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Purpose: This paper aims to give an empirical overview of the ‘privatization’ of security (or, in a more narrow sense, policing) services within the former countries of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia namely, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. Observations are put in light of the extant literature on private policing worldwide. Design/Methods/Approach: The paper draws on a literature review of academic publications, NGO-reports and other relevant written sources. Findings: Although it is not possible to offer a full picture of the current developments in the region, we argue that the rise of private security markets shows significant variety throughout former Yugoslavian countries, as does the level of state regulation. Moreover, contrary to the views of doomsayers critical of the provision of commercial security, academics and observers alike are optimistic about private security personnel becoming a legitimate and stabilizing presence in post-conflict zones such as the Balkans. Research implications: The persistence of divergence in private policing trajectories within the former Yugoslavia underscores the need for more detailed cross-national studies that take account of differences, as well as similarities, in how commercial security industries are governed and regulated by state institutions. Practical implications: Public as well as private policy-makers in the field of security serve as appropriate anchor points to facilitate, direct and regulate private policing activities across the former Yugoslav republics. Originality/Value: The growing body of knowledge on private policing is heavily suffused by predominantly North American, Canadian, British and Australian studies. Nonetheless, research from countries outside the English speaking world has much to contribute to an understanding of private security industries. An examination of the Balkan countries that emerged from the breakup of Yugoslavia is particularly interesting when viewed as a post-conflict legacy.

Namen prispevka: Namen prispevka je razmejiti državno od zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti, prikazati značilnosti in trende zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti po svetu ter opozoriti na zametke te dejavnosti v Sloveniji. Metode: Opravljena je analiza teoretičnih del in pristopov k obravnavanju državne in zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti, analiza konkretnih primerov razvoja in delovanja zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti ter analiza zakonodaje, ki to dejavnost ureja v Sloveniji. Deloma so bili uporabljeni tudi rezultati raziskave, ki je bila na to temo opravljena za potrebe doktorske disertacije na Fakulteti za varnostne vede Univerze v Mariboru. Ugotovitve: Zasebna obveščevalna dejavnost (v okviru zakonskih omejitev) postaja pomembna in legitimna gospodarska dejavnost, ki ni omejena na državo ali regijo, temveč deluje v globalnem okolju. Njene stranke so tako države kot velike korporativne družbe, ki se zanimajo za tveganja, ki bi lahko ogrozila njihove interese. Takšen trend, ki ga zaznavamo na Zahodu, bi se lahko v določeni meri pojavil tudi v Sloveniji, kjer zaradi narave in nelagodja ob omembi zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti dejansko ne moremo zagotovo trditi, kako zelo je ta razširjena. Kljub temu pa lahko z analizo slovenske zakonodaje zaznamo elemente zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti in predvsem dela protiobveščevalne dejavnosti, kot je zaščita poslovnih skrivnosti. Globalna konkurenca, prihod tujih gospodarskih družb in nastop slovenskih gospodarskih družb na svetovnem trgu bodo najverjetneje silili družbe v čim učinkovitejšo zaščito lastnih podatkov ter zbiranje in analizo novih podatkov, pomembnih za obvladovanje tveganj, to pa bo pozitivno vplivalo na razvoj zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Prispevek na enem mestu razloži evolucijo državne in zasebne obveščevalne dejavnosti in slednjo brez ideologiziranja in moraliziranja predstavi kot logično posledico potreb in trendov v gospodarstvu kakor tudi dejavnosti držav, ki svoje mnogotere, nekoč tradicionalne dejavnosti, prepuščajo zasebni pobudi in so od nje včasih celo odvisne. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to delimit state intelligence from private intelligence, demonstrate features and trends of private intelligence activities around the world, and draw attention to the beginnings of these activities in Slovenia. Design/Methods/Approach: The methods span an analysis of theoretical works and approaches dealing with state and private intelligence operations, an analysis of concrete examples of the development and operation of private intelligence activities, as well as an analysis of the legislation that regulating this activity in Slovenia. Also used are the results of the survey conducted on this topic for the needs of the doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security of the University of Maribor. Findings: Private intelligence (within legal limits) is becoming an important and legitimate economic activity that is not limited by country or region, but it is spread in a global environment. Its customers are states as well as large corporations interested in the risks that could jeopardize their interests. This trend, as perceived in the West, could, to some extent, also appear in Slovenia. Due to the nature of this activity and discomfort at the mention of the term private intelligence, one cannot say here how much it is already widespread in Slovenia. Nevertheless, through the analysis of Slovenian legislation, we can detect elements of private intelligence activities, particularly those partly related to counterintelligence, such as protection of business secrets. Global competition, the arrival of foreign firms, and the performance of Slovenian firms on the world market will most likely be forcing Slovenian firms to maximize effective protection of their data and collection/analysis of new data relevant to risk control, which will have a positive impact on the development of private intelligence. Originality/Value: The article is an attempt to simultaneously explain evolution of state and private intelligence activities, presenting the latter without ideology and moralizing, i.e., as a logical consequence of needs and trends in the economy, as well as the manifold activities that states once traditionally controlled themselves but now cede to private initiative, sometimes even depending on it.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to reveal the competence of security guards, mainly through the eyes of security managers and users of security services, in the area of security personnel’s competence in carrying out security tasks. In this paper, we wish to ascertain how the guards’ competencies are assessed by security managers and security service users, and if their assessments differ. We also analyse whether there are differences between the competencies self-assessed by private security guards and how they are assessed by their managers and service users. Methods: For the purposes of the literature review, we analysed domestic and foreign sources and domestic legislation, and conducted a quantitative survey on competencies with all three groups (users of security services, security managers, security guards). For the data collection, we employed a questionnaire to evaluate competencies using a five-point scale. Findings: The findings suggest security guards’ interpersonal competencies are evaluated better by the users of security services than by security guards themselves. Both security guards and security managers assessed themselves similarly in terms of their own interpersonal competencies. To realise the full potential of the non-government institutional, as well as non-institutional, provision of security, the mentality of the management structures of both the users and providers of security services must change, while also better educating the security personnel, ensuring a suitable salary for their work, and demanding the correct performance of their tasks and duties. Originality/Value: The paper provides a useful starting point in the field of private security for the development of competence models, which should be based on employee competencies and security services users’ needs. Namen prispevka: Namen prispevka je prikazati razvoj zasebnega varovanja v Republiki Sloveniji predvsem skozi oči varnostnih menedžerjev in uporabnikov varnostnih storitev na področju kompetenc varnostnega osebja, ki izvaja varnostne naloge. V prispevku želimo ugotoviti, kako varnostni menedžerji in uporabniki varnostnih storitev ocenjujejo kompetence zaposlenih, ali med njimi prihaja do razkoraka. Prav tako bomo analizirali, ali prihaja do razlik med samooceno kompetenc varnostnikov ter oceno teh kompetenc s strani njihovih vodij in uporabnikov njihovih storitev. Metode: Za namene pregleda literature smo analizirali domače in tuje vire ter zakonodajo, v delu kompetenc pa smo opravili anketiranje vseh treh skupin (uporabnikov varnostnih storitev, varnostnih menedžerjev, varnostnikov). Za zbiranje podatkov smo uporabili vprašalnik, kjer smo kompetence ocenjevali s pomočjo petstopenjske lestvice. Ugotovitve: Ugotovitve kažejo, da medosebne kompetence varnostnega osebja više ocenjujejo naročniki/uporabniki varnostnih storitev kot varnostniki (varnostno osebje). Za razvoj vseh potencialov nedržavnega institucionalnega zagotavljanja varnosti je treba spremeniti naravnanost tako ponudnikov varnostnih storitev kakor tudi uporabnikov varnostnih storitev, hkrati pa izboljšati usposabljanje, predvsem neformalno, varnostnega osebja, ki bo za primerno plačo kvalitetno izvajalo svoje naloge in dolžnosti. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Prispevek predstavlja kratek pregled razvoja zasebnega varovanja v Republiki Sloveniji ter predstavlja enega od izhodišč za razvoj kompetenčnih modelov na področju zasebnega varovanja, ki mora temeljiti na sposobnostih zaposlenih, ki jih pričakujejo in potrebujejo uporabniki varnostnih storitev.

Namen prispevka: Namen prispevka je proučiti opravila, ki jih pri varovanju nakupovalnega središča, kot privatiziranega urbanega prostora, izvaja zasebnovarnostno osebje. Avtorji želijo ugotoviti, kakšno je razmerje med tipičnimi varnostnimi/ policijskimi/nadzorstvenimi opravili, ki jih najbolje okarakterizirajo zakonsko opredeljeni ukrepi zasebnega varnostnika, in drugimi opravili, ki imajo za cilj predvsem zagotavljanje prijetnega in sproščenega počutja strank ter zadovoljstva naročnikov zasebnovarnostnih storitev. Metode: Prispevek temelji na raziskavi, ki je bila opravljena s pomočjo kvalitativnih metod raziskovanja, predvsem z metodo načrtnega neposrednega opazovanja za proučevanje dogajanj v nakupovalnem središču in reakcijo zasebnih varnostnikov na to dogajanje ter metodo intervjuja za pojasnitev organizacije varovanja in upravljanja z nakupovalnim središčem. Ugotovitve: Proučevano nakupovalno središče se je v opazovanem obdobju pokazalo za varen in do obiskovalcev prijazen urbani prostor. To dokazuje tudi opravljeno delo zasebnih varnostnikov, ki je obsegalo in zahtevalo predvsem ukrepe opozarjanja in izrekanja ustnih navodil (odredb) obiskovalcem, medtem ko dogodkov, ki bi zahtevali druge, ostrejše ukrepe varnostnikov (od preprečitve vstopa ali izstopa in zadržanja osebe do uporabe fizične sile ali sredstev za vklepanje in vezanje) v opazovanem obdobju ni bilo. Omejitve/uporabnost raziskave Raziskava vključuje le vidik varovanja skupnih prostorov nakupovalnega središča, ne opredeljuje pa se do razmerij med posameznimi ponudniki/ izvajalci zasebnovarnostnih storitev, ki jih najemajo poslovni subjekti znotraj nakupovalnega središča. To ostaja izziv za nadaljnje raziskovanje. Praktična uporabnost: Tako zasebnovarnostna podjetja kot tudi naročniki/uporabniki njihovih storitev so z raziskavo dobili nevtralen vpogled v dejanske razsežnosti opravljanja varnostno-nadzorstvenih in drugih funkcij zasebnih varnostnikov v nakupovalnem središču. Prav tako bodo ugotovitve pomembne za premislek o smotrnosti drobitve zasebnovarnostnih storitev med različne ponudnike teh storitev v enem nakupovalnem središču, kakor tudi o (ne)koordinaciji in (ne) sodelovanju med varnostniki v lokalih in varnostniki nakupovalnega središča. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Članek predstavlja rezultate raziskave o dejanski vlogi zasebnega varovanja kot neformalnega družbenega nadzorovalca v privatiziranih urbanih prostorih. Gre za prvo tovrstno raziskavo v Sloveniji. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine tasks of the private security personnel in shopping malls, as privatized urban space. The authors would like to find out the relationship between the typical security/police/supervisory tasks that are best legally defined as measures of private security guards, and other jobs that are aimed primarily to ensure a pleasant and relaxed well-being of customers in the shopping malls and contracting authority’s satisfaction with private security service. Design/Methods/Approach: The article is based on research that was conducted by using qualitative research methods, particularly the method of systematic direct observation. The goal of the research is to study occurrences in the shopping malls, and the reaction of private security guards at these events. To clarify the organization of the security and management of shopping malls the authors also used the interview method. Findings: In the observed period, the examined shopping mall has proved to be safe and visitor-friendly urban space. This is evidenced by the work of private security guards that has involved and required mainly actions of warning and imposing verbal orders to the visitors, while events that would require other, rougher security measures during the observation period were not needed (prevention of entering a protected area, detention of persons, use of physical force and other means of restraint). Research Limitations / Implications: The survey includes only the aspect of securing the common areas of the shopping mall, while it does not define the relationships between different providers of private security services hired by owners/managers of various premises within the mall. This remains a challenge for further research. Practical Implications: This research offers both, the private security companies as well as the users of their services (shopping mall’s owners), the neutral insight into the true extent of the provision of security, supervisory and other functions of private security guards in the mall. The findings are also important for considering the rationality/ effectiveness and efficiency of the fragmentation of private security services between various providers of these services in the shopping mall, as well as (un) coordination and (non)cooperation between the security guards of the single premises and security guards of the shopping mall. Originality/Value: The article presents the results of the study in which the authors attempt to define the role of private security as an informal subject of social control in privatized urban areas. This is the first survey of this type conducted in Slovenia.

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to conduct a comparative study of private security regulation in Hungary and Slovenia using Button-Stiernstedt’s evaluation model based on legislation and societal foundations and to find out where the two countries are in comparison with other EU member states. Design/Methods/Approach: First, the main characteristics of private security in Hungary and Slovenia are analysed and presented through a literature and legislation review. Second, Button-Stiernstedt’s evaluation model using legislation and societal criteria is studied and explained. Third, this evaluation model is used to evaluate private security in both countries and, fourth, Hungarian and Slovenian private security regulations are ranked on a regulatory system scale of 27 EU member states.Findings: In this re-evaluation, Slovenian private security regulation received 94 points which makes it equal to Belgium that holds first place among 27 EU countries. Hungary received 74 points, ranking it seventh with the same number of points as Ireland. Although Hungary seems to score relatively highly in the survey, this does not mean the situation in practice is positive. Button-Stiernstedt’s private security regulation evaluation model is mostly useful for international comparisons. However, we suggest that in the future some criteria be used more flexibly than the authors proposed in 2016. Research Limitations: Limitations of the researcharise from the fact that the presented evaluation model of private security regulation is not yet fully developed and that not all data on private security in both countries were available. Practical Implications: The findings are useful for both further harmonising private security regulation within the EU and improving the presented evaluation model to make international comparisons more precise. VARSTVOSLOVJE,Journal of CriminalJustice and Security,year 20no. 2pp. 143‒162 144Originality/Value: Hungarian private security regulation is evaluated for the first time using Button-Stiernstedt’s evaluation model. Namen prispevka: Namen članka je s primerjalno študijo ureditve zasebnega varovanja na Madžarskem in v Sloveniji z uporabo Button-Stiernstedtovega modela evalvacije, ki temelji na zakonodaji in societalnih dejavnikih, ugotoviti, kje se državi nahajata v primerjavi z drugimi članicami EU.Metode:Na osnovi pregleda literature in zakonodaje so bile analizirane in predstavljene glavne značilnosti zasebnega varovanja na Madžarskem in v Sloveniji, zatem pa je bil pojasnjen Button-Stiernstedtov evalvacijski model, ki temelji na zakonodaji in societalnih dejavnikih. Evalvacijski model je bil uporabljen za vrednotenje ureditve zasebnega varovanja v obeh državah. Ureditvi sta bili nato umeščeni na lestvico regulatornih sistemov 27 držav članic EU.Ugotovitve: Slovenska ureditev zasebnega varovanja je v tej ponovni oceni prejela 94 točk, kar jo postavlja ob bok Belgiji na prvem mestu med 27 državami EU. Madžarska je prejela 74 točk in bi se uvrstila na sedmo mesto, z enakim številom točk kot Irska. Čeprav se zdi, da se je Madžarska v raziskavi uvrstila razmeroma visoko, to ne pomeni, da razmere v praksi odražajo to pozitivno podobo. Button-Stiernstedtov model evalvacije ureditve zasebnega varovanja je večinoma uporaben za mednarodne primerjave, vendar predlagamo, da se v prihodnosti nekateri kriteriji uporabijo bolj fleksibilno, kot pa sta avtorja predlagala leta 2016.Omejitve raziskave:Omejitve raziskave izhajajo iz dejstva, da predstavljeni model evalvacije ureditve zasebnega varovanja še ni povsem dodelan in da niso bili na voljo vsi podatki o zasebnem varovanju v obravnavanih državah.Praktična uporabnost: Ugotovitve so koristne tako z vidika nadaljnje harmonizacije regulacije zasebnega varovanja v EU kot z vidika izboljšanja predstavljenega modela evalvacije, ki omogoča natančnejše mednarodne primerjave.Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Madžarska ureditev zasebnega varovanja je bila prvič ovrednotena z Button-Stiernstedtovim modelom evalvacije. Private Security Regulation in Hungary and Slovenia

Purpose: This paper examines the development of delegation of public authorities to the Chamber for the Development of Slovenian Private Security. Based on an evaluation of past and present experiences, the authors set guidelines for future legal regulation and administrative practice. Design/Methods/Approach: The research presented here is based on an analysis of legal regulation and theory of public authorities, of the case law of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, and of the administrative inspection reports on implementation of public authorities of former Chamber of the Republic Slovenia for Private Security. Findings: Public authorities are institutes of Slovenian constitutional and administrative law. An analysis of sector-specific laws shows that a variety of administrative tasks is delegated to subjects of public and private law (e.g., public enterprises, chambers and individuals). In practice, the delegation of public authorities poses several major problems: ex ante, justifications of delegation are very vague and not supported by analyses, while ex post evaluations of delegation are non-existent and supervision of the implementation of public authorities is insufficient. In practice, supervision is mainly the result of malpractice as identified by random checks or the media, and not the result of systematic activity. The public authorities of professional chambers present a special problem. Public authorities of the former Chamber of the Republic Slovenia for Private Security pertaining to the licensing and professional supervision of members of the chamber have been withdrawn based on findings by administrative inspections. Research Limitations / Implications: The research is limited to Slovenia, but the findings are relevant for other “young democracies” in the region and of potential interest to Western European democracies. Originality/Value: The analysis addresses key problems in delegating and implementing public authorities, evaluates the results of experiences, and offers possible solutions. Namen prispevka: Članek analizira razvoj podeljevanja javnih pooblastil Zbornici za razvoj slovenskega zasebnega varovanja. Na podlagi ocene preteklih in sedanjih izkušenj avtorja predlagata smernice za bodočo pravno ureditev in upravno prakso. Metode: Članek temelji na analizi predpisov, pravne teorije, sodne prakse ustavnega sodišča in poročil upravne inšpekcije. Ugotovitve: Javno pooblastilo je v slovenskem pravnem redu institut ustavnega in upravnega prava. Analiza področne zakonodaje kaže, da se z javnim pooblastilom prenašajo zelo različne upravne naloge na pravne subjekte javnega in zasebnega prava (npr. javna podjetja, zbornice in posameznike). Podeljevanje javnih pooblastil ima v praksi številne pomanjkljivosti: ex ante gledano so obrazložitve razlogov za podelitev javnih pooblastil zelo splošne in ne temeljijo na analizah, ex post gledano pa se ne izvaja evalvacija podeljenih javnih pooblastil, nadzor nad njihovim izvajanjem pa je pomanjkljiv. Nadzor je v praksi večinoma rezultat nepravilnosti, ugotovljenih na podlagi naključnih nadzorov ali objavljenih preko medijev, ne pa sistematične aktivnosti. Javna pooblastila zbornic z obveznim članstvom predstavljajo poseben problem. Javna pooblastila nekdanje Zbornice Republike Slovenije za zasebno varovanje, ki so se nanašala na podeljevanje licenc in strokovni nadzor, so bila odvzeta zaradi nepravilnosti, ugotovljenih v okviru nadzora upravne inšpekcije. Omejitve/uporabnost raziskave Raziskava je omejena na Slovenijo, rezultati pa so relevantni tudi za druge države iz skupine t. i. mladih demokracij s tega območja, potencialno pa tudi za države Zahodne Evrope. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Analiza se nanaša na ključne probleme podeljevanja in izvajanja javnih pooblastil, ocenjuje njihovo prakso in ponuja možne rešitve.

Namen prispevka: Namen prispevka je bil opraviti analizo razvoja zasebnega varstva, predstaviti razvitost posameznih značilnosti poklicev/profesij in nakazati rešitve za nadaljevanje procesa profesionalizacije zasebnega varovanja in detektivske dejavnosti v Sloveniji. Metode: Opravljen je bil pregled znanstvenih in strokovnih del, zakonskih in podzakonskih aktov, evidenc, seznamov in spletnih strani državnih organov, zbornic, izobraževalnih ustanov, profesionalnih združenj idr. Prispevek je koncipiran okrog ključnih značilnosti procesa profesionalizacije, kot so zakonska zaščitenost poklica/profesije, izobraževanje in usposabljanje, profesionalna etika, obstoj strokovnih revij, profesionalna združenja in odnosi z javnostmi.Ugotovitve:Zasebno varovanje in detektivska dejavnost se v Sloveniji razvijata že približno trideset let. V tem času so se razvili različni poklici, določeni so bili poklicni standardi in nastale so ustanove, ki se ukvarjajo z izobraževanjem in usposabljanjem. Poklici na področju zasebnega varovanja so bolje zakonsko zaščiteni kot detektivski poklic. Med ostalimi značilnostmi procesa profesionalizacije sta zelo izražena profesionalna etika in obstoj profesionalnih združenj, kar pa ne preseneča, saj sta celo zapovedana z zakonom. Slabše kaže na področju strokovnih revij in odnosov z javnostmi, saj je zasebno varstvo v družbi še vedno slabo prepoznavno. Za uspešen nadaljnji razvoj in profesionalizacijo zasebnega varstva bo treba dokončno urediti področje izobraževanja in usposabljanja, preprečiti nelojalno konkurenco, zasebnovarnostnemu osebju pa zagotoviti boljše plače. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Gre za prvo celostno študijo in oceno procesa profesionalizacije zasebnega varstva v Sloveniji v zadnjih dvajsetih letih. Purpose: The purpose of the paper was to analyse the development of private security, to present how individual characteristics of occupations/professions are developed and to provide solutions for the continuation of the process of professionalization of private security and detective activity in Slovenia.Design/Methods/Approach:We reviewed the scientific and professional works, legislative and executive acts, records, lists and websites of public authorities, chambers, educational institutions, professional associations and others. The article is conceptualized around the key characteristics of the process of professionalization such as legal protection of occupation/profession, education and training, professional ethics, the existence of professional journals, professional associations and public relations. Findings:Private security and private detective activities have been developing in Slovenia for some thirty years. During this period, various occupations developed, professional standards were defined, and education and training institutions were established. Occupations in the field of private security are better legally protected than detective profession. Among other characteristics of the process of professionalization, the professional ethics and professional associations are highly expressed, which is not surprising, because they are even prescribed by law. It is worse in the field of professional journals and public relations, because private security is still poorly recognized in society. For the successful further development and professionalization of private security, the field of education and training will have to be finally regulated, the unfair competition will have to be prevented, while private security personnel will have to be provided with better salaries.Originality/Value: This is the first comprehensive study and assessment of the process of professionalization of private security in Slovenia in the last twenty years.

Namen prispevka: Namen prispevka je pregledati in oceniti stanje zasebnega varovanja, strokovno usposobljenost zasebnovarnostnega osebja ter sodelovanje s policijo po prehodnem petletnem obdobju od sprejetja Zakona o zasebnem varovanju leta 2011 do marca leta 2016. Metode: V prvem delu smo uporabili deskriptivno metodo. Na podlagi izbrane domače literature in zakonodaje je bila uporabljena metoda analize in interpretacije vsebine pisnih in internetnih virov. Drugi del prispevka zaokrožuje empirična metoda. Izdelana je bila spletna anketa, ki so jo izpolnili varnostni menedžerji zasebnih varnostnih družb. Zbrani podatki so bili analizirani z uporabo programov za kvantitativno analizo (SPSS in Microsoft Excel). Ugotovitve: Večinsko mnenje oseb, odgovornih za zakonitost, strokovnost in učinkovitost storitev varovanja, je, da je regulativa na področju zasebnega varovanja ustrezna. Pogrešajo predvsem večji pomen tehničnega varovanja, konstruktivni nadzor s strani Inšpektorata RS za notranje zadeve, sodelovanje s predstavniki policije, teoretično in praktično kakovostnejša usposabljanja, strokovne monografije in posledično dvig kakovosti storitev zasebnega varovanja ter s tem ugled dela zasebnega varnostnika v družbi. Omejitve/uporabnost raziskave Zaradi načina zbiranja podatkov in vzorca izraža raziskava problematiko zasebnega varovanja skozi oči varnostnih menedžerjev. Ugotovitev zaradi manjšega vzorca ni mogoče posploševati in so namenjene predvsem strokovni javnosti, ki si prizadeva za izboljšanje zasebnega varovanja. Praktična uporabnost: Izsledki članka nam poleg vpogleda v značilnosti obravnavane tematike ponujajo podlago za nadaljnje raziskovanje, hkrati pa nakazujejo možne rešitve obravnavanega problema na ravni države. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: Po pregledu obstoječe literature menimo, da prispevek tovrstno problematiko obravnava med prvimi. Purpose: The aim of the paper has been to review and assess the status of private security in Slovenia, professional qualifications of private security personnel, and the cooperation between the police and private security personnel after a transitional period of five years from the adoption of the Private Security Act of 2011. Design/Methods/Approach: In the first part the author applies a set of interpretative descriptive methods to analyse the selected literature and the existing domestic legislation. The second part is devoted to the empirical (quantitative) analysis. For the purposes of this paper, we designed an online survey intended for security managers. The link to the survey was sent to numerous Slovenian privates security companies. The acquired survey data was then analysed using selected quantitative analysis software (SPSS and Excel). Findings: The majority of security managers see existing regulation in the field of private security as appropriate. However, they do miss more emphasis on technical protection, constructive supervision by the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Interior, cooperation with representatives of the police, theoretical and practical quality training and professional monographs. All of the above would in their opinion help raise the quality of private security services, as well as the overall reputation of the occupation of private security guards in the Slovenian society. Research Limitations / Implications: Given the data collection methods, as well as the survey sample, our findings are mainly a reflection of the issue of private security as perceived by security managers. Due to the small sample, generalizations are not possible. The findings should prove useful primarily for professionals, who aim to improve the state of Slovenian private security industry. Practical Implications: In addition to yielding several important insight into the covered issue, the results of the paper also provide a basis for further research, and serve as a stepping-stone in devising future state-wide solutions to the addressed problems. Originality/Value: Via the review of the existing literature we have not found any similar paper, and thus believe that the paper is among the first to deal with such issues.