CA Security Guard cheat sheet

A security guard's arrest authority equals that of a private person under California Penal Code 837; guards are not peace officers.

A private person may arrest for a felony committed in the guard's presence, for a felony not in presence when there is reasonable ground, and for a misdemeanor committed in presence.

A citizen's arrest requires probable cause that the person committed the offense; suspicion alone supports only a brief investigative detention where lawful.

Before arrest, identify yourself and state the reason for the arrest; if the person resists, use only reasonable force.

After arrest, deliver the person to a peace officer without unnecessary delay and provide a statement of the facts.

Merchant's privilege under Penal Code 490.5 permits reasonable detention of a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time to investigate.

Guards may not arrest for infractions and may not enter a private residence to arrest without consent or legal authority.

An unlawful detention or arrest can expose the guard and employer to civil liability for false imprisonment, battery, and civil rights violations.

Force must be objectively reasonable under the totality of circumstances, judged from the perspective of a reasonable guard at the scene.

Deadly force is justified only to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to self or others; it is never justified solely to protect property.

Escalation options in order: presence, verbal direction, empty-hand control, less-lethal tools, lethal force.

De-escalation using time, distance, cover, and communication must be used when feasible before force is applied.

A guard has no duty to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense but must not use force to retaliate or punish.

A guard must intervene when feasible to stop another person's excessive force and must report it.

After any use of force, render aid, call for medical help, notify a supervisor, and complete a written report.

Reasonableness factors include the severity of the crime, immediate threat, active resistance, and the number of subjects and guards.

Communication has verbal (words), vocal (tone and volume), and visual (body language) components; all three should convey the same message.

Use open posture, visible hands, appropriate eye contact, and a calm, low tone to reduce perceived threat.

Active listening includes paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting the speaker's feelings before responding.

Use 'I' statements and neutral language; avoid commands like 'calm down' and avoid insulting or judgmental words.

Personal space zones: intimate 0 to 18 inches, personal 1.5 to 4 feet, social 4 to 12 feet, public over 12 feet; use social distance for strangers.

Radio traffic: identify your unit, give your location, state the nature of the incident, state what you need, then await acknowledgment.

Ask open-ended questions to gather facts and closed questions to confirm details.

Cultural and language differences may require interpreters, simple words, and patience; avoid slang and jargon.

Report facts, not opinions: describe actions, words, and physical evidence; avoid labels such as 'suspicious' without supporting detail.

Include who, what, when, where, why, and how; write in first person, past tense, and chronological order.

Note exact times, locations, lighting, weather, and distances, plus names and contact information for witnesses.

Record verbatim statements in quotation marks and identify who said what.

Describe persons head to toe: sex, race, age, height, weight, hair, eyes, scars, tattoos, clothing, and gait.

Corrections: draw a single line through errors, initial and date them; never erase, white out, or rewrite a finished report.

Chain of custody: document each transfer of evidence, including who, what, when, where, and why.

Observation accuracy improves with focused attention, note-taking soon after the event, and avoiding discussion with other witnesses before writing.

A guard's professional appearance, courtesy, and calm manner create trust and reduce conflict.

Treat all people equally; bias, profiling, and discriminatory language create liability and damage public trust.

Handle complaints by listening, acknowledging, avoiding argument, making no promises, and referring the person to a supervisor.

Provide service such as directions, lost-person assistance, first aid, and general information.

Media: give no statements; refer all reporters to the supervisor or designated public information officer.

Explain rules and requests in a respectful, concise manner and give the person a reasonable chance to comply.

Build relationships with tenants, employees, and regular visitors; familiarity improves cooperation and information sharing.

Identify crowd type: casual, sightseer, expressive, aggressive, or mob; the required response level rises with the threat.

Establish and maintain a perimeter, ingress and egress routes, and an escape path; avoid being surrounded.

Give clear warnings with time, routes, and consequences before dispersal; repeat the warnings and document that they were given.

Lawful assembly and free speech are protected; force and dispersal require unlawful conduct or imminent violence.

Work in teams with designated roles: contact, cover, communications, and command.

Use barriers and visible presence first; less-lethal tools require training and specific justification.

Monitor crowd mood, density, leaders, and alcohol or drug use; request additional resources early.

Avoid individual confrontations; separate agitators from the crowd and document identities when safe to do so.

Obey subpoenas; notify the supervisor, review reports, and arrive early in professional dress.

Swear or affirm to tell the truth; perjury is a crime and destroys credibility.

Answer only the question asked; do not volunteer information, guess, or argue with counsel.

Say 'I don't know' or 'I don't recall' rather than guessing; if you use notes to refresh memory, opposing counsel may ask to see them.

Speak clearly and loudly enough for the judge and jury; address the judge as 'Your Honor.'

Remain calm and polite under cross-examination; pause after each question and think before answering.

Testify to what you personally observed; distinguish facts from hearsay and opinion.

Know the sequence: direct examination, cross-examination, redirect examination, and recross-examination.

Fire response uses RACE: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm the building, Contain the fire, and Evacuate or Extinguish if safe.

Fire extinguisher use follows PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Medical emergency: ensure scene safety, call 911, check responsiveness and breathing, start CPR or use an AED, and obtain consent if the person is conscious.

Earthquake: Drop, cover the head and neck, and hold on; after shaking stops, evacuate and check for injuries.

Bomb threat: do not touch suspicious items; note caller details, evacuate the area, and call 911.

Evacuation: use designated routes, proceed to the assembly area, conduct a headcount, and keep exits clear.

Active shooter: Run if safe, Hide if escape is impossible, Fight only as a last resort; call 911 when safe.

Emergency report: state what happened, the exact location, injuries, the number of people involved, and your name and callback number.