Publication

This paper identifies developments in the field of private security companies (PSC) in Council of Europe (CoE) member states, analyzes existing regulation at the European and national level and examines the issue of self-regulation. It underlines the need for regulation of PSCs, introduces the existing regulation and self-regulation and presents recommendations. The authors argue that minimum standards must be set for PSC training, recruitment and possession of firearms and points to the existing legislative variations among CoE member states.