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

1. Pergunta 1 de 25

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

   • AA guard has police powers only while working at night
   • BA guard becomes a peace officer after one full year of work
   • CA guard has the same powers as police once on duty
   • DA guard is not a peace officer
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   Resposta: 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.

2. Pergunta 2 de 25

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

   • APrevention, mainly by being highly visible
   • BSearching the bags of everyone at the entrance
   • CQuestioning anyone who looks nervous or out of place
   • DMaking as many arrests as possible on each shift
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   Resposta: 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.

3. Pergunta 3 de 25

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

   • AYes, but only for crimes against the client
   • BNo, a guard is never obligated to make one
   • CYes, a guard must arrest for any crime they see
   • DNo, unless the client's manager is present
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   Resposta: 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.

4. Pergunta 4 de 25

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

   • AWhenever the guard's supervisor approves the arrest by radio
   • BOnly when it was committed or attempted in their presence
   • CWhen a customer reports it to the guard within one hour of it
   • DWhen the guard finds the person standing near the scene
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   Resposta: 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.

5. Pergunta 5 de 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?

   • AA written statement signed by the store's manager on duty
   • BA clear photo of the person taken by the guard
   • CReasonable cause to believe that person committed it
   • DProof that the person is still on the client's property
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   Resposta: 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.

6. Pergunta 6 de 25

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

   • AEvidence that links the person to the crime
   • BThe person being close to where it happened
   • CA strong feeling that the person is lying to you
   • DThe way the person is dressed or acting
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   Resposta: 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.

7. Pergunta 7 de 25

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

   • AWhen a police officer phones and asks the guard to do it
   • BWhen the person committed it at any time during the past few days
   • CWhen a coworker says they suspect that the person committed it
   • DWhen the person in fact committed it in the arrester's presence
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   Resposta: 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.

8. Pergunta 8 de 25

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

   • AThe arrest is lawful as long as the person looked guilty
   • BThe guard may arrest on a rumor if it is written down first
   • CAny honest belief, even a wrong one, makes the arrest lawful
   • DAn honest mistake leaves the arrest without legal authority
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   Resposta: 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.

9. Pergunta 9 de 25

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

   • AAnywhere in the United States, if it is the same day
   • BOnly in the county where the offense was committed
   • CAnywhere in New York State, at any time of day
   • DOnly inside the same building where the offense happened
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   Resposta: 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.

10. Pergunta 10 de 25

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

    • AYour intention, the cause and your authority to arrest
    • BYour name, your badge number and your shift times
    • CThe police station, the judge's name and the bail amount
    • DThe store's policy, the item's price and today's date
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    Resposta: 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.

11. Pergunta 11 de 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?

    • AWhen the guard is wearing a full uniform with a visible badge
    • BWhen the person resists, flees or telling them is impractical
    • CWhen the person is a regular customer of the store or building
    • DWhen the arrest happens late at night, after midnight has passed
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    Resposta: 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.

12. Pergunta 12 de 25

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

    • AThe time the store opened and the time it will close today
    • BThe time of the arrest and the time police were called
    • CThe time your shift began and the time your shift will end
    • DThe time of your last patrol and the time of your next one
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    Resposta: 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.

13. Pergunta 13 de 25

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

    • ALet the person go as soon as they apologize for the offense
    • BHold the person on site until the next business day begins
    • CTake the person's photo and address, and then release them
    • DDeliver the person to police without unnecessary delay
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    Resposta: 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.

14. Pergunta 14 de 25

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

    • AThe person who was arrested
    • BThe guard who made the arrest
    • CThe store or site manager
    • DThe police who respond
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    Resposta: 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.

15. Pergunta 15 de 25

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

    • AAs "the offender" in every report
    • BAs "the criminal" so police understand quickly
    • CAs "this person" or "the suspect"
    • DAs "the thief" if property was involved
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    Resposta: 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."

16. Pergunta 16 de 25

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

    • AThey are blocked from leaving by two guards at the door
    • BThey are held in a back office with the door locked from outside
    • CThey answer questions voluntarily and are not restrained
    • DThey are told they cannot leave until the police arrive
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    Resposta: 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.

17. Pergunta 17 de 25

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

    • AThe person's pockets and all of the clothing they are wearing
    • BThe person's car if it is parked in the store's parking lot
    • CThe person's phone, including any photos and messages
    • DBags and packages they are holding, but not clothing worn
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    Resposta: 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.

18. Pergunta 18 de 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?

    • AOnly if the item taken is worth more than a set dollar amount
    • BOnly if the mall owners have a signed agreement with the store
    • COnly if the store's own manager is away on a break at the time
    • DAny time the guard is in uniform and on duty inside the mall
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    Resposta: 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.

19. Pergunta 19 de 25

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

    • AFor as long as the store manager decides is needed
    • BFor up to 24 hours if the store is still open
    • CUntil the person agrees to sign a written statement
    • DFor no more than one hour while waiting for police
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    Resposta: 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.

20. Pergunta 20 de 25

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

    • AOnly after the person has left the parking lot with the goods
    • BIn a reasonable manner and for no more than a reasonable time
    • CIn a locked room for at least two hours, so police can arrive
    • DWith handcuffs in every case, so that the person cannot leave
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    Resposta: 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.

21. Pergunta 21 de 25

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

    • AWeapons only
    • BStolen goods of any kind
    • CDrugs and cash
    • DIdentity documents
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    Resposta: 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.

22. Pergunta 22 de 25

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

    • AA class E felony
    • BA violation
    • CA class A misdemeanor
    • DA traffic infraction
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    Resposta: 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.

23. Pergunta 23 de 25

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

    • AOnly on the front door of the building
    • BOn the property's website
    • CInside the manager's office
    • DWhere they can reasonably be seen
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    Resposta: 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.

24. Pergunta 24 de 25

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

    • ACriminal impersonation
    • BSimple trespass
    • CPetit larceny
    • DHarassment in the second degree
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    Resposta: 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.

25. Pergunta 25 de 25

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

    • AOnly the police officers who came to the scene
    • BNobody, because guards cannot be sued for their work
    • COnly the person who was arrested by the guard
    • DThe guard, and the guard's employer as well
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    Resposta: 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.

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