Police

Marshall Project - There’s growing evidence that former officers with troubling histories of abuse can easily find second careers in private security.  Private security guards are present in nearly every facet of public life, from schools and hospitals to public transit agencies, and religious buildings. With the number of sworn police officers dwindling nationwide and departments struggling to attract new recruits, many businesses are turning to security guards, who outnumber police officers by a significant margin. But security guards face far less oversight than police and have lower licensing and training standards. There’s also growing evidence that failed cops with troubling histories of abuse — including excessive force — can easily find second careers in private security.  About 30% of former police officers working as private security guards in Florida had been fired or faced complaints for serious “moral character violations” while they were officers, according to a recent academic study. The misconduct included felony crimes, excessive force or false statements in court. Some aspiring officers who couldn't pass a basic policing test or get a job in law enforcement also turned to private security, the study found.