Research Objectives
Partnership, cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement and the private security industry can serve as an important tool to assist in the prevention, deterrence and detection of crime, therefore, benefitting the citizens of the Caribbean region. However, this potential has not been realized due to the general lack or ineffective partnership between law enforcement agencies and private security companies. This possibility is greatly being hindered by the absence of effective regulations, oversight, and governance structures of the private security industry in the Caribbean. The general inadequacy of proper legal frameworks and standards and the unregulated nature and activities of private security companies have raised valid concerns for the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law largely related to the rights of their employees and their interactions with the public. There are also concerns about professionalism, legality, legitimacy and accountability in the provision of their security services. At the same time, if the police select their private security partners strategically, carefully and wisely, partnerships can yield tremendous results. In the Caribbean, PSC- Police partnerships exist mainly in the area of community patrols and tend to be predominantly loosely arranged. Despite the huge potential which exists for police – private security collaboration, this has remained largely untapped with both sectors largely working in silos. In light of the above, the research seeks to understand the landscape of police – private security collaboration in Trinidad and Tobago and to understand the conditions under which such collaboration thrives.
As part of the project the following Symposium has been organized:
“Towards Improved Public Security: Crime Prevention and Reduction Through the Lenses of Private Security Industry and Law Enforcement Agencies in Trinidad and Tobago.” The Institute of International Relations with Trinidad and Tobago Private Security Association and Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce. February 13th, 2025.
Partnership, cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement and the private security industry can serve as an important tool to assist in the prevention, deterrence and detection of crime, therefore, benefitting the citizens of the Caribbean region. However, this potential has not been realized due to the general lack or ineffective partnership between law enforcement agencies and private security companies. This possibility is greatly being hindered by the absence of effective regulations, oversight, and governance structures of the private security industry in the Caribbean. The general inadequacy of proper legal frameworks and standards and the unregulated nature and activities of private security companies have raised valid concerns for the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law largely related to the rights of their employees and their interactions with the public. There are also concerns about professionalism, legality, legitimacy and accountability in the provision of their security services. At the same time, if the police select their private security partners strategically, carefully and wisely, partnerships can yield tremendous results. In the Caribbean, PSC- Police partnerships exist mainly in the area of community patrols and tend to be predominantly loosely arranged. Despite the huge potential which exists for police – private security collaboration, this has remained largely untapped with both sectors largely working in silos. In light of the above, the research seeks to understand the landscape of police – private security collaboration in Trinidad and Tobago and to understand the conditions under which such collaboration thrives.
As part of the project the following Symposium has been organized:
“Towards Improved Public Security: Crime Prevention and Reduction Through the Lenses of Private Security Industry and Law Enforcement Agencies in Trinidad and Tobago.” The Institute of International Relations with Trinidad and Tobago Private Security Association and Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce. February 13th, 2025.