Which statement best describes the arrest powers of licensed security officers?

• A. They may exercise general police powers
• B. They are not granted police powers regarding arrest
• C. They can arrest for any offense committed on-site
• D. They have the same authority as sworn law enforcement

Answer: (B)

Licensed security officers do not have general police powers. Their authority to arrest is limited and does not equal sworn law enforcement. They can detain someone briefly on-site to prevent harm or preserve evidence and must hand the person over to the police for formal arrest. They’re there to deter, observe, and report, not to execute the broad arrests that police officers perform. (In some places there may be very limited citizen’s arrest provisions, but these do not grant police powers.)