The National Police Agency plans to continue this private security support in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant step towards combating high-risk crimes like stalking and domestic violence, South Korea’s National Police Agency has reported five instances where private security intervention prevented further harm to victims. This success comes from a pilot program run from June to December last year in regions including Seoul, Incheon, and parts of Gyeonggi, where police provided private security services to victims of such crimes.
Under this program, two security guards from a private firm contracted by the police were assigned to protect each victim for 10 hours a day, for up to 14 days per session. The beneficiaries, totaling 98, were selected based on a ‘very high’ risk assessment or particular circumstances like the release of the perpetrator or rejection of an arrest warrant.
Remarkably, no further harm to the victims was reported either during or after the private security intervention. In five cases, security guards successfully restrained perpetrators attempting to approach the victims, leading to their arrest and subsequent detention in four of these instances.
One notable case involved a perpetrator previously jailed for eight months for domestic violence. After release, he attempted to stalk his former spouse but was intercepted by the private security detail and later arrested by the police near his residence.
Following the end of the private security period, a survey of 87 victims showed unanimous satisfaction with the support provided. When asked about the level of safety felt during the program, 76% responded they felt ‘very safe,’ and 24% felt ‘safe.’
Furthermore, over 80% of the 173 police officers involved in the project agreed that private security effectively reduced the victims’ anxiety and prevented further crimes by the perpetrators.
In addition to private security, the police also provided smartwatches and intelligent CCTV systems to prevent additional harm. Aggressive investigations against perpetrators resulted in 24 arrests and six interim measures.
Looking forward, the National Police Agency plans to continue this private security support in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, with the goal to expand it nationwide by 2025.
Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun praised the initiative as “an exemplary case of co-produced policing service, where the police actively utilized the expertise and human resources of the private sector.” He emphasized the commitment to continue collaboration between private security and police forces and to leverage scientific policing methods to ensure the peaceful daily lives of citizens.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
