The Beginning of Private Security and the Development of the Hungarian Private Security Sector up to the First Legal Instrument with the Status of Law

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the current study is to present the progress of the modern private security, with the review of the fosterer (catalyst) and impedimental factors, focusing on the development of the legal regulation.
Methodology: During our research we analysed the law material of socialism, reviewed scientific works and press articles.
Findings: The framework for the sector is usually determined on national level, but endeavouring to optimally regulate it is crucial as it can be a hotbed of unlawful performance and misuse, while overregulation can thwart efficient and effective operation. For instance, determining initial profit obligations for enterprises later proved to be an interfering factor and was repealed in 2005. Private property has always needed protection throughout history and this need for protection is one of the main catalysts for the expansion of private security.
The other is the growing sense of criminality as the common subjective security- preconception deteriorated.
Value: The milestone in the history of the profession in Hungary is the Act XXXXIV of 1994 on the Police that expressis verbis proclaims that the protection of public security does not belong to the exclusive tasks of the Police as private sector has to take part in private property protection. Act IV of 1998 officially recognized property protection as a profession. This study emphasizes these facts. The legal background of Hungarian private security will be reformed soon. The legislation creates new norms (legal tools of defence, methods) according to the characteristics of defended values (values, threats). It is crucial to learn the historical background and development of private security in the process of creating proper, effective new law.