May 31, 2001

Bruce Benson comments on recent

Bruce Benson comments on recent government police failures and considers free market solutions:

The market has been providing us with a successful alternative to the political and bureaucratic delivery of policing services, if only we would pursue it further. Private firms in competitive markets almost always offer better service at lower costs than their government counterparts. However, the ultimate benefit to all Americans from privatizing more police services would not just be greater efficiency, but greater justice.

Calls on Congress to once again investigate the FBI miss the mark. Changing the political and bureaucratic delivery of policing services requires fundamental reform, and the growth of the private security industry strongly suggests how those reforms ought to take shape.

This doesn't mean that government should completely get out of law enforcement. Benson may be arguing along the same lines as those to back school choice. Competition from outside government can bring about needed reforms inside government.

"The Countervailing Trend to FBI Failure: A Return to Privatized Police Services"