Ace the New York State Security Guard Exam 2025 – Secure Your Success!

Detaining individuals is a significant responsibility for security guards, and it is crucial to understand the legal underpinnings of when such actions can be justified. When security guards witness a crime or offense in progress, they are permitted to detain the individuals involved. This authority stems from the need to prevent further criminal activity and to protect the safety of others.

In situations where a crime is occurring, security personnel can act to intervene and manage the situation until law enforcement arrives. This aligns with the principles of citizen’s arrest, where any person has the right to lawfully detain someone who has committed a crime in their presence. Therefore, being an eyewitness to a crime provides the necessary basis for legal detention, ensuring that security guards can fulfill their role in maintaining safety and security in their assigned area.

This justification does not extend to personal feelings regarding safety or non-compliance alone, as those situations do not inherently involve an active violation of the law.