The report gathers information on the general nature of the private security industry in the United States, describes the contribution private security makes to crime control and order maintenance, and describes the working relationships between private security and public law enforcement agencies. Recommendations are made to upgrade private security, increase police knowledge of private security, expand interaction between private security and police, and experiment with transfer of police functions. According to the NIJ director, the report acknowledges the expanding role of private security and shows State legislators, private businesses, and communities the tremendous impact the private sector can have in dealing with crime. It also serves to ease the acceptance of private security by law enforcement. By bringing hard data out into the open, the report gives all parties an opportunity to address the issues.