Conceptual notes on policing and private security

Abstract

The contemporary world is undergoing major changes in the area of policing. Among these changes, the expansion of private security is one of the aspects that draw the most attention because of the size and influence that this industry has today in countries in which it is more present than the public police force. The actual analysis of the issue and its implications, however, have been insufficient to explain the impact produced by the sector, partly by the lack of substantive information on the subject and the absence of a conceptual characterization of some of its key aspects, which help to frame the problem analytically. This article brings a contribution by presenting a brief discussion of the concept of policing and the similarities and distinctions between the public police force and private security, and also offers a critical review on the “monopoly of violence” in our society.