Private security in emergency situations - Serbian experience

• Main Author: Želimir KEŠETOVIĆ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje 2017-12-01
• Series: Bezbednosni Dijalozi
• Subjects: crisis management; private security companies; sector for emergency management; communication; cooperation
• Online Access: http://periodica.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/sd/SD%2008.sp%20(2017)/SD%2008.sp.36%20Kesetovic,%20Z.%20-%20Private%20security%20in%20emergency%20situations-Serbian.pdf
• ISSN: 1857-7172; 1857-8055

Privatization of security started in Serbia in the 1990s when the first private security companies were established. Besides taking care of people and property in regular circumstances they have to perform security tasks also during emergencies and disasters, together with sectors for emergency management, police, military, and other state actors and actors from the civil society sector (Red Cross, Mountain Rescue Service etc.). Communication and cooperation between stakeholders are of crucial importance in crisis situations. Cooperation between the public and private sector and other entities can be built only in an atmosphere of trust in which the process of information sharing contributes to raising awareness about the situation and with openness and transparency while protecting privacy and civil liberties. However, there are different interests, logic, motives, and objectives among stakeholders in those relations. Also, important questions refer to the establishment of common terminology and harmonization of technical standards. In the paper, the main obstacles for effective cooperation between state and public actors and private security companies in Serbia will be described and possible solutions proposed.