Question

1)   There are many private security firms, and many large housing developments have police protection provided by such private firms. Few towns, though, contract out their police departments Why do you think this is so? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

Answer 1

1.

There are many advantages to the Outsourcing of policing work or involving private security firms to provide protection. The first advantage is the expert services, to be delivered by the private security firms or agencies that take the work of the police department. These agencies have specialized, trained and professional workforce that are more focused and able to deal with the challenges of policing. The second advantage is the  cost of maintenance. Outsourcing of policing, reduces the burden of excess cost that comes with hiring, salaries and pension post retirements when [police force is maintained by the government. But, if it is outsourced, then authorities have to pay a fixed amount of charges, as settled with the private agencies and services are delivered.

Though there are some disadvantages as well. The first disadvantage is poor monitoring of the policing work to be done. The local government cannot control or monitor the quality of services in different aspects. Even if it is done, then its quality is suspicious. The second disadvantage is the lack of integrity in the policing provided by the private agencies. There is always a scope that individuals with suspicious background can enter the work force of private agencies and leak the confidential information that can harm the society, or town at large.

Above are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using private policing or security agencies at the  broader level.