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Abstract

The Private Security Industry (PSI) is now a multimillion-dollar industry, which has taken decades to develop from Mercenaries to modern Private Security Companies (PSC’s. Their makeup is militaristic and often criticised for being too offensive and sometimes reckless.
This study examines the establishment and evolution of these companies operating within complex environments, building on existing data, the aims will address the history and establishment, analyse the industries strengths and weaknesses and establish the effectiveness and accountability in order to identify employee, client and public safety.
Based on a review of literature a systematic strategy adopted to verify key authors and texts. The research reviewed case studies, government, UN and national records on the PSI with the addition of internet sources, such as UN, US DoS, UK Government, News, PSC websites and interviews to gain more in depth information on the subject.
Analysis shows there is very little data on early mercenary organisations numbers, finances, injuries and deaths, and limited data on modern PMC/PSC contractor, client and civilian injuries and deaths, however still sufficient for collection. The strengths identify the industry in a positive light, as flexible, minimising military casualties and cost effective, however the weaknesses are far from positive, with humanitarian and human rights violations having an extreme negative impact on public opinion.
In conclusion, the modern PSI evolved over thirty years from outlawed mercenary organisations, which transformed into PMC’s, which successfully changed the outcomes of conflicts in Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This transformation continued with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, which were instrumental in regulating the industry with the aid of multinational oil and construction organisations. Overall, the PSI is far safer today, with little to no loss of life, than it was in the first two controversial decades; however there is room for improvement with further implementation of additional regulation and legislation.

Course: Risk and Security Management - BSc (Hons) - C1565

Date Deposited: 2020-11-25

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13628.html