Since WHEN do jerk "security guards"--the ones who aren't also cops--have some sort of "right"-- _

so they think, anyway--to arrest someone? I was talking to one guy a while back who said that non-cop security guards have no right to even TOUCH someone, let alone arrest them! But then I've talked to 2 guards (who were from different places) who think they have some kind of right to arrest someone. Since WHEN? (But NO, they weren't talking about arresting ME, heheh!) Then how come this other guy could have sworn that they don't? Who's right, and why?

Hey, guys, will you check back every so often to see my responses to your answers, please?

Thanks,
Mike

Hey, guys,

Thanks for your answers so far. So someone can do a citizen's arrest, then? How do ya do THAT?


Hey, theoutlawmtomsik, thanks for your answer. Ya misread something I wrote, though. I said that a guy other than the security guards I was talking to told me that they canNOT arrest people, not that they can like you thought I said he said. I hope that clears up your misunderstanding.


Looking forward to more answers, too,
Mike

Every state has different laws on this. Some states regulate private security heavily and some states have no licensing or training requirements. There are two states where security officers have full "police" authority while on client property, but most states security officers have the authority of the owner. This means security can force you to leave a clients property and then, as the owner can, detain or perform a citizens arrest of you if you refuse to leave.

The difference between being detained or arrested is really silly. In either case you are restrained unwillingly by someone else. Just for reference I have worked in the private security field for over five years in California, and I have made about 100 private persons arrests.

Security guards work at places like the mall,grocery store and most other retail places. If you go into those places and break the law and they catch yes they can arrest you.As far as when they are off duty they can perform a citizen's arrest just like anyone else.

They are there to protect private property and protect the public that comes there or prevent the public from coming there. They can't arrest you but they sure can detainee you till the real cops show up. And it's a guarantee the cops will take you away and arrest you and will take the word of a security office.

I worked as a security guard for a short time. It depends on the state you are in. In SC you have the same rights as the owner of the property you are guarding, and can detain persons, but only on the property. You may not arrest, only hold until local law enforcement arrives. Check with your police department to be certain. Contrary to what OJ says, the owner of the property determines if his security guards are armed or not.

This depends on the place and type of security officer, I work security and we can not arrest anyone, unless we do a citizan arrest(same thing you could do) but when I lived in Vegas security officers in the casinos had the right to detain people whom had broken a law or commited a crime in the casino.
Police Officers can arrest people, not security officers!
Even Security Officers who are armed have limited duties!
Who ever your friend is that tells you a secrity officer can arrest you is mistaken, if a security officer even tried to arrest me I would sue the hell out of the company and have them arrested..(ps yes you can do that)!
Even security officers that do loss pervention have to call the police to make the arrest they can hold the person but not arrest them and even that can be seen as unlawful detainment.
I would also add that despite what OJ said up there Security Officers provide a good service, he probably just needs to stay out of truble a little more to avoid us!

i think they are a joke most don't even have guns

Ah, one of my pet peeves! Security officers who pretend to have authority! I've had more than one toe-to-toe with these kinds of guys.

Anyway, in most states they have two powers: the power to make a citizens arrest, the same as you, and the power to briefly detain someone on the premises where they work, just like a shopkeeper can briefly detain a suspected shoplifter until the police arrive.

Citizen's arrests can only be made on the basis of what they actually witness.

yes mike that is true. they think there cops because they have a uniform and its "law enforcement" lol what a joke but the fact is they are low paid idiots that cant get a real job doing anything else... ..they cant even carry guns hahaha!! there a wanna be! that's all .... i guess the best thing to do is make fun of them and laugh when you see one.. i know i do.. I'm embarrassed for them