The effects of private security services on urban security in Turkey in the context of changing security perceptions

Globalisation, neoliberalism and governance processes after the Cold War period have changed the type, boundary, presentation and control authority of security. Urban centres, which have been changed by the changing world, have been filled with people of many different races, ideologies, cultures, beliefs, beliefs, education, etc. Cities where people live in masses have become places where security threats are the highest. In order for cities to become safer areas, it has become an important issue to resort to security services provided by the private sector as well as law enforcement forces. In this context, the use of private security services in Turkey, as in the world, was legally put into practice in 1981. The number of personnel fulfilling private security services, whose legal and practical development has been supported, has finally surpassed the police forces. In this study, it is aimed to understand how the quality and satisfaction of private security services, to which the security of many places in cities is entrusted, are perceived and evaluated by the people living in cities. In this direction, a survey was conducted to measure the satisfaction of individuals living in cities with private security services. 212 people participated in the survey and 200 surveys were accepted as valid. According to the findings obtained from the survey in the last part of the study, urban residents trust private security officers, although not as much as law enforcement officers. In addition, they are moderately satisfied with the amount of use of private security personnel and consider their presence necessary. Another finding is that urbanites do not hesitate to use private security services and find the personnel sincere and enthusiastic. The study was evaluated on the axis of the findings obtained and was completed by developing suggestions in this regard.