Can a security guard arrest someone in the US?

Usually only as a private person, under the citizen's arrest law of the state. The rules differ by state, and a wrong arrest can lead to criminal charges or a lawsuit.

Can a guard search my bag?

There is no general power to search. Some states, such as California, allow a limited search of bags under the merchant's privilege after a person refuses to hand over an item, but never of clothing worn.

Does this course replace my state's guard training?

No. Most states license guards, and many require training before or soon after you start work. In California, for example, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services requires Power to Arrest training before it issues a guard registration. This course is background knowledge only.

It depends on the state and the facts. In New York, simple trespass is a violation. In Virginia, staying after being forbidden by the owner or by posted signs is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Citizen's Arrest and Legal Powers Course (US) 2026

Question 1 of 25

California's guard training manual compares a security guard with a peace officer. What does it say?

A guard has police powers only while working at night
A guard becomes a peace officer after one full year of work
A guard has the same powers as police once on duty
A guard is not a peace officer

Show answer

Answer: D. A guard is not a peace officer

The BSIS Power to Arrest manual says plainly that guards are not peace officers. They act with the powers of a private person.

Question 2 of 25

Before any incident happens, what does California's training describe as a guard's main job?

Prevention, mainly by being highly visible
Searching the bags of everyone at the entrance
Questioning anyone who looks nervous or out of place
Making as many arrests as possible on each shift

Show answer

Answer: A. Prevention, mainly by being highly visible

The BSIS manual says a guard's responsibility before an incident is prevention, and being visible is the main tool.

Question 3 of 25

A guard sees a crime happen in front of them. Are they required to make a citizen's arrest?

Yes, but only for crimes against the client
No, a guard is never obligated to make one
Yes, a guard must arrest for any crime they see
No, unless the client's manager is present

Show answer

Answer: B. No, a guard is never obligated to make one

The BSIS manual states that a security employee is never obligated to make a citizen's arrest. Observing and reporting is always an option.

Question 4 of 25

In California, when may a guard make a private person's arrest for a misdemeanor?

Whenever the guard's supervisor approves the arrest by radio
Only when it was committed or attempted in their presence
When a customer reports it to the guard within one hour of it
When the guard finds the person standing near the scene

Show answer

Answer: B. Only when it was committed or attempted in their presence

Under Penal Code 837, a private person may arrest for a public offense committed or attempted in their presence. For a misdemeanor, the guard must see it.

Question 5 of 25

A felony really happened, but the guard did not see it. Under California Penal Code 837, what else is needed to arrest a person for it?

A written statement signed by the store's manager on duty
A clear photo of the person taken by the guard
Reasonable cause to believe that person committed it
Proof that the person is still on the client's property

Show answer

Answer: C. Reasonable cause to believe that person committed it

PC 837 allows an arrest when a felony has in fact been committed and the private person has reasonable cause to believe the person arrested committed it.

Question 6 of 25

According to California's guard manual, reasonable cause for a felony arrest must be based on what?

Evidence that links the person to the crime
The person being close to where it happened
A strong feeling that the person is lying to you
The way the person is dressed or acting

Show answer

Answer: A. Evidence that links the person to the crime

The BSIS manual says reasonable cause must rest on evidence linking the person to the crime. Being nearby is not enough.

Question 7 of 25

Under New York Criminal Procedure Law 140.30, when may a private person arrest someone for an offense that is not a felony?

When a police officer phones and asks the guard to do it
When the person committed it at any time during the past few days
When a coworker says they suspect that the person committed it
When the person in fact committed it in the arrester's presence

Show answer

Answer: D. When the person in fact committed it in the arrester's presence

CPL 140.30 allows a private arrest for any offense only when the person has in fact committed it in the arrester's presence.

Question 8 of 25

New York's private arrest law uses the words "has in fact committed." What does that mean for a guard?

The arrest is lawful as long as the person looked guilty
The guard may arrest on a rumor if it is written down first
Any honest belief, even a wrong one, makes the arrest lawful
An honest mistake leaves the arrest without legal authority

Show answer

Answer: D. An honest mistake leaves the arrest without legal authority

Because CPL 140.30 requires that the offense was in fact committed, a guard who is wrong has no authority for the arrest, even if they believed it honestly.

Question 9 of 25

Under CPL 140.30, where may a private person arrest someone for an offense that is not a felony?

Anywhere in the United States, if it is the same day
Only in the county where the offense was committed
Anywhere in New York State, at any time of day
Only inside the same building where the offense happened

Show answer

Answer: B. Only in the county where the offense was committed

CPL 140.30(2) allows a felony arrest anywhere in the state, but an arrest for any other offense only in the county where it was committed.

Question 10 of 25

California's guard manual says the person being arrested should be told three things. Which three?

Your intention, the cause and your authority to arrest
Your name, your badge number and your shift times
The police station, the judge's name and the bail amount
The store's policy, the item's price and today's date

Show answer

Answer: A. Your intention, the cause and your authority to arrest

The BSIS manual says to tell the subject of your intention, cause and authority to arrest, so they understand they are under citizen's arrest and why.

Question 11 of 25

New York CPL 140.35 says a private person must tell the arrested person the reason for the arrest. When is this not required?

When the guard is wearing a full uniform with a visible badge
When the person resists, flees or telling them is impractical
When the person is a regular customer of the store or building
When the arrest happens late at night, after midnight has passed

Show answer

Answer: B. When the person resists, flees or telling them is impractical

CPL 140.35 requires the reason to be given, except when the person offers physical resistance, flees or other factors make it impractical.

Question 12 of 25

After a citizen's arrest in California, which two times should the guard write down?

The time the store opened and the time it will close today
The time of the arrest and the time police were called
The time your shift began and the time your shift will end
The time of your last patrol and the time of your next one

Show answer

Answer: B. The time of the arrest and the time police were called

The BSIS manual says to contact police without delay and record when you made the arrest and when you called the police.

Question 13 of 25

Under New York CPL 140.40, what must a private person do after making an arrest?

Let the person go as soon as they apologize for the offense
Hold the person on site until the next business day begins
Take the person's photo and address, and then release them
Deliver the person to police without unnecessary delay

Show answer

Answer: D. Deliver the person to police without unnecessary delay

CPL 140.40 requires a private person who arrests someone to deliver, or attempt to deliver, them to the custody of a police officer without unnecessary delay.

Question 14 of 25

Police arrive after a guard's citizen's arrest. Who decides whether the person is taken into custody?

The person who was arrested
The guard who made the arrest
The store or site manager
The police who respond

Show answer

Answer: D. The police who respond

The BSIS manual says police assess the situation when they arrive and decide whether to take the subject into custody.

Question 15 of 25

How does California's guard manual say you should refer to a person you have arrested?

As "the offender" in every report
As "the criminal" so police understand quickly
As "this person" or "the suspect"
As "the thief" if property was involved

Show answer

Answer: C. As "this person" or "the suspect"

The BSIS manual warns against words like "criminal," "offender" or "robber" that suggest guilt. It suggests neutral words such as "this person" or "the suspect."

Question 16 of 25

California's guard manual says a person is only "detained," not arrested, when what is true?

They are blocked from leaving by two guards at the door
They are held in a back office with the door locked from outside
They answer questions voluntarily and are not restrained
They are told they cannot leave until the police arrive

Show answer

Answer: C. They answer questions voluntarily and are not restrained

The BSIS manual describes detention as a person who voluntarily responds to questioning and is not actually restrained.

Question 17 of 25

Under California's merchant's privilege, what may be searched if a detained person refuses to hand over the item?

The person's pockets and all of the clothing they are wearing
The person's car if it is parked in the store's parking lot
The person's phone, including any photos and messages
Bags and packages they are holding, but not clothing worn

Show answer

Answer: D. Bags and packages they are holding, but not clothing worn

Penal Code 490.5(f), as the BSIS manual explains, allows a limited search of packages, shopping bags and handbags in immediate possession, but never clothing worn.

Question 18 of 25

A mall guard sees a theft inside one of the mall's stores. When may the guard use California's merchant's privilege there?

Only if the item taken is worth more than a set dollar amount
Only if the mall owners have a signed agreement with the store
Only if the store's own manager is away on a break at the time
Any time the guard is in uniform and on duty inside the mall

Show answer

Answer: B. Only if the mall owners have a signed agreement with the store

The BSIS manual says mall security may not use PC 490.5 inside individual stores unless the mall owners have a signed agreement with the stores.

Question 19 of 25

Under Virginia Code 18.2-105.1, how long may a merchant's employee detain a suspected shoplifter?

For as long as the store manager decides is needed
For up to 24 hours if the store is still open
Until the person agrees to sign a written statement
For no more than one hour while waiting for police

Show answer

Answer: D. For no more than one hour while waiting for police

Virginia allows a merchant, agent or employee with probable cause to detain a suspected shoplifter for up to one hour pending arrival of a law-enforcement officer.

Question 20 of 25

New York General Business Law 218 protects a store that detains a suspected shoplifter. How must the detention be done?

Only after the person has left the parking lot with the goods
In a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time
In a locked room for at least two hours, so police can arrive
With handcuffs in every case, so that the person cannot leave

Show answer

Answer: B. In a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time

GBL 218 gives a defense to claims like false arrest only when the detention is done in a reasonable manner and for not more than a reasonable time.

Question 21 of 25

California's guard manual cites Penal Code 846 about searching a person you have arrested. What may you search for?

Weapons only
Stolen goods of any kind
Drugs and cash
Identity documents

Show answer

Answer: A. Weapons only

The BSIS manual says you may search for only one thing: weapons (PC 846). Any other evidence is left for the police.

Question 22 of 25

In New York, simple trespass under Penal Law 140.05 is what level of offense?

A class E felony
A violation
A class A misdemeanor
A traffic infraction

Show answer

Answer: B. A violation

PL 140.05 says a person is guilty of trespass when they knowingly enter or remain unlawfully on premises, and that trespass is a violation.

Question 23 of 25

Under Virginia's trespass law, where must signs be placed to forbid entry?

Only on the front door of the building
On the property's website
Inside the manager's office
Where they can reasonably be seen

Show answer

Answer: D. Where they can reasonably be seen

Code of Virginia 18.2-119 accepts posted signs as notice when they are placed where they may reasonably be seen.

Question 24 of 25

In New York, a guard wears a police badge without authority so that people will obey him. Which crime can this be?

Criminal impersonation
Simple trespass
Petit larceny
Harassment in the second degree

Show answer

Answer: A. Criminal impersonation

New York Penal Law 190.25 makes this criminal impersonation in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor. It becomes a felony under 190.26 if done while committing a felony.

Question 25 of 25

A guard makes an arrest that is not allowed by law. Who may be held responsible in a civil lawsuit?

Only the police officers who came to the scene
Nobody, because guards cannot be sued for their work
Only the person who was arrested by the guard
The guard, and the guard's employer as well

Show answer

Answer: D. The guard, and the guard's employer as well

The BSIS manual warns that guards can be sued for wrongful acts such as false arrest, and that the employer may also be held responsible.

Citizen's Arrest and Legal Powers Course (US) 2026

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