Open AccessCitizens’ Views of Private Security Guards in Hungary: A Preliminary Analysis
Author(s) -
László Christian,
Mahesh K. Nalla
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
magyar rendészet
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1787-050X
pISSN - 1586-2895
DOI - 10.32577/mr.2018.4.6
Subject(s) - private security , civility , obligation , public relations , state (computer science) , perception , political science , public administration , business , law , politics , psychology , algorithm , neuroscience , computer science
One of the features of emerging markets is the potential for an expanded role for the private police – a substitute crime prevention strategy in times of rapid decline in state funding of public police, has become commonplace in countries around the world. While much research has explored the citizens’ assessment of police officers, we know little about how the public perceives private security guards (PSGs). In this paper, we assess the citizens’ perceptions of private security guards. Drawing data from 800 citizens in Budapest, Hungary, we assess if factors such as citizens’ contact experience and their perceptions about the guards’ professionalism, imagery and civility influences their views about their obligation to obey private police officers. Findings of policy implications are discussed.