Should police be privately contracted?

Nope. The profit motive is great for lots of industries. But there are some areas it doesn't belong, such as our justice system.

Henrin said:

Arresting people is more or less legalized kidnapping. The government holds this power exclusively to enforce laws that they themselves have come up with. Basically the government comes up with reasons they will decide to kidnap you and to the most part no one has a problem with this rather one sided affair. The people even want this same organization that holds the monopoly on law and arresting people to have the monopoly on housing those people they kidnap, but as soon private enterprise gets mentioned to do any one of these same exact things that are at the moment monopolized the entire notion of it is outrageous.

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Ok, got'cha now. I understand what you're getting at. I don't wholly disagree, as I believe it can and has been used for insidious purposes in some cases, but I largely disagree in that arresting can and does have a legitimate purpose overall. It's a matter of practical reality trumping paper theory.

ttwtt78640 said:

What possible advantage would that yield? Would these private police forces be paid per arrest (conviction?), based on a reduction in crime rates or simply handed ever more money each year just like the public police are?

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The people would have the option to hire police as needed. I think taking government out of the situation would take a lot of the corruption out as well. Without the protection of government the police would have to answer to the people. I think you would still need government regulation. I think we might see more police where and when they are needed. I know in Houston our community hired a constable to patrol our neighborhood while we were at work. Break ins and robberies came to a sudden halt as soon as we had actual police protection. A cop that knew the people, the neighborhood, and that we wanted our homes protected. A cop that stopped when you were raking leaves and got to know you and knew who belonged where. A cop who cared when you went on vacation and knew who was taking care of your house and actually went by it several times a day doing his job.

In theory it may sound good.

In practice it hasn't worked that way.

BrewerBob said:

Nope. The profit motive is great for lots of industries. But there are some areas it doesn't belong, such as our justice system.

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The courts would still be run by the government and so would legislation duties. The government would also likely still be a player in enforcement duties as well, but just have competition in the area.

DirtyRat said:

I think he's trying to argue no one should be arrested for anything, ever.

Not that /that/ would entirely clear up a "Huh???"

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I'm arguing that people being scared of private sector having this authority, but somehow not scared of the government having a monopoly over it is illogical and stupid. Anyone taking control of another person by force is a problem and it doesn't really matter who does it in the end as the concept is insane and dangerous no matter what.

Not at all (very scary post). If you think police are turning more violent and thugish now, I can't imagine a private police force. At least those regulated by a city, county, state have accountability and regulation. Privateering has not helped most programs in the area of quality. Low bid isn't best.

reinoe said:

Yes, it keeps the city off the hook for cop screw-ups and I guarantee you won't see any more "shot an unarmed person; received a month of paid leave" style situations. With the city no longer on the hook for screw ups I bet it would lead to a more competent force. And it'll be a lot easier to dismiss the Gomer Pyles too.

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Private prisons do not work.

radcen said:

Should police be privately contracted?

Police as in your local city police department, county sheriff, and maybe even your state police. Would it be a good idea to remove direct government involvement and contract this out to private companies?

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Hell no. Corporations shouldn't be given powers of policing.

We just need to install proper accountability and restraint upon the government.

If police were privately contracted, they would be directly accountable to the people who would vote on their contracts. The government would loose its enforcement arm, and would have no way to wage war on the people so it will never happen.

Should police be privately contracted?

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no ****ing way. private prisons should also be banned.