Kansas Security Guard Practice Exam

What are the legal limitations of a security guard's authority?

1. Security guards can make arrests for any crime

2. Security guards can detain individuals until law enforcement arrives

3. Security guards have the same authority as police officers

4. Security guards can conduct searches without consent

The correct answer is: Security guards can detain individuals until law enforcement arrives

A security guard's authority is primarily limited to the role of a private citizen with specific responsibilities related to their employer. One of the key aspects of this authority is the ability to detain individuals suspected of committing a crime until law enforcement arrives. This power, often referred to as "citizen's arrest," is generally recognized, but it comes with significant responsibilities and must be exercised within legal boundaries. While detaining someone, the security guard must have probable cause and should use reasonable force only if necessary to prevent the individual from leaving. This detention does not amount to an arrest in the legal sense, which can only be performed by law enforcement. By allowing security guards to hold individuals briefly, the law recognizes their role in maintaining safety and security, as well as their need to act decisively in certain situations. In contrast, security guards do not have the authority to arrest individuals for any crime, conduct searches without consent, or possess the same level of authority as police officers, as those powers are reserved for law enforcement professionals who have undergone extensive training and are held to a higher standard of accountability under the law.