History of Security in the U.S - Term Paper Example

One example of ancient private security forces was the security force hired by Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses the II in the 13th century. In the US, the roots of the private security forces and private security companies can be traced to the mid 19th century. During this time, Alan Pinkerton established a private detective agency called Pinkerton Agency and his company became the first investigative agency that had the capacity to function on a national level. In 1889, Brinks Incorporated was formed for purposes of protecting property and payrolls.

In 1909, William J. Burns was formed as a private detective agency. This company became the investigative unit for the American Banking Association. The above-mentioned companies are referred to as the “Original Three”. Another security company formed during this time is the Wells Fargo. By 1914, the railroads had already obtained authority to come up with their own private security units that worked with full police powers (Dyonder, 2010). After this, the rate of growth of private security industry increased greatly.

Currently, there are more than ten thousand private security firms in the US that earn the nation an annual revenue of more than $15 billion. It has also become such a good source of employment with those employed in private security firms outnumbering those employed as public security officers by far. Its rate of employment is also increasing than any other type of business in the US. Factors leading to the significant growth of private security  The World War II is one very influential factor in the development of private security in the US.

During this time, thousands of military men who were trained in intelligence and law enforcement established private agencies to protect against sabotage and espionage. The Cold War also created the need for private or background security clearances and investigations. This provided civilian jobs for many people who were highly trained. Dyonder (2010) reveals that when war was raging in Europe, President Roosevelt passed an executive directive giving the US war department the authority to acquire and train private security personnel to guard against threat to the US industry.

By the middle of the war, more than ten thousand factories in the US were patrolled and protected by private security firms. Industrialisation increased the need for private security in the US. The main reasons for this is that industrialisation triggered a great rise in crime rates leading to an epidemic of crimes. The rise in crimes was because of the increased rates of unemployment. Singh (2005) states that with this levels of unemployment and the possibility that crimes rates would rise because of the Great Depression, private security companies embedded themselves more into the security industry.

Increased rates of urbanisation also encouraged the growth of private security in the US. The exodus of people to large cities led to increased poverty, violence and crimes in these cities. This led to a need for seeking additional and closer supervision of homes and other private property. Singh (2005) points out that the growth of private security and the utilisation of its personnel was also enhanced by the popularity gained by automobiles. Move toward professionalism