These lively and stimulating ideas for use in and out of class reinforce active learning. The activities apply to individual or group projects.

15-1:  Describe the history and background of private police.

1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, outline the history and evolution of private police in the U.S.
2. Writing:  What are your initial thoughts about the modern private security industry? Reflect in 500-800 words.

15-2:  List the size of the current private security force.

1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, identify 7-10 situations in which you would encounter a public police officer, 7-10 situations in which you would encounter a private security personnel, and the likelihood of each of these situations. Discuss the likelihood of encountering public versus private police daily.
2. Writing:  What do you think the magnitude of private security personnel reflects in the U.S. today? Consider public budgets, class issues, growing safety threats, and/or other relevant factors. Discuss in 500-800 words.

15-3:  Summarize the various roles and employment information of private and contract security personnel.

1. Role-playing:  In groups of 4-6, portray 5-7 scenarios that demonstrate the various roles that private and contract security personnel fill.
2. Writing:  Imagine you are president of your homeowners’ association and would like to hire private security to patrol the neighborhood. Why would you seek private security? What backgrounds would you look for in security personnel? Discuss in 800-1000 words.

15-4:  Discuss the authority, requirements, and accountability of private security personnel.

1. Practicum:  In groups of 4-6, outline 5 strategic points that could hold private security personnel accountable. Discuss how these accountability measures differ from those of public police.
2. Writing:  Private security personnel are accountable to their clients/employers, but not to the public. In 800-1000 words, reflect on implications of this.

15-5:  Explain the differences between private and public police, as well as the risks and benefits of a privatized police force.

1. Debate:  In groups of 4-6, debate the benefits and risks of privatizing police.
2. Writing:  In 800-1000 words, weigh the costs and benefits of a growing privatized security industry.  

15-6:  Identify possible strategies that could be implemented to mitigate the current discord between police and private security personnel.

1. Practicum:  In groups of 3-5, outline 5-7 ways to build partnership and collaboration between police and private security personnel.
2. Writing:  Imagine you are a public police officer whose agency has recently been collaborating with a private security firm. What are your perspectives, goals, and concerns for this partnership? Reflect in 800-1000 words.