Important Points to Remember…
- A security guard/proprietary private security officer is NOT a peace officer.
- A security guard/proprietary private security officer’s primary responsibility should be to protect the property or persons he or she is assigned to protect.
- The main role of a security guard/proprietary private security officer should be PREVENTION.
If prevention is not possible, the role of a security guard/proprietary private security officer should be to OBSERVE and REPORT.
In reporting activity, a FACT is an event that actually occurs. A CONCLUSION is a belief one reaches as a result of the existence of certain facts.
A security guard/proprietary private security officer is an agent of the property owner and can question people on the owner’s property.
A security guard/private security officer may prevent someone from entering private property by standing in his way.
A security guard/proprietary private security officer should not touch an employee’s belongings when inspecting them.
A security guard/proprietary private security officer’s power to arrest is the same as any other private person’s.
CRIMINAL LIABILITY refers to criminal penalties that can be imposed for a wrongful act. For example, carrying a loaded weapon concealed in your jacket is a violation of the Penal Code; the criminal penalty for the offense is a fine or jail sentence or both.
CIVIL LIABILITY refers to penalties arising from lawsuits that private persons bring against each other.
A security guard’s registration card does not allow the security guard to carry a weapon; the security guard must also have a valid exposed firearm permit and/or a baton certificate. It is ILLEGAL to carry a firearm without a firearm permit and a valid security guard registration. It is ILLEGAL to carry a baton without a baton permit and a valid security guard registration.
A proprietary private security officer’s registration card does not allow the proprietary private security officer to carry a weapon.
A firearm permit and/or a baton permit cannot be issued a PPSO registrant.