Delaware Security Guard Practice Exam

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

1. Security guards can arrest individuals without cause

2. Security guards have the same powers as police officers

3. Security guards do not have the same legal powers as law enforcement officers

4. Security guards can issue citations to individuals

The correct answer is: Security guards do not have the same legal powers as law enforcement officers

Security guards possess defined roles and responsibilities within the legal framework of their authority. They are not law enforcement officers and do not have the same legal powers that police possess. While they have the authority to observe, report, and act to protect property and maintain order, their ability to detain or arrest individuals is limited and typically must be based on reasonable suspicion, not the same standard of probable cause required for police officers. This distinction is crucial because it helps maintain the checks and balances between private security functions and public law enforcement. Security guards are often employed by private entities, and their authority is derived from the terms of their contracts or the policies of the organizations they represent, rather than from state law. They can enforce the rules of the property they are guarding but cannot perform functions reserved exclusively for law enforcement. Understanding these limitations helps clarify the role security guards play in society and ensures they operate within the legal boundaries set forth by state laws and regulations.