Differences between Law Enforcement and Security

Differences between Law Enforcement and Security

On a typical criminal justice system debate, people opt to use law enforcement and security as if they mean the same thing. Hence they can use one term instead of the other. It is no doubt that these two terms seem to refer to the same thing. However, one must note that when it comes to criminology as a profession, one must learn the difference between the two terms (Jennings et al. 2011). For this reason, the profession not only requires but also demands that the learner must know the difference between the two terms, and why such knowledge is vital in this field. To see the difference between law enforcement and security, one must first contextualize both concepts in terms of their roles in the society, parties involved, uniforms, weapons, and many other factors to be considered hereunder (Koubassov, Barachevsky, & Lupachev, 2014).

On the other hand, (Hiatt & Hargrave (2016) point out that looking at the roles played by the law enforcement officers and security guards or just considering their ends is not enough for drawing the line between these two concepts. In this scholar’s view, even though law enforcement officers and agencies are tasked with is to enforce the law, they are not only limited to the enforcement of the law, but can as well be assigned to other tasks such as maintenance of law and order, provision of services, and stoppage of wrongdoing (Jennings et al. 2011).

Unlike in many other countries of the world, the United States has a unique criminal justice system its law enforcement agencies and security systems are divided into different segments at local, state, and federal levels of authority. This division, however, has many disadvantages, for instance, it is not easy to know the exact number of officers in the United States since their name is only approximated, there is nothing like an ‘overall’ law enforcement agency, and most importantly, there is a high possibility of coordination between law enforcement agencies, otherwise, not with the law enforcement agencies’ structural characteristics (Hiatt, & Hargrave, 2016). This paper is, therefore, going to shed light on both concepts before looking into the main differences between them. Also, the paper will attempt to look into the fundamental reasons why it is necessary for a criminologist or a criminal justice professional to be acquainted with these differences.

A Brief on the Two Concepts

Security and law enforcement are two elaborate concepts and involves different parties and are tasked with different roles in society, though there are some overlaps when the situation demands. Below are a detailed analysis of the two concepts.

The Concept of Security

The concept of security entails useful human and property protection, and most importantly, respect for human rights and the rule of law. It is primarily a way of combating criminality through problem-solving community-based approaches. This concept requires support from different parties, particularly the community residents, business people, leaders, and designing community-based solutions towards crime. The common goal is to ensure there are peace and harmony in society (Hiatt & Hargrave, 2016).

To some extent, security is not limited to community-based approaches, but a business too. In the United States, many security firms offer security services to clients at an agreed cost. In such a scenario, people who want such services either for their life protection or protection of their properties may seek the services from the firms. In so much as this concept has gained popularity in the contemporary society, it is worth noting that it is an old concept with its roots in the classical period (Koubassov, Barachevsky, & Lupachev, 2014).

The concept of Law Enforcement

The idea of law enforcement relates specifically to police organizations and officers. Law enforcement, therefore, means the police officers must ensure human and state security within the confines of the law. In a nutshell, law enforcement as a concept is all about ensuring that people abide by the provisions of the law, or otherwise a punishment on failure to do so. Law enforcement is pegged on the laws as enshrined in the constitution of the land, and people are to follow those laws to the letter. Law enforcement involves many parties such as police, the community, and the court system, among many others. All parties have a role to play in the process. For instance, the police can investigate an alleged crime, search, arrest, detain, and arraign the alleged criminal in court for further scrutiny. On the other hand, the court has an obligation to find the merits of the alleged crime and punish the criminal if found guilty. Law enforcement agencies are considered adequate when they punish lawbreaking and ensure harmony in society. Despite the fact that law enforcement has been so effective in the United States, it is not free from limitations. Some of the most glaring shortcomings are that it acts without considering the cause of criminality, but above all, is the rift between police officers and civilians.

Law Enforcement versus Security

Although the two concepts have adversely been used to mean the same thing, it is worth noting that there is a big difference between them. The analysis hereunder presents the instances of difference between law enforcement and security; however, for matters of particularity, the review is categorized in terms concept differences, differences in the role played, and other variations as deemed appropriate.

Differences between Law Enforcement and Security Concepts

It is no doubt that the two concepts are all concerned with law obedience, peace, and harmony. Nevertheless, the ideas are still worded apart when it comes to functions. Law enforcement is concerned with the maintenance of law and order and is mandated to apply force to ensure the same. Their main aim is to enforce good morals in the society by arresting lawbreakers and taking them to court where they are charged proportionately. On the other hand, the concept of security is concerned with protection to properties or people.

In most cases, security guards are agents of security companies assigned to protect the company’s client as per the agreement. Otherwise, in other cases, they are voluntary practitioners who are concerned with societal well-being and ethical behavior. Regardless of whether companies assign them, or whether they are just community volunteers, respect to the rule of law is obligatory (Preusser et al. 2012).

Differences between Law Enforcement Officers and Security Guards

There is a big difference between law enforcement officers and security guards, and these differences can be seen in their uniforms, roles among many other factors. Even though their uniforms sometimes match, it is worth noting that their quality and features make the difference. The security guards use the powers given unto them by the company they work for and the state laws, as detailed in their agreement. Security guards must protect the assigned property or person. They are not supposed to engage in other duties other than the one appointed by the client. For instance, if a security guard is assigned to protect a politician or a businessman, he cannot intervene any other commotion around him, but only stick to the protection of his client.

On the other hand, law enforcement officers and mandated to arrest any wrongdoer regardless of where it happens. Sometimes, law enforcement officers can be assigned the duty of protecting property or a person just like a security guard. However, it is essential to note that their powers supersede that of the security guards because they are always armed while security guards and not authorized to use guns.

Reasons why it is necessary to Learn the Differences

In the modern world, most criminals hide in the small similarity between law enforcement and security to do their acts. In many cases, criminals wear uniforms and conduct their crimes and can hardly be arrested because it is challenging to differentiate them from security officers or guards (Cunningham, Strauchs, & VanMeter, 2018). This has made the rift between law enforcement officers to grow beyond control because the agencies are perceived to be hiding criminals. As a result, the police have also been so much brutal in their line of duty since everyone sees them as an enemy. Knowing the difference, as demonstrated in the above discussions, is, therefore, crucial because the community will know who is a criminal and who is not. In the same manner, this will ease the work of the police since they can quickly identify and arrest criminals. In the long run, the community will see the officers as their protectors rather than their enemies.

Conclusion

Law enforcement and security are different, though they work hand in hand towards a common goal of ensuring societal well-being. Despite the differences between the two concepts, it is essential to know that without law enforcement, security will be weak and less effective. In the same manner, without the security personnel, the work of law enforcement officers can be hard and less achievable. The lesson, therefore, is that each needs the other for effective performance.