Gabbidon examined perceptions of criminal justice students in a security administration class, asking reasons for taking the course, knowledge regarding the security field, their career objective, and whether they considered working in the security field. He later asked whether their interest in working in the security field had decreased, increased, or remained the same, whether their respect for the field decreased, increased, or remained the same, and how they would rate the course in comparison to other criminal justice courses they had taken. This research was replicated to determine differences in perceptions of security administration by current criminal justice students. Keywords: private security, security administration, homeland security education, criminal justice courses, teaching security

1. SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
IN THE CLASSROOM - MORE
CHALLENGING WHEN IT’S
NOT AS SEXY AS POLICING
2012 – ACJS – New York, NY
Carter F. Smith
carterfsmith@gmail.com
615-656-3505

2. • Gabbidon examined perceptions in security administration class
• reasons for taking course
• knowledge regarding security field
• career objective
• whether considered working in security field.
• Later asked
• whether interest in working in field had decreased, increased, or
remained the same
• whether their respect for the field decreased, increased, or remained
the same
• how they would rate the course in comparison to other criminal
justice courses they had taken.
• This research was replicated to determine differences in perceptions of
security administration by current criminal justice students.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Gabbidon conducted two exploratory surveys that were
administered to students enrolled in Seminar in
Security Administration courses.
• The initial survey explored what students knew
about security prior to the course and delved into
their career aspirations (Gabbidon, 2002).
• A brief post-course survey was administered to see
if their views about the profession differed following
their completion of the course.
• This research was based on the administration of one
end-of-course survey combining Gabbidon’s questions.

4. TEACHING SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
• Gabbidon taught security administration three
times.
• The course was well received by students, many
of whom left the course enthusiastic about the
prospects of entering the profession.
• Recent experience similar, course as integral part
of Homeland Security minor to a Criminal Justice
major.
• Taught course three times, students in all classes
were surveyed.

5. CHALLENGES TEACHING SECURITY COURSES
• Three problems for instructors of security
administration courses.
• Security courses typically not valued by colleagues
• many hold the view that these courses take criminal
justice back to the "cop shop" era
• Students are led to believe it is less important than
other areas of criminal justice
• Core problem centering around respect rather than a
lack of interest on the part of students.
• Once respect was achieved, interest follows.

6. RESEARCH METHODS
• surveyed n=69 students in upper division course in the
criminal justice discipline entitled Security Administration.
• End-of-course survey questions included: “Why did you take
this course?”; “Describe your knowledge at the beginning of
this course regarding the security field.”; “What is your career
objective?”; and “Have you ever considered working in the
security field?”
• Additionally, to allow for clarification, the respondents were
asked, “If you have not considered working in the security
field, please identify the primary reason why. Please list the
reasons, starting with the primary reason.”

7. RESEARCH METHODS
• Likert questions, “My respect for the security
field has increased because of this course.”;
and “This course was more interesting than
other criminal justice courses I have taken.”
• Additionally, to allow for clarification, the
respondents were asked, “Prior to attending
college, what fields did you have work
experience in?” and “Prior to attending
college, what fields did you have interest in?

8. RESULTS
Gabbidon Smith
• criminal justice majors • criminal justice majors
(89%) (78.2%)
• most (56%) took course • most (44%) required by
because it was one of major/minor, 41% elective for
electives major/minor
• majority somewhat familiar • minority (7%) very familiar,
with the field (46%) most (49%) somewhat familiar
• ever considered working in • (4%) reported career objective
security field, > ½ (59%) security. ¾ (76%) considered
working in field

9. RESULTS
Gabbidon Smith
• increase in respect for • increase in respect
the security profession (93%), and 7%
more than 90% reported same respect
• About 60% rated level.
course as more • Four of five (80%)
interesting than other students rated the
criminal justice course more interesting
courses taken. than other criminal
justice courses.

10. IF YOU HAVE NOT CONSIDERED WORKING IN THE
SECURITY FIELD, PLEASE IDENTIFY THE PRIMARY
REASON WHY
• When I heard the word security, I always thought of a mall cop
• I would like to work as a Lawyer instead. :)
• I already have a job in Law Enforcement lined up when I graduate.
• My goal has been to reach a federal law enforcement field.
• People sometimes Security officers as a joke, and they aren't as
powerful as police officers.
• I always thought that security guards had to be buff guys who are
able to be complete ass holes to people
• Don’t know if I am physically fit enough to respond necessarily to an
situation.

11. PRIOR TO ATTENDING COLLEGE, WHAT FIELDS
DID YOU HAVE WORK EXPERIENCE IN?
• Computer Science, Sales, • Theatre Work, Recreation
Construction, Lawn Care, Maintenance at a Golf Resort,
Retail, Military, Small Dentistry, Corrections, Private
Business, Landscaping, Security, Lifeguard, Grocery,
Construction, Electrical, Private Security, and
Plumbing, Pressure Washing Government Security,
Large Semi Trucks, Asset Dominos Pizza, Marine Corps,
Protection, Sales, Auto Security, Movie Theater, and
Detailing, Hotel Industry, Airport Dispatcher.
hospitality, Professional
Musician

12. PRIOR TO ATTENDING COLLEGE, WHAT FIELDS
DID YOU HAVE INTEREST IN?
• Criminal Justice, • Policing, Law School,
Psychology, Industrial Sports Management,
Organizational Homeland Security,
Psychology, Private Middle East Affairs, US
Investigations, Diplomacy Relations,
Nursing, Medical U.S. Army Intelligence,
Doctor, Forestry, Music Sports Medicine,
and Recording Aerospace, Radio
Industry, Broadcast, and
Investigations, Forensic Science

13. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
• Findings show how students initially felt about the security
profession and how taking the course transformed their
perspective.
• Gabbidon suggested key to getting students interested in
security profession was getting them into the classroom.
• With billions annually being spent on private security,
criminal justice programs should be spotlighting these
courses .
• Current economy and unemployment rate may increase
motivation of criminal justice students to consider private
security as an alternative profession.

14. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
• Data reveal that exposing students to security
courses has potential additional benefit.
• respect for security profession increased
• could stave off future tensions between public
criminal justice professionals and those in
private sector
• welcome change to security profession often
looked down upon by public law enforcement