Private security in Europe is substantially growing. If we take a look at current figures we can stipulate that 43% of the overall security providers in Europe consist of private security actors (White Papers, 2008-2010), meaning that the industry is often called upon in prevention and security strategies. Nevertheless, scientific explanatory models giving more insight into current trends and evolutions remain inconceivably scarce. At a European level, we can ascertain that foundations are led towards the creation of a single private security market. Reason for this is the existence of a sectoral social dialogue, yearly organized summits regarding private security and the White Papers. This article will focus on the existence and operational practices of private security in certain Member States of the European Union. For three years now (in France, the Nordic Countries and Belgium; Cools, Davidovic, De Clerck & De Raedt, 2009: 123), annual European summits regarding private security are being held discussing judicial, administrative and operational aspects of the industry. In organising the summits, the related countries create a ‘White Paper’, a document reporting on national private security of the residing state taking into account its position in European private and public security policy. Although it is said that these papers do not have the intention to create a scientific report (White Paper, 2009), its manifestation provides an important overview of the sector. Three
research objectives will be handled, which are all connected with comparing and evaluating private security in France, the Nordic Countries and Belgium. The first section of the paper will focus on the meaning and aim of the White Papers as well as their contribution in the creation of a single European private security market. We will also discuss the overall size of the sector in Europe. Secondly, the
article will compare and evaluate the private security industry in France, the Nordic Countries and Belgium, as it is expounded in the White Papers. Lastly, the article critically assesses the international private security model. Since new transitions are tangible, we will examine whether or not the current ideas are still applicable. Subsequently, we will also present some ideas regarding the creation of a scientific European private security model for the future, as we believe that the aforementioned
initiatives require new lines of thought. Especially, since the White Papers aim to enhance social dialogue between European countries and the precise achievements to accomplish these developments currently leaves many questions unanswered. Because these considerations require a broader theoretical approach, the last section will mainly focus on a philosophical (and economical) reflection.