Security Officers and Policing: Powers, Culture and Control in the Governance of Private Space

This volume examines how and to what extent security officers make use of`legal tools. The work identifies these tools and draws on two case-study sites to illustrate how security officers make use of them as well as how they fit in broader security systems to secure compliance. The study also examines the occupational culture of security officers and links them into the broader systems of security that operate to police nodes of governance. The book provides insights for researchers and policy-makers seeking to develop policy for the expanding private security industry.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Foreword; Introduction; Power, authority and the security officer: under-researched and under-estimated?; Researching security officers; The legal tools of security officers in England and Wales; Nodes of governance: pleasure Southquay and armed industries; 'Knowledge is power?': security officers' understanding of their legal tools; Universal legal tools: consent, coercion and commonsense; Select legal tools: compliance, consent and commonsense; Occupational hazards: too many masters, isolation and abuse; 'I'm a security guard get me out of here!' the cultural characteristics of security officers; 'Big fish in little ponds': security officers and the policing of private and hybrid space; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Dr Mark Button is a Principal Lecturer and Associate Head (Curriculum) at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth, UK. Mark is an expert on private policing and security and has written extensively on these subjects.

Review :
'This excellent book provides a valuable analysis of the legal tools, operational practices and organizational cultures of private security guards. Presenting new empirical evidence to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions about the security industry, the author also raises important implications for the future regulation of security and for the theoretical analysis of nodal governance.' 'This excellent book provides a valuable analysis of the legal tools, operational practices and organizational cultures of private security guards. Presenting new empirical evidence to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions about the security industry, the author also raises important implications for the future regulation of security and for the theoretical analysis of nodal governance.' Les Johnston, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, UK 'The phenomenal growth in private security is a crucial factor in the major transformation of policing around the world in recent decades. Although this has provoked extensive theoretical and political discussion, relatively little is known about the characteristics, culture, powers and practices of security officers. Mark Button's vivid case studies of private security in operation, based on extensive direct observation of security officers, is a major contribution to our understanding of this vital area of social control and policing.' Robert Reiner, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK '…this work provides a valuable insight into the realities of the duties performed by private security officers and brings into focus the complex mixture of the good, bad and grey areas associated with their work. This book is essential reading for all practitioners, policy-makers and academics with an interest in security issues, whether private or public. Furthermore, this work sends out a clear message that the time is long overdue for a project of this nature to be conducted on a nationwide basis.' Justice of the Peace 'There are few studies or books on the topic…The subject matter was thoroughly researched…It would be especially helpful for managers supervising a guard force in Great Britain, or any country governed by similar laws.' Security Management 'Mark Button's work on describing the experience of PSO's is a valuable contribution to the literature in an area that is becoming increasingly significant as the police family continues to extend through the primitive provision of policing services.' British Journal of Criminology 'This is an excellent book and as such it is a welcome addition to the limited publications available.' Internet Law Book Reviews 'Mark Button's book will be of immense value to both researchers and policy-makers…Button fills an essential gap in the literature…This is a highly readable book, which underpins the two case-study sites with theoretical constructs. It will be of considerable value to students undertaking research in policing, criminology and constitutional law.' Mountbatten Journal of Legal Studies