Based on reports from member states, this assessment concludes that private civilian security policing in several countries has been a useful supplement to the public police in improving crime prevention and community safety. Their surveillance, protection, and cooperation with the police have been beneficial for most of the reporting countries; however, a few countries reported serious adverse effects of such services due to abuses that have occurred largely due to deficient government regulations for private security services and a failure of government to provide effective oversight of private security services. In its resolution 18/2, the Commission also authorized the establishment of an expert group to study the role of civilian private security services and their contribution to crime prevention and community safety, with attention to issues relating to oversight of private security services by competent government authorities.