Security police
Encyclopedia
In some countries, including the United States, security police are those persons, employed by or for a governmental agency, who provide police
and security services
to those agencies' properties.
Security police protect their agency's facilities, properties, personnel, users, visitors and operations from harm and may enforce certain laws and administrative regulations. Most security police have at least some arrest authority. The law enforcement powers of security police vary widely, in some cases limited to those of private persons yet in others amounting to full police
powers equivalent to state, provincial, or local law enforcement.
As distinct from general law enforcement, the primary focus of security police is on the protection of specific properties and persons. This causes some overlap with functions normally performed by security guards. However, security police are distinguished from guards by greater authority, often higher levels of training, and correspondingly higher expectations of performance in the protection of life and property.
In other countries, 'security police' is the name given to the secret security and intelligence services charged with protecting the State at the highest level, including responsibilities such as personal protection of the head of state, counter-espionage, and anti-terrorism.
These powers might include the power to detain, arrest, investigate criminal offenses, carry weapons, employ force, and/or take other actions to protect life and property beyond that of the ordinary citizen. One key distinction is between "sworn" (or bound by oath or affirmation to uphold the laws even at personal risk), and "non-sworn" or "civilian" who are ordinary employees with normal obligations to an employer.
Some security police are full-fledged peace officer
s with the same powers as regular police. Others have enhanced powers which are limited by law to the properties they protect, or a specified radius or distance. In some cases these powers are expanded by a Memorandum of Understanding or other legal document where other policing agencies delegate additional powers to enforce local law.
Some security police have the more limited powers of security guard
s in compliance with the laws of their jurisdiction.
These distinctions are of particular importance to security police and their employers.
it is one of the largest central paramilitary forces in India. Strength is nearly 105,000 and with perhaps no parallel in the entire globe for a Government agency providing security to such a large number around 269 industries with thousands of million rupees worth of assets.
and the United States Department of State
's Diplomatic Security Service
.
Most if not all of the federal government's uniformed police officers are security police who primarily serve to protect federal property and personnel. An example would be the Federal Protective Service
who protect federal buildings. See Federal law enforcement in the United States for a list of US Government security police forces.
Some major cities such as Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston have a security police service separate from their city police. These may be employees of a public agency or private contractors.
In California, peace officer powers are granted by the California Penal Code under a number of different code sections. Cities, counties and special districts are authorized to form their own law enforcement agencies. Peace officer training is regulated by a state agency, Peace Officer Standards and Training or POST. This training can consist of as little as a 40 hour PC 832 course (for park ranger
s, probation officers or fire investigators who might make an arrest in the course of their duties), or as much as a 700 hour POST Basic Academy (for entry level peace officers).
Security guards (including off duty peace officers) may only carry firearms in private employment if licensed by the state licensing authority, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Persons regularly employed by public agencies as security guards, however, may be exempt from BSIS regulation, if they have completed POST-certified training in accordance with PC 832 or other Penal Code sections. However, security guards employed by a private employer are still regulated by BSIS even though the client may be a public agency.
, airport
, the operations of the local courts and the custody of local prisoners. These Sheriff's Special Officers attend a 16 week training academy at the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy that instructs new Officers on laws of arrest, firearms training, arrest and control techniques, physical fitness, field and patrol tactics, first responder medical training, and corrections/custody training. Being duly sworn California Peace Officers, Orange County Sheriff's Special Officers maintain peace officer authority both on-and-off duty.
In the Los Angeles
metropolitan area, there are numerous examples of security police with different levels of authority and responsibility.
Many Transit Security Officers have advanced training to serve in specialized functions, such as that of a dispatcher, K-9 handler
, rangemaster, or armorer. Furthermore, several officers represent the department in IPSC
and USPSA
competition through their officially sanctioned shooting team.
Transit Security personnel often work in conjunction with deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
's Transit Services Bureau, which has been the exclusive contract provider of dedicated law enforcement services for Metro since 2003.
(CCPD) is a security police
force in the Bronx borough
of New York City
whose duties are to protect the property and citizens of Co-op City, and to enforce state and city laws on Co-op City property.
See also =
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and security services
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
to those agencies' properties.
Security police protect their agency's facilities, properties, personnel, users, visitors and operations from harm and may enforce certain laws and administrative regulations. Most security police have at least some arrest authority. The law enforcement powers of security police vary widely, in some cases limited to those of private persons yet in others amounting to full police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
powers equivalent to state, provincial, or local law enforcement.
As distinct from general law enforcement, the primary focus of security police is on the protection of specific properties and persons. This causes some overlap with functions normally performed by security guards. However, security police are distinguished from guards by greater authority, often higher levels of training, and correspondingly higher expectations of performance in the protection of life and property.
In other countries, 'security police' is the name given to the secret security and intelligence services charged with protecting the State at the highest level, including responsibilities such as personal protection of the head of state, counter-espionage, and anti-terrorism.
Types of security police and similar organizations
Security police may include:- Campus policeCampus policeCampus Police or University police in the United States and Canada are often sworn police officers employed by a public school district, college or university to protect the campus and surrounding areas and the people who live on, work on and visit it....
, who are often hired and sworn in as state law enforcement officers, such as the Los Angeles School Police DepartmentLos Angeles School Police DepartmentThe Los Angeles School Police Department is a law enforcement agency in Los Angeles, California, whose duties are to provide police services to the Los Angeles Unified School District and to enforce state and city laws...
or City University of New York Public Safety DepartmentCity University of New York Public Safety DepartmentThe City University of New York Public Safety Department is the fifth largest law enforcement agency in New York City whose duties are to protect all campuses owned by the City University of New York and to enforce state and city laws on and off campus grounds 24 hours a day 7 days a week... - Housing police, such as the New York City Housing Authority Police DepartmentNew York City Housing Authority Police DepartmentThe New York City Housing Authority Police Department was a law enforcement agency in New York City that existed from 1952 to 1995. The roots of this organization go back to 1934 and the creation of the New York City Housing Authority. New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia authorized the...
, who protect publicly owned housing or "housing projects" - Airport policeAirport policeAirport Police units are a security police agency assigned to perform law enforcement functions at airports. In some cases, they are branches of larger general purposes agencies. Other variations include dedicated agencies, combined police/fire agencies and even military units...
such as the Los Angeles Airport PoliceLos Angeles Airport PoliceThe Los Angeles Airport Police is the largest airport police agency in the United States and the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel. The Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles Department of Airports,... - Hospital policeHospital policeHospital police are specialized police agencies in the United States that provide law enforcement services and security to hospitals.As a result of the increase violence in the healthcare field, mental health patients, and a wide range of civil disturbances found across the nation, hospital...
such as the New York City Department of Health and Hospitals PoliceNew York City Department of Health and Hospitals PoliceThe New York City Department of Health and Hospitals Police is a law enforcement agency in New York City that's duties are to provide police and security services to hospitals operated by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation , and to enforce state and city laws at hospitals operated... - Park policePark policePark police are a type of security police who function as a full service law enforcement agency with responsibilities and jurisdiction in park areas primarily located in cities and other urban areas...
, with full state police officer powers such as the New York State Park PoliceNew York State Park PoliceThe New York State Park Police is the police department of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.-Mission of the NYSPP:...
, who primarily protect the often vast properties of their employing agency - Certain federal police agencies such as the U.S. Capitol Police, whose officers are sworn in as federal law enforcement officers with the duty to provide police and security services to federally owned buildings
- Capitol policeCapitol policeCapitol police in the United States are agencies charged with the provision of security police services for various state agencies, but especially State Legislatures. Capitol police may function as part of the state police or may be an independent agency...
, who protect state properties such as legislative and executive buildings, which can also include executive protection functions - County policeCounty policeCounty police are the police of a county in the United States, Sweden and England .- Sweden :All of the 21 Counties of Sweden contains a County Police Department of the Swedish Police Service.-United Kingdom:...
, such as the Los Angeles County Office of Public SafetyLos Angeles County Office of Public SafetyThe Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety , less formally known as the Los Angeles County Police, was a police agency for the County of Los Angeles...
, who provide full, limited or restricted services to local governments - Special policeSpecial policeSpecial Police does not have a consistent international meaning. In many cases it will describe a police force or a unit within a police force whose duties and responsibilities are significantly different from other forces in the same country or significantly different from other police in the same...
, in the protection of public properties, such as the United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumUnited States Holocaust Memorial MuseumThe United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the United States' official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history...
which is protected by sworn Special Police Officers as authorized by D.C. Code, § 4-114 (1981) - Court officers, such as New York State Court OfficersNew York State Court OfficersNew York State Court Officers are law enforcement officers who provide police services to the New York State Unified Court System, and enforce state and city laws at all facilities operated by the New York State Unified Court System.- Training :...
, who provide police and security services at court houses - Company policeCompany policeCompany police, also called private police, are police officers who work for a private company rather than a government agency.-United Kingdom:...
to provide security police services on company or private property by contract, where local law permits private organizations to contract for police powers; this for example includes railway police
Legal authority of security police
All security police derive their authority from two sources:- the laws of their nation, territory and/or municipality
- the property rights of their employing or contracting agency or activity, which may be public or private or a mixture of both
These powers might include the power to detain, arrest, investigate criminal offenses, carry weapons, employ force, and/or take other actions to protect life and property beyond that of the ordinary citizen. One key distinction is between "sworn" (or bound by oath or affirmation to uphold the laws even at personal risk), and "non-sworn" or "civilian" who are ordinary employees with normal obligations to an employer.
Some security police are full-fledged peace officer
Peace officer
A law enforcement officer , in North America, is any public-sector employee or agent whose duties involve the enforcement of laws. The phrase can include police officers, prison officers, customs officers, immigration officers, bailiffs, probation officers, parole officers, auxiliary officers, and...
s with the same powers as regular police. Others have enhanced powers which are limited by law to the properties they protect, or a specified radius or distance. In some cases these powers are expanded by a Memorandum of Understanding or other legal document where other policing agencies delegate additional powers to enforce local law.
Some security police have the more limited powers of security guard
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
s in compliance with the laws of their jurisdiction.
These distinctions are of particular importance to security police and their employers.
India
CISF is The Central Industrial Security Force (established in its present form: June 15, 1983) is a paramilitary security force in India.To protect public properties and private properties- CISF duties :
- CISF to protect public sector.
- CISF to protect private sector.
- Airport Security
it is one of the largest central paramilitary forces in India. Strength is nearly 105,000 and with perhaps no parallel in the entire globe for a Government agency providing security to such a large number around 269 industries with thousands of million rupees worth of assets.
Japan
In Japan, Security Police, also known as "SP" are law enforcement officers that provide security for domestic and foreign dignitaries. Their role to dignitary protection is similar to that of the United States Secret ServiceUnited States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
and the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
's Diplomatic Security Service
Diplomatic Security Service
The U.S. Diplomatic Security Service is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Department of State. The majority of its Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service and federal law enforcement agents at the same time, making them unique...
.
Sri Lanka
During the 1990s the Sri Lanka Police created a sub unit with its members known as Police Security Assistants. They were mostly limited to protection of police and governmental facilities.United States
In the United States, the laws concerning peace officers vary widely from state to state within a larger federal system. Each state legislature with approval from the governor has the ability to modify the powers of peace officers in their state through legislation.Most if not all of the federal government's uniformed police officers are security police who primarily serve to protect federal property and personnel. An example would be the Federal Protective Service
Federal Protective Service
Federal Protective Service may refer to:*Federal Protective Service , responsible for the security of Federal buildings*Federal Protective Service , the successor of the KGB Ninth Chief Directorate, now an independent organization...
who protect federal buildings. See Federal law enforcement in the United States for a list of US Government security police forces.
Some major cities such as Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston have a security police service separate from their city police. These may be employees of a public agency or private contractors.
California
The complexity of special policing and special police authority is illustrated by these examples, which are not meant to be exhaustive.In California, peace officer powers are granted by the California Penal Code under a number of different code sections. Cities, counties and special districts are authorized to form their own law enforcement agencies. Peace officer training is regulated by a state agency, Peace Officer Standards and Training or POST. This training can consist of as little as a 40 hour PC 832 course (for park ranger
Park ranger
A park ranger or forest ranger is a person entrusted with protecting and preserving parklands – national, state, provincial, or local parks. Different countries use different names for the position. Ranger is the favored term in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Within the United...
s, probation officers or fire investigators who might make an arrest in the course of their duties), or as much as a 700 hour POST Basic Academy (for entry level peace officers).
Security guards (including off duty peace officers) may only carry firearms in private employment if licensed by the state licensing authority, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Persons regularly employed by public agencies as security guards, however, may be exempt from BSIS regulation, if they have completed POST-certified training in accordance with PC 832 or other Penal Code sections. However, security guards employed by a private employer are still regulated by BSIS even though the client may be a public agency.
Orange County
Orange County Sheriff's Department Special Officers are duly sworn and dedicated California Peace Officers under California Penal Code section 830.33/36, who provide law enforcement and policing services for the department in connection with the county bus systemOrange County Transportation Authority
The Orange County Transportation Authority is the public sector transportation planning body and mass transit service provider for Orange County, California. Its ancestor agencies include not only the prior Orange County Transit District but also such diverse entities as the Pacific Electric...
, airport
John Wayne Airport
John Wayne Airport is an airport in an unincorporated area in Orange County, California, with its mailing address in the city of Santa Ana, which is also the county seat, hence the International Air Transport Association airport code. The main entrance to the airport is off of MacArthur Blvd in...
, the operations of the local courts and the custody of local prisoners. These Sheriff's Special Officers attend a 16 week training academy at the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy that instructs new Officers on laws of arrest, firearms training, arrest and control techniques, physical fitness, field and patrol tactics, first responder medical training, and corrections/custody training. Being duly sworn California Peace Officers, Orange County Sheriff's Special Officers maintain peace officer authority both on-and-off duty.
Los Angeles
In the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
metropolitan area, there are numerous examples of security police with different levels of authority and responsibility.
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentThe Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
employs Security Assistants (Security Officer I) and Security Officers (Security Officer II) who assist Deputy Sheriff's in the protection of various county government facilities. The LASD absorbed the Los Angeles County Office of Public SafetyLos Angeles County Office of Public SafetyThe Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety , less formally known as the Los Angeles County Police, was a police agency for the County of Los Angeles...
Police on June 30, 2010.
-
- Security Assistants are assigned to the Transit Services Bureau serve as fare inspectors. Security Assistants and Security Officers assigned to the Court Services Division provide weapons screening and general security of the county's superior and municipal courts. Security Officers assigned to the Community College Division provide campus security to the county's community colleges. Additionally Security Officers may also be assigned to provide security at other county facilities.
-
- Sheriff's Security Officers in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as peace officer ("POST") training, have limited peace officer powers while on duty and are outside the authority of the state security guardSecurity guardA security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
licensing agency, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) with respect to their work for the County.
- Sheriff's Security Officers in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as peace officer ("POST") training, have limited peace officer powers while on duty and are outside the authority of the state security guard
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityThe Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the California state-chartered regional transportation planning agency and public transportation operating agency for the County of Los Angeles formed in 1993 out of a merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the...
Transit Security Officers are under the full Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department/Transit Services Bureau supervision, uniformed, non-sworn personnel, who serve the MTA (Metro) by providing security for critical transportation infrastructure and internal revenue protection. Transit Security Officers undergo a selection process that is similar to that for police (including an identical background investigation, as well as a psychological review and physical agility test), as well as a 600-hour internal training program, which includes completion of (BSIS) Guard and Firearm training.
Many Transit Security Officers have advanced training to serve in specialized functions, such as that of a dispatcher, K-9 handler
Police dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
, rangemaster, or armorer. Furthermore, several officers represent the department in IPSC
International Practical Shooting Confederation
The International Practical Shooting Confederation is a shooting sport based on the concept of practical shooting. Accuracy, power and speed are all required to achieve a maximum score.-Founding and organization:...
and USPSA
USPSA
USPSA may refer to:* United States Practical Shooting Association* United States Power Soccer Association...
competition through their officially sanctioned shooting team.
Transit Security personnel often work in conjunction with deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
's Transit Services Bureau, which has been the exclusive contract provider of dedicated law enforcement services for Metro since 2003.
- Others include the now defunct Los Angeles County Police and the Los Angeles General Services PoliceLos Angeles General Services PoliceThe Los Angeles General Services Police is a law enforcement agency providing security police and security guard services to the Los Angeles City Hall, the Los Angeles Central Library, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the city's parks, having similar duties of the late Los Angeles County Office of Public...
New York City
The Co-op City Department of Public SafetyCo-op City Department of Public Safety
The Co-op City Department of Public Safety is a security police force in the Bronx borough of New York City whose duties are to protect the property and citizens of Co-op City, and to enforce state and city laws on Co-op City property...
(CCPD) is a security police
Security police
In some countries, including the United States, security police are those persons, employed by or for a governmental agency, who provide police and security services to those agencies' properties....
force in the Bronx borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
whose duties are to protect the property and citizens of Co-op City, and to enforce state and city laws on Co-op City property.
United States
- Security police is a term once used for the United States Air Force Security Forces, who function as the military policeMilitary policeMilitary police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
of the United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
United Kingdom
- In the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in-house security guard forces with no police powers were often referred to as "security police" until the 1970s.
Nazi Germany
- The SicherheitspolizeiSicherheitspolizeiThe Sicherheitspolizei , often abbreviated as SiPo, was a term used in Nazi Germany to describe the state political and criminal investigation security agencies. It was made up by the combined forces of the Gestapo and the Kripo between 1936 and 1939...
, often abbreviated as SiPo, was a term used in Nazi Germany to describe the state political and criminal investigation security agencies. It was made up by the combined forces of the GestapoGestapoThe Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
(secret state police) and the Kripo (criminal police) between 1936 and 1939. As a formal agency, the SiPo was folded into the RSHARSHAThe RSHA, or Reichssicherheitshauptamt was an organization subordinate to Heinrich Himmler in his dual capacities as Chef der Deutschen Polizei and Reichsführer-SS...
in 1939, but the term continued to be used informally until the end of the Third Reich.
See also =
- List of protective service agencies
- Auxiliary policeAuxiliary policeAuxiliary police or special constables in England) are usually the part-time reserves of a regular police force. They may be armed or unarmed. They may be unpaid volunteers or paid members of the police service with which they are affiliated...
- Campus policeCampus policeCampus Police or University police in the United States and Canada are often sworn police officers employed by a public school district, college or university to protect the campus and surrounding areas and the people who live on, work on and visit it....
- Company policeCompany policeCompany police, also called private police, are police officers who work for a private company rather than a government agency.-United Kingdom:...
- Federal police
- Security guardSecurity guardA security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
- Special policeSpecial policeSpecial Police does not have a consistent international meaning. In many cases it will describe a police force or a unit within a police force whose duties and responsibilities are significantly different from other forces in the same country or significantly different from other police in the same...
- United States Air Force Security Forces