Free Research Paper On Public Safety Vs. Individual Rights

The issue of public safety and individual rights cannot be separated from one another. One way or the other cases of actions targeted at improving public safety sometimes infringes on individual rights. Especially after the September 11 attacks, this trend has been on the rise. Further, some people have been willing to promote the cause for infringing individual rights to enhance public safety.

Statutory authority and responsibilities of government officials

Statutory authority represents laws passed by Congress to govern the country. Statutory authority empowers different arms of the government to perform different tasks in accordance with the law. The judicial system serves as the main body in enforcing statutory authority. The government normally operates at a federal and local level. Federal government constitutes legislative, executive and judicial officials. Legislative officials are responsible for developing laws or statutes. Search laws such as involving individuals’ rights are developed by the legislative officials. Executive officials are responsible for running the country while the judicial officials ensure the enforcement of statutory authority. In the local governments, officials are responsible for ensuring that cities or counties adhere to the law and perform duties in accordance with the law.

Security personnel and private citizens

Security personnel represents guards used in areas of business or for personal protection by private citizens. This is common in cases where private citizens feel that their lives may be threatened. Additionally, private citizens may engage in activities that may require security personnel. Private security personnel may also be used to conduct operations that may infringe on individual rights as it absolves the government or any other organization of wrongdoing.

Practices or laws relating to search, seizure, and surveillance by police, security personnel, and private citizens

The Fourth amendment protects individual from unreasonable searches and seizures. As such, police need to follow the law as violations of the Fourth Amendment may result in cases being dropped, and public safety being compromised in situations where individuals are a threat to public safety. Surveillance by police is a form of search and seizure that applies the use of electronic equipment. According to Del Carmen (2013), any form of surveillance on an individual requires a warrant for authorization of an operation since without it represents infringing on individual rights of a person.

Compare the laws relating to the use of force by police, corrections, and private security

The making use of of force by police and corrections security is applied to enforce the law. The amount of force applied needs to be based to an extent that will control an incident and ensure the police or corrections security are protected while making an arrest or controlling a situation. Private securities are allowed to use force based on the nature of the crime being handled now. This implies that deadly force can be used in cases where it is necessary to protect a person from harm (Fischer, Halibozek and Walters, 2012).

 Individual privacy rights and laws relating to policy, practice, and procedures

The Fourth Amendment deals with issues that relate to an individual’s rights. It protects citizens from unwarranted searches and seizures by law authorities. Furthermore, individuals have a right to express their opinion on issues that affect them without facing legal action.

References

Del Carmen, R. (2013). Criminal Procedure: Law and Practice (9th Ed.). Belmont: Cengage Learning.
Fischer, R., Halibozek, E., & Walters, D. (2012). Introduction to Security. Burlington: Elsevier Science.