You guys will get used to it. This is more indication of governments and law enforcement hemming and hawing about the monopoly on the application of the use of force. I think there is plenty of room on the stage for private industry and the state to share.
If anything, I think folks are just worried about competition, and that is what really drives these other conversations about ‘pushing the boundaries’ or whatever. It would be like the US Postal Service freaking out about Fedex or UPS, two private shipping companies who directly compete with the US government services. There is plenty of work for everyone, and both sides are still in existence. Both sides have their place, and likewise for the private security industry and law enforcement. –Matt
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Unease as security groups take police roles
By James Boxell
December 14 2009
Private security companies have started “pushing the boundaries” of frontline law enforcement and are becoming involved in highly charged areas such as the policing of protests, the Financial Times has learnt.
G4S, the FTSE 100 security group, has provided mobile custody cells and detention officers at two recent environmental demonstrations. It has also begun to supply full teams of investigators on complex criminal cases, another area that will prove contentious with some chief constables.