This morning going on the subway I've noticed in the uniforms of security guards stopped when an alleged pickpocket. I could not get to the end of the story, but the alleged thief did not seem too concerned. That is why I have asked, to what extent have social authority. We know wear not policemen and without the authorization of the latter, the guards cannot stop us or deprive us of freedom. Maybe it's a job that involves exercising some of the functions that could provide the security of the state but funded privately.
The history of private security (formerly known as Sworn Guards) is almost contemporaneous with the creation of the Civil Guard. To be more exact, the Civil Guard was created in 1844 under the reign of Elizabeth II, in order to ensure order, especially in rural areas, and the defense of persons and property, as there had been a boom common crime and that continually forced to resort to the army to fulfill police functions. This new security force was then created to cover such functions, giving it a very similar to the military uniform and very militarized standards.
A little later, in 1849, was when the first were created guards Jury. Its main functions were the same as the Civil Guard, that is, to maintain order and security but in rural areas as preserves, farms and villas. In this way the surveillance and logistics were distributed to achieve greater effectiveness. Therefore, also they enjoyed institutionalized authority.
Until the beginning of the Franco regime, to the forties, the security guards kept their functions, but during the dictatorship was decided that this figure could be equally useful for guarding public goods. Thus arises a decree law authorizing large industries to create a security for their internal use.
Even so, they still maintained institutional selection criteria to access the security guard work, and they therefore enjoyed the same benefits and were subject to the same military law. During the 70s and 80s, following professional coverage problems, security companies, where one could name the Jury Guard, besides training them arise.
Gradually, it was lightening the agenda and demands were increasingly specific, limited to private protection and an increasingly noticeable separation of state security. Until today, that rely solely on private companies, and even receive special training and are subjected to psychological tests for handling weapons, their links with the security forces is zero.
From my point of view, l to profession and clothing that has been used somewhat decoupled from each other. Security guard uniform, belts, batons and boots are very impotent outfit for every security guard profession. So, the question may be whether to adapt the uniform functions that can really exercise the security guard or pass these functions to the state security bodies. Every security guard must be imbued with values that should govern their behavior, understood as honesty, truthfulness and justice.