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Protective Security in Australia: Scandal, Media Images and Reform
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Protective Security in Australia: Scandal, Media Images and Reform

Timothy Prenzler and Rick Sarre
Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, Vol.3(2), pp.23-37
2008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/18335300.2008.9686912
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https://doi.org/10.1080/18335300.2008.9686912View
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Abstract

Criminology Law protective security
This paper examines recent events and issues involving security providers that have drawn adverse attention in Australia, primarily through media reporting. The study covers the decade from 1999 to mid-2008. Eleven key events are examined, including fatalities resulting from security officer actions, illicit activity by motorcycle gangs involved in nightclub security, fraud in contracts for patrol services, and lax security at airports. The paper analyses how these events illustrate risk areas of security work and the limitations of the regulatory systems operating at the time. Recognition of the problems drove a 'second wave' of regulatory reform of the industry in the direction of comprehensive licensing, with enhanced training requirements, tougher entry and licence retention tests, and closer scrutiny of security providers - consistent with an emerging best practice model of industry regulation. The authors support the general direction of these innovations while emphasising the need for proactive monitoring of the industry and a nationally consistent system of licensing.

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