

Despite the reduction in manpower in government police agencies, they must still perform their duty of protecting communities. Local law enforcement and private security agencies must collaborate to meet growing challenges.

Private security guards act as extra eyes and ears of law enforcement on the ground. This allows police officers to expand their crime monitoring and emergency response capacity without financial consequences.

#1. Enhanced Crime Monitoring & Surveillance Efforts for Proactive Crime Prevention

Law enforcement-private security partnerships are important, especially in densely populated urban areas. The same can be said for businesses located in high-traffic locations and for those dealing with a surge of customers daily or storing high-value goods on their property.

Security guards are trained to identify security risks and early signs of criminal activities. Thus, disrupting unlawful acts on your premises before they escalate.

Private security personnel are irreplaceable partners of police officers in crime prevention because they become additional observers on the ground. They can also share valuable insights and monitor potential threats.

For instance, they can:

• Help in monitoring trends
• Share observations regarding possible threats
• Identify wanted individuals
• Report suspicious activities
• Provide witness statements and surveillance footage to solve crimes

Also Read: How Can Uniformed Security Guards Deter Crime in Your Business?

#2. Security Guards Provide Specialized Expertise to Help Police Officers Deal with a Variety of Security Concerns

Private security companies hire high-caliber security personnel who offer specialized expertise to the table. They undergo specialized training to allow them to deal with different security issues in your business.

There are many types of security guards who are trained to handle specific security concerns like dedicated security guards, mobile patrol officers, video surveillance operators, fire watchers, and others.

Regardless of your industry, risk level, and the nature of the area (commercial or residential) you want to safeguard, security guards offer additional security measures customized to your specific needs.

This specialized expertise can be leveraged by law enforcement agencies to address targeted safety concerns not only in your premises but also in your community.

Also Read: 10 Benefits of Hiring a Security Guard to Protect Your Business

#3. Optimized Resources to Improve the Effectiveness of Proactive Crime Prevention Efforts and Emergency Response

Law enforcement and private security personnel can share resources and balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses to address every security concern you have no matter how small it is. Thus, creating a robust security plan to give you comprehensive protection.

Police officers and security guards share the same goal of ensuring public safety. Thus, a strong law enforcement-private security partnership allows for the maximization of resources to improve your business’s protection from all kinds of criminal threats.

Aside from information sharing, private security firms also have access to advanced technology to help complement traditional law enforcement efforts. Collaboration allows law enforcement to leverage advanced surveillance systems and data analytics to improve situational awareness and enhance security measures.

In addition, private security guards can handle routine tasks so law enforcement can concentrate on more complex investigations. This reduces the strain on law enforcement’s resources and enhances focus on critical areas.

This also means that security guards can focus on addressing even the smallest and pettiest security concerns you have that police officers might not be able to respond to promptly.

Also Read: How to Increase Business Security With a 24-Hour Guard

#4. Rapid Emergency Response to Better Counteract Security Breaches

Collaboration between private security and law enforcement enhances emergency response through seamless communication and coordination. Reducing response times to security incidents helps prevent costly damages and liabilities.

Private security guards are always present on your premises, unlike law enforcers, which allow for immediate response to emergencies by coordinating with the authorities to deal with the situation promptly. Their constant presence also provides visible deterrence which makes your property less attractive to criminals.

Aside from reactive measures, the joint efforts of law enforcement and private security in proactive measures and emergency initiatives through joint training programs also ensure comprehensive preparedness for various emergencies. These include natural disasters, criminal activities, and even workplace violence.

Also Read: 6 Advantages of Having a Hybrid Security Strategy

#5. Improved Community & Customer Trust to Boost Your Company’s Reputation

Lastly, private security and law enforcement partnerships strengthen ties with the community, including your customers, by showing a united effort in maintaining public safety.

Guests or customers who feel safe and secure bring money to your business by building customer trust and loyalty.

Trivia: There are several reputable organizations, like ASIS International’s Law Enforcement Liaison Council and the IACP Private Sector Liaison Committee, that work to promote collaboration between private security and public law enforcement agencies (also called public-private partnerships or P3s).

Also Read: The Role of Security Guards in Retail & Commercial Properties

6 Ways Private Security and Local Law Enforcement Work Together

So how can private security and local law enforcement collaborate in addition to information and resource sharing?

#1. Establishing Regular Communication Channels

Open communication is important for successful collaboration between private security and local law enforcement as well as for building trust between the two.

Among the key strategies to establish regular and effective communication channels include:

• Organizing regular meetings, forums, email updates, or other means through secure platforms to share information, discuss security issues, and coordinate strategies
• Implementing effective communication strategies to improve information sharing and optimize responses to security concerns

Also Read: Security Guards vs. Police Officers: Key Differences & Similarities

#2. Information & Intelligence Sharing

This is the major reason for law enforcement-private security collaborations. Law enforcers and private agencies can use in-person or technology-based strategies like text messaging, E-mail, websites, and radio networks to allow for quick exchange of information regarding crimes, public safety threats, and investigations.

“Nearly 90% of respondents to the Operation Partnership survey reported that information sharing is a key partnership activity (the next most prevalent activity is training, reported by 62%).”

– Operation Partnership Survey

Among the key strategies for effective information sharing include:

• Encouraging the exchange of relevant information to enhance preparedness and response
• Developing protocols for sharing crucial data that include crime trends, incident reports, and observations of suspicious activities to identify potential threats and implement proactive measures
• Prioritizing confidentiality and security to protect sensitive data while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Also Read: Proprietary Security vs Contract Security Companies: Which Suits Your Business Best?

#3. Joint Training & Exercises

Joint training and exercises between private security and local law enforcement improve their coordination during security situations. These activities allow them to learn from each other so they can complement each other’s weaknesses.

They include:

• Organizing workshops involving scenario-based training that simulates real-life challenges
• Sharing skills to exchange expertise and adopt best practices for continuous improvement
• Enhancing coordination to improve communication protocols and optimize emergency response efforts

Also Read: Security Guard Legal Powers: What They Can and Can’t Do

#4. Collaborating on Special Events

Partnerships between police officers and security guards during events or gatherings not only ensure the safety and security of attendees but also strengthen the relationship between the two agencies.

#5. Conducting Joint Operations to Enhance Community Awareness

Another way for public and private security to build stronger relationships is by implementing community outreach initiatives together to raise security awareness.

These initiatives include:

• Neighborhood watch programs
• Safety workshops
• Public forums

#6. Coordinating Security Measures to Ensure Unified Security Efforts 

These efforts involve:

• Creating joint security plans
• Conducting threat assessments
• Coordinating emergency responses

Also Read: 12 Top Duties & Responsibilities of a Security Guard

Problems in Public-Private Security Partnerships That Need to Be Fixed: How to Improve Their Collaboration

Lastly, private security guards and police officers can improve their collaboration further by:

• Removing barriers such as information sharing, mistrust, and misinformation
• Creating formal agreements like formal coordination agreements and memorandums of understanding to improve information-sharing mechanisms and understand the specific roles and responsibilities of each party
• Law enforcement officials should shift their efforts to building relationships with private security instead of trying to stop private agencies from creating competition
• More frequent meetings between the two agencies should happen and communication channels should be improved
• Private security firms should raise their training standards to gain the trust of law enforcement agencies
• Proper training that includes legal laws, conflict resolution, report writing, and emergency response should be given to private security to effectively support law enforcement

Also Read:

• 15 Top Qualities of a Good Security Guard: Skills to Look For
• When Should You Hire Short-Term or Temporary Security Guards?
• How Security Guards Handle Conflicts & De-escalate Violent Situations
• A Complete Guide to Ensuring Building Security: 11 Helpful Tips

FAQs

Conclusion

Collaborative partnerships between private security and law enforcement are crucial in providing comprehensive safety not only to the community but also to your business, employees, and customers. Their collaboration fosters resilience to effectively combat crime and prevent threats proactively to keep your premises safe from criminal attacks.

Scout Security’s certified security guards and mobile patrollers in the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas are trained to ensure seamless collaboration with law enforcers in case of security breaches. We can guarantee the safety of your property from criminals 24/7. Call us now!