What Are The Legal Authorities of The Security Guards

Corporations and businesses need security guards to ensure the protection of their property and employees. Security guards like guardian security guard help in keeping criminals away from your place. They also help in dealing with issues that are difficult to handle.

The tasks of the security guards are almost similar to the police officials. Sometimes, people also believe that security guards have the same legal authority just like police officers. Here, in this article, we are going to discuss various things that security guards can do and can’t do:

What Are The Authorities Of Security Guards And What They Can’t Do

Business owners hire guardian security guard to ensure their protection against crime and violence, but they do not have all legal authority. It means that there are some things that they can’t do because they are not authoritative. This statement raises doubts and queries about what they can and can’t do. Precisely, the security guards can voluntarily arrest a citizen. But it only applied when their suspicion is valid.

What They Can and Can’t Do

• Can Perform a Citizen’s Arrest

If a security guard wants to legally arrest a citizen, then it is important to meet some kind of legal requirements. It is so because the security guards have to validate their actions. If the security guards fail to validate their actions, then the citizen can file charges against the security guards.

On the other hand, if you have arrested someone who has committed a crime and you have reasonable grounds for arresting him, then it is legally allowed. The security guards should have a valid reason for detaining someone. Otherwise, they may have to face a big problem. The security guards are efficiently trained to use their power in right place. Security guards like Guardian Group Services can help police officers to arrest the right person.

• Can Do Surveillance And Write Reports

The duties of security guards can vary depending on the type of business or event they are working at. However, some common duties include monitoring surveillance equipment, patrolling the premises, and writing reports. Additionally, security guards may be responsible for providing customer service, handling crowd control, or detaining trespassers. The security guards have to keep their eyes on a passerby and make sure that they are not going to do any harm to property and people. There are so many guardian security benefits as they ensure the protection of the building by doing patrolling and surveillance.

• Cannot Apply Excessive Force

The security guards are not allowed to use excessive force while arresting any citizen. In simple terms, they are not allowed to use an unreasonable amount of force. They should use physical strength only when the suspect resists. But still, they should not use their strength above a certain limit. Moreover, the security guards are allowed to restrain the suspect until police overtake the situation. Security guards are not allowed to escalate it further. 

• Can Request a Physical Search

The security guards are allowed to make a request for a physical search of things that you are carrying along with you. They can do it only when someone wants to enter or exit the premises. But usually, security guards request for physical search when they are instructed to do so or when they are doubtful. If some rejects to do so, then security guards may not allow their entrance inside the premises. Moreover, they can also detain you if they got something against you as proof.

• Cannot Carry a Dangerous Weapon

Though the guardian security guards are of two types, armed security guards and unarmed security guards. Unarmed security guards cannot carry a lethal weapon with them because they are not allowed to do so. These security guards do not have more power as compared to the general public in terms of the law. Unarmed security guards cannot carry or display any kind of weapon like batons, guns, pepper spray, etc. Only armed security guards are allowed to carry the guns. But, these kinds of security guards have to pass the eligibility criteria. Also, they should follow some kinds of rules and regulations while carrying weapons.

Conclusion

You might see a security guard at the mall, office building, or other high-traffic places, but do you really know what they do? The truth is that there are many misconceptions about security guards and their responsibilities. By reading the above, you may have understood what security guards can and can’t do It will help you to make informed decisions in the future. Sometimes, the security guards have to face adverse situations. In these cases, the security guards should follow the rules. It is important for all security guards to take the necessary training.