Private Security Firms Fulfill Select Roles Different From Police
Official: Security Agencies Have No Official Powers
Updated: 1:39 pm CDT June 2, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- While Madison and DeForest police revealed on Thursday that a Madison private security firm is the subject of an ongoing investigation into handing out phony parking tickets, most area private security agencies follow specific rules and perform select roles different from law enforcement.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSecurity agencies can be the eyes and ears that a company needs to prevent crime or catch it in the act. However, their power only goes so far, WISC-TV reported.Jim Mankowski is a sworn police officer, but he's also president of Madison-based JBM Patrol and Protection. He said that his business' security officers look like police, but have a different role."In addition to protecting people, we're protecting property. We're protecting assets," he said. "Law enforcement's job is to investigate crimes, apprehend criminals and enforce the law. (Our) our job is, basically, to observe, report and sometimes, we have to intervene and apprehend."Like JBM, Madison's Midwest Patrol and Investigative Services' primary function is to watch and report. The mere presence of an officer can deter crime."If somebody is being assaulted in any type of way, then that's when we are able to intervene," said Lt. Eric Anderson of Midwest Patrol and Investigative Services.Security agencies typically provide services public police don't The agencies are licensed by the state as private detectives and some can carry weapons, but they can't make arrests or issue fines.David Carlson, communications officer for the state Department of Regulation and Licensing, said that private security has no official powers."In terms of legal power, they really have none. If there was a legal matter or problem with violation of law, then they're supposed to contact law enforcement," Carlson said.Both agencies said that they offer businesses piece of mind. However, when another agency crosses the line between providing service and abusing power, the industry as a whole feels the impact, they said."Anytime somebody doesn't act within the scope of the law, it does affect us. It affects me, it affects you, it affects everybody," Mankowski said.Security firms typically offer a variety of services -- from property surveillance to personal protection. Many of those who work for these companies are actually off-duty police officers so they know the law.No one has been charged in the placing of the bogus tickets on Madison-area cars, but authorities said that they're talking with Dane County prosecutors, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSecurity agencies can be the eyes and ears that a company needs to prevent crime or catch it in the act. However, their power only goes so far, WISC-TV reported.Jim Mankowski is a sworn police officer, but he's also president of Madison-based JBM Patrol and Protection. He said that his business' security officers look like police, but have a different role."In addition to protecting people, we're protecting property. We're protecting assets," he said. "Law enforcement's job is to investigate crimes, apprehend criminals and enforce the law. (Our) our job is, basically, to observe, report and sometimes, we have to intervene and apprehend."Like JBM, Madison's Midwest Patrol and Investigative Services' primary function is to watch and report. The mere presence of an officer can deter crime."If somebody is being assaulted in any type of way, then that's when we are able to intervene," said Lt. Eric Anderson of Midwest Patrol and Investigative Services.Security agencies typically provide services public police don't The agencies are licensed by the state as private detectives and some can carry weapons, but they can't make arrests or issue fines.David Carlson, communications officer for the state Department of Regulation and Licensing, said that private security has no official powers."In terms of legal power, they really have none. If there was a legal matter or problem with violation of law, then they're supposed to contact law enforcement," Carlson said.Both agencies said that they offer businesses piece of mind. However, when another agency crosses the line between providing service and abusing power, the industry as a whole feels the impact, they said."Anytime somebody doesn't act within the scope of the law, it does affect us. It affects me, it affects you, it affects everybody," Mankowski said.Security firms typically offer a variety of services -- from property surveillance to personal protection. Many of those who work for these companies are actually off-duty police officers so they know the law.No one has been charged in the placing of the bogus tickets on Madison-area cars, but authorities said that they're talking with Dane County prosecutors, WISC-TV reported.
Previous Story:
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
