A Dissertation Submitted in Partial/Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
of Master of Human Resource Management of Mzumbe University
This study was conducted at the Ultimate Security Company at Kinondoni
Municipal. The main objective of the study was to assess the role of private security
companies in enhancing public security. Specifically, this study intended to assess
the perception of the society towards the Private Security Companies; to identify the
challenges facing these companies; to analyze the strategies required to ensure the
PSCs maintain security in the society and lastly to propose measures of improving
security issues within a society.
In realizing the set objectives, this study employed a case study research design
where the purposive and simple random techniques were used to select the
respondents. The questionnaires, interviews and observation were the instruments
used for data collection from 45 respondents. According to the nature of this study,
the techniques and instruments suit well as each category were met and relevant
information was captured.
The findings show that, the PSCs play a greater role on enhancing the security in the
society; however both categories of the respondents (administrators, the security
guards, clients and the police) experience some challenges in the execution of their
duties. In summary, common challenges reported for security guards include lack of
cooperation between guards and clients, power cut, long working hours, long
distance to the working station, shortage of and poor weapons, poor working
condition, conflict among the security guards themselves. Challenges reported for
administrators include communication breakdown between the guards and the
control room, failure of electronic equipment, shortage of motor vehicles, high
labour turn over and poor salary. As for clients, the challenges reported include lack
of full trust with the guards, the change of guards and poor weapons.
These findings imply that criminal incidents would continue despite the presence of
PSCs. The recommended approach to use is to have full cooperation among all
stakeholders so as to eradicate all these challenges. Each one has to be committed
and play his part effectively there the PSCs will succeed.