In general, a security guard's legal power to arrest is the same as that of
- a sworn police officer
- a deputy sheriff
- a court bailiff
- a private citizen
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D. a private citizen
Unless specially commissioned, a guard has only the arrest powers any private person has. A uniform and a license do not give the wider powers of a sworn police officer, which is the most common misunderstanding.
Reference: Role and authority of private security; guard pre-licensing curriculum, powers and limits module
Which statement best describes the difference between police and private security?
- Police protect private clients; security enforces the law for the whole public
- Police and security hold the same powers but wear different uniforms
- Police enforce the law for the public; security protects a client's interests
- Police work only on public streets; security works only inside buildings
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C. Police enforce the law for the public; security protects a client's interests
Police are government officers who enforce the law on behalf of everyone. Security guards are private employees protecting a particular client. They do not share the same powers, whatever the uniform looks like.
Reference: Role and authority of private security; guard pre-licensing curriculum, powers and limits module
A visitor sees your uniform and badge and asks, "Are you a police officer?" What should you do?
- Say nothing, so the visitor stays cooperative
- State clearly that you are a private security guard
- Say yes, because you are working with police
- Say you are a special officer who holds police powers
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B. State clearly that you are a private security guard
Passing yourself off as a police officer is a crime, and misrepresenting your status is a licensing violation. Staying silent is tempting because it keeps people compliant, but it still leaves a false impression you are responsible for.
Reference: Role and authority of private security; guard pre-licensing curriculum, powers and limits module