Security guards are invaluable to citizens and businesses, helping to keep commercial areas safe from theft and violence. But, when it comes to making arrests, how do security guards’ rights compare to that of a private citizen or police officer? The specialists at Norelia Professional Security Training in Brooklyn, NY, explain. 

Here are three common questions about security guards and arrests, as well as their answers from the professional security team at Norelia: 

How Does a Security Guard’s Power to Arrest Compare to a Private Citizen’s? 

A security guard, like a private individual citizen, can arrest another person under the clause of “Citizen’s Arrest.” As part of the arrest process, the guard can exercise reasonable restraint if necessary. Under the Citizen’s Arrest clause, a person can detain another person who has demonstrably committed a crime and tries to flee the scene, holding the suspect until police arrive. “Demonstrably committed” means no one can arrest another person under the suspicion of a crime. For example, a security guard can’t stop a store patron who might be shoplifting if that patron hasn’t tried to leave the store with stolen property. 

How Does a Security Guard’s Power to Arrest Differ from a Police Officer’s? 

A police officer can arrest a person when the officer has a warrant for that person’s arrest or when the officer has reasonable cause to believe the person has committed a crime. The fundamental difference is a police officer needs only a reasonable cause to arrest a person on suspicion of having committed a felony. A security guard or private citizen can only arrest a person if that person has demonstrably committed a crime. However, neither police officers nor security guards can arrest someone for a misdemeanor offense unless the officer or guard witnessed it. 

What Steps Must a Security Guard Take to Make an Arrest? 

Like a police officer, the security guard must tell the suspect they’re being detained and why. The guard must also inform the person under which authority they’re making the arrest. There are exceptions for scenarios when the person being arrested is in the middle of committing or attempting a crime, or if the security guard was pursuing the person immediately after the offense was committed. Once the security guard has made the arrest, they must call the police immediately. 

Whether you need professional guards for your business or you’re considering a security career, the experienced staff of Norelia Professional Security Training can help. Call (347) 652-6219, or visit the website for more information.