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                                                                  Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of
Protection One, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-83484,
33-99220, 333-05849, 333-09401 and 333-13733) and Form S-8 (File
Nos. 33-95702, 33-97542, 333-02892 and 333-02828) of our report, which includes
an explanatory paragraph with respect to a change in method of accounting for
certain subscriber account acquisition and transition costs, dated December 10,
1996, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule of Protection One, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30,
1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended September
30, 1996, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                            COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Portland, Oregon
December 30, 1996