민간경비산업 관련 규제의 주요 쟁점과 자율규제방안에 관한 연구

Abstract

The security industry has made a great contribution to public peace services by expanding its sphere from general facilities to major national facilities including airports, ports and nuclear power plants since "the security industry act" was legislated to control the industry and ensure its successful performance. In recent years, however, violence committed by some employees of security firms that led to collective petition posed a threat to people, and there was growing demand for the reinforcement of regulations on security firms and security guards. So the government completely revised the security industry act by strengthening requirements for the licensing of security firms, and tried to rectify their problems. In fast-changing modern society, private security is rapidly emerging as a principal agent of public peace services, not a mere assistant for the police, which makes it possible to meet growing demand for public peace. Therefore it's required to impose appropriate regulations on private security for the sake of public interests. Yet it shouldn't be overlooked that the nature of the private security industry is basically profit seeking. Well-grounded regulations are necessary to accelerate the development of this industry and establish democratic order, and self-regulation should be introduced not to cause market contraction. Above all, users should value the importance of the social roles of those who engage in private security instead of devaluating them. In the market, a self-regulation system should be built to stimulate security guards to abide by their rules. And another system that encourages them to improve their own qualifications to grow into professionals should be set up. Besides, concern and investment from the government are also necessary. The government should aid the industry in building and operating a self-regulation system, and keep it in control through sustained monitoring. The lowest bid should be avoided to improve working conditions and treatment for security guards, and small-sized firms should be nurtured and helped to grow. High-performing firms should be allowed to exempt from some of regulations and be provided with tax relief. Thus, the government should try to facilitate job creation and the growth of national economy by assisting this industry in making profit and expanding its business. As for the right directions for regulations on the private security industry, the entrepreneurship of private security firms should be strengthened to accelerate the sound development of the industry, and self-regulation by the market should be guaranteed to provide safer security services.