Darryl MacPherson
The
terrorist attack of 9/11 has created and/or accelerated increased pressure to
change the manner in which traditional security and policing organizations are
structured and behave. The network argument posits that due to the unique
nature of security threats existing today, security and policing have become
more flexible, fluid, and responsive, thus, differing from previous static,
fixed, and insular traditional approaches.
This research clarifies our understanding of
a local security and policing network by a) describing their unique nature, and
b) examining their network qualities and characteristics. It addresses more
general developments in late modern policing and security as well as developments
in local security networks with respect to the pluralization of policing responsibilities
and command structure.
This research suggests that transitions in
organizational and operational practices are occurring, but are still in the
early stages of development. It may be that the Theory of Networks will need to
be redefined by the more complex realities of organizational limits in the real
world of security agencies, taking into consideration the complex and changing
mandates and core societal values.