Public‐private partnerships in the fight against crime

Purpose - The paper's aim is to demonstrate how organizations related to public security and safety can more effectively partner with private sector companies under the rubric of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach - An analysis of actual cases of collaboration between such bodies and the private sector informs a suggested engagement approach. Findings - A structured approach of engagement to the private sector for CSR support is possible if public safety entities understand how to effectively involve private sector organizations in their work. This includes clear tangible asks with demonstrable returns and an eye to understanding what effective CSR encompasses from an outcome perspective but also from the perspective of what drives the private sector to engage in CSR. Practical implications - The paper lays out a point‐by‐point engagement strategy which could increase public‐private partnerships in the public safety arena. Social implications - This paper is a clear indication of how and where public sector engagement with the private sector in areas of security are a win‐win combination and augment public security and the effectiveness of both public and private sector bodies concerned with this outcome. Originality/value - This paper lays out in a clear and novel way a “how to” guide for effective engagement with the private sector to public bodies with a relatively limited experiential base for this form of engagement. It offers a means to significantly expand this form of collaboration to the benefit of society overall.