Should the private sector buttress police services? - CBC.ca

An police officer stands guard by a cordon in Surrey, southern England. Police forces in England and Whales may soon contract out some of their duties to the private security forces. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

Police forces in England and Wales are accepting bids from private firms that would handle a wide range of services previously conducted by police.

The Guardian has posted the 26-page contract that has been sent to bidders, which states that the private forces may be able to carry out all services that "can be legally delegated to the private sector."

This means private security firms could potentially have a hand in:

• investigating crimes
• detaining suspects
• developing cases
• responding to and investigating incidents
• supporting victims and witnesses
• managing high-risk individuals
• patrolling neighbourhoods
• managing intelligence
• managing engagement with the public
• managing forensics
• providing legal services
• managing the vehicle fleet
• finance and human resources

The notice does qualify "bidders should note that not all these activities will necessarily be included in the final scope" as each police force decides which activities should be contracted out. The private forces would not have the power of arrest.

Home Secretary Theresa May has stated that the "business partnership" program could be in place as early as next spring.

Forces in the West Midlands and Surrey, which are among the largest in the country, are inviting the bids.

The vice-chairman of the Police Federation, Simon Reed, called it "an extremely dangerous road to take" and argued that the priority of private companies will be profit, not people.

"We must not forget, they are answerable to their shareholders and not to the public we serve," he told BBC News.

British MP Yvette Cooper, who shadows the Home Secretary and scrutinizes government policy concerning law enforcement, also voiced concerns.

"The police have today confirmed that they are pursuing these contracts as a result of the financial pressures they face," Cooper told BBC News.

She said the displacement of core professional policing with large private sector contracts raises "very serious concerns" - especially with respect to managing high-risk individuals, patrolling public places and pursing criminal investigations.

What do you think are the implications of this public-private partnership? Are you comfortable with private sector involvement in any or all of the services listed above? Do you think the collaboration could set a precedent for other countries, including Canada?

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)