Perceptions of security guards in nightlife settings among young people: an exploratory study of image, professionalism and compliance.

• In Event: POLWG Panel 11. Police and Young People: Relationships and perceptions of legitimacy

Abstract

Nightlife venues serve as important spaces where young people socialize and enjoy themselves. Responsibility for safety in nightlife environments often falls on security guards, and young people frequently interact with these so-called bouncers or doormen. While considerable research has been conducted on young people’s perceptions of the police, much less attention has been given to how they perceive and interact with private security in this nightlife context. Therefore, the question of how young people perceive the roles, authority, and interventions of security guards remains largely unanswered.
This preliminary study investigated the relationship between young people and security guards in the nightlife scene in Flanders. A total of seven focus groups and two interviews were conducted, involving 52 participants aged 14 to 23.
The findings provide new insights into how young people perceive the presence, behavior, and interventions of these security actors, as well as the extent to which they comply with them. Additionally, the results highlight the working conditions and challenges faced by security guards themselves. We found that young people perceive individual differences in the behavior and conduct of the security guards. Firstly, no clear-cut positive or negative image of security personnel exists. Secondly, security guards are not consistently perceived as highly professional. Furthermore, young people report more negative than positive experiences, with significant variation in the nature of these encounters. Finally, the results suggest that young people's compliance is often conditional, temporary, and context-dependent.

Authors

• Natasha Dewulf, Ghent University

• Pieter Leloup, Ghent University/Free University of Brussels