UOTP Federal and Private Law Enforcement Officers Discussion

Please reply between 100-150 words to my classmates using your own opinion.

1st reply:

What do you think are the most critical differences between the authority and responsibilities of government justice system personnel versus private security personnel? How do these differences relate with the authorities of private citizens?

Public officials such as law enforcement officers (police), detectives, and sworn peace officers are governed by the government that gives the agency their power, laws and regulations. Attention must be paid to ensure that officers do not violate or infringe upon the rights of citizens granted by the Constitution. The main focus of government justice system personnel is public safety. Officials must act within the scope of restrictions and regulations set forth by the local, state or federal governing bodies. Justice system personnel also have arresting powers that the majority of private security personnel do not have (unless a felony has been committed in most cases). Private security officers are hired by or contracted by a private organization and are not funded by a government entity. Private security officers must undergo training, licensing or certification applications and test and do not have arresting powers except for in extreme situations as mentioned before. Public authorities must be focused on the promotion and accomplishment of public safety without violating a citizens rights while private security is focused on protecting assets or properties owned by their organization or the organization they are contracted to protect. The personnel at the government level do not place huge amounts of focus on profit while a private security firm must protect the profits of others, while making money itself.

2nd reply:

What do you think are the most critical differences between the authority and responsibilities of government justice system personnel versus private security personnel? How do these differences relate with the authorities of private citizens?

The critical difference between a government justice system personnel and a private security personnel is the scope of authority. A government justice system personnel, a police officer at any level, typically has the power of arrest at a minimum within the jurisdiction they are assigned. In some cases they have the power of arrest statewide. A private security personnel is typically limited to a much smaller scope of authority. A security personnel is limited to the employer owned area of assignment and likely has no power of authority.

A municipal police officer has the power and authority issued to them by the township they work for. That power and authority grants them permission to enforce any state law, municipal ordnance, or traffic code, in the town they work for. If a state law is being broken outside of their municipal jurisdiction, in sight of the police officer while they are off duty, they are authorized to take action under their legal training.

A private security officer has the power to conduct their job on their owners property only. A security officer is not trained to enforce state laws and has no legal authority to arrest or detain somebody outside of their owners facility. Often times a private security officer does not even have the power of arrest on their employers property. Security officers typically only have the power to detain while waiting for law enforcement officers to arrive and affect an arrest.