LA Security Guard cheat sheet

A private security officer is a private citizen with no police powers; arrest authority comes from citizen's arrest statutes and, in Louisiana, from limited merchant/security detention provisions (La. R.S. 14:63.3 for merchants; 14:63.4 for security personnel detaining on premises).

Citizen's arrest is lawful only when a felony has actually been committed and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person committed it, or when a misdemeanor amounting to a breach of the peace is committed in the officer's presence (La. C.Cr.P. art. 214).

Use of force in making a lawful arrest is judged under the same reasonableness standard as any citizen use of force; deadly force is not authorized merely to protect property (La. R.S. 14:19-14:22).

A private guard may not conduct a search incident to arrest with the same latitude as police; consent, plain view, exigency, or a valid merchant detention exception are the usual lawful bases.

Louisiana is a 'shall issue' concealed handgun permit state (La. R.S. 40:1379.1 et seq.); a guard carrying a firearm on duty generally needs a valid permit and employer authorization, and many posts require a specific armed guard license.

A guard's authority on private property derives from the property owner's delegation; once asked to leave by an owner or lawful occupant, the guard's authority over that person ends except for lawful arrest or detention purposes.

Miranda warnings apply to custodial interrogation by government agents; a private guard questioning a suspect generally is not required to give Miranda, but statements obtained by coercion may be inadmissible and expose the guard to civil liability.

Trespass after being forbidden (La. R.S. 14:63) and simple battery (14:35) are common charges arising from guard-citizen encounters; accurate statutory citation in reports strengthens prosecution and reduces civil exposure.

Louisiana self-defense law (La. R.S. 14:19) requires that the force used be reasonable under the circumstances and that the person reasonably believe force is necessary to prevent imminent harm; excessive force removes the justification.

Deadly force in self-defense is justified only against an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm, not to protect property, deter trespass, or prevent escape of a non-dangerous suspect (La. R.S. 14:20, 14:21).

The force continuum is a decision framework, not a mandatory ladder: presence, verbal direction, soft empty-hand control, hard empty-hand control, intermediate weapon, then deadly force, escalating only as the threat escalates.

Objective reasonableness (Graham v. Connor factors) considers the severity of the crime, whether the subject poses an immediate threat, and whether the subject is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight.

Duty to intervene: a guard who observes another guard using clearly excessive force has an obligation to stop it and report it; failure to intervene can create direct liability.

De-escalation tactics include time, distance, cover, tactical repositioning, calm verbal commands, and calling for police; these reduce legal risk and are expected before force when feasible.

After any force application, the guard should render aid within training, summon EMS, secure the scene, and document the force in a written report the same shift, including pre-force events.

A guard may use reasonable force to defend a third person from imminent unlawful force, but the guard steps into the shoes of the person defended and inherits any limitation on that person's right of self-defense.

Detention must be based on specific, articulable facts (e.g., observed concealment, matching description, alarm activation); a hunch, profile, or 'gut feeling' is not a lawful basis.

Under La. R.S. 14:63.3, a merchant or merchant's employee may detain a person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time on or near the premises to investigate suspected theft; the detention must be limited to investigation and immediate police notification.

The detention must end when the suspicion is resolved or police arrive; holding a person beyond a reasonable time, moving them to a hidden area, or using excessive restraint converts a lawful detention into false imprisonment or kidnapping exposure.

Consent searches require voluntary, unambiguous permission; the guard should document the exact words used, who gave consent, and the scope (e.g., 'bag only'), and stop if consent is withdrawn.

Plain view requires lawful presence at the observation point plus immediate apparent criminality of the item; discovery during an unlawful detention is tainted.

A pat-down for weapons requires reasonable suspicion the person is armed and dangerous; it is limited to a protective frisk for weapons, not a search for evidence.

Search of a vehicle generally requires consent or a recognized exception; a guard cannot order a person to open a trunk without a lawful basis and should call police instead.

A private guard may use reasonable force to make a lawful citizen's arrest but should not pursue fleeing suspects off the property or into traffic; the risk of liability usually outweighs the value of the apprehension.

Patrol fundamentals: vary routes and timing, check doors, windows, lighting, fences, and access points, and log each check with time and location to establish a documented baseline.

Observation standards: note what you actually perceived with your senses, separate fact from inference, and record descriptions using head-to-toe, clothing, vehicle, and direction-of-travel details.

Report structure: who, what, when, where, why, and how, plus actions taken, witnesses, evidence handled, and notifications made; chronological order with times is standard.

Write in first person, past tense, plain language; avoid conclusions ('he was drunk'), opinions, slang, and editorializing; instead write observed indicators ('odor of alcoholic beverage, slurred speech, unsteady gait').

Never alter a report after submission except with a dated, signed addendum; corrections should be a separate supplemental report, not an erased original.

Document the use of force, injuries, medical aid, and any handcuffing in the narrative and in the appropriate use-of-force section; omission creates credibility problems later.

Chain of custody: record each item seized or found, who handled it, when, and where it was secured; a broken chain can destroy evidentiary value.

Photographs, video, and notes are discoverable; write every report as if it will be read aloud in court, because it may be.

Life safety first, then incident stabilization, then property protection; rescue and evacuation take priority over securing valuables.

Fire response: activate the alarm, call 911, evacuate via designated routes, account for occupants at the assembly point, and never re-enter a burning structure.

Medical emergency: scene safety, check responsiveness and breathing, call 911, begin CPR/AED per training, and document times of collapse, CPR start, and AED use.

Active threat: Run-Hide-Fight doctrine-evacuate if safe, shelter and barricade if not, and fight only as a last resort; guards should not attempt solo confrontation of an armed attacker unless trained and equipped.

Bomb threat: remain calm, note exact wording, background noise, and caller characteristics, do not touch suspicious packages, and evacuate per protocol after notifying police.

Incident command basics: establish a single point of contact, communicate by radio with clear identifiers, and hand off command to responding police or fire upon arrival.

Post-incident: preserve the scene, separate witnesses, collect names and contact information, and complete documentation before end of shift.

Drills and pre-plans: know the location of fire panels, shutoffs, AEDs, and evacuation routes before an emergency occurs.

Radio protocol: identify yourself, state the nature of the problem, give location, then request resources; keep transmissions brief and use plain language, not codes, when interoperability matters.

De-escalation language: use the person's name, lower voice volume, slow speech, acknowledge feelings, offer choices within limits, and maintain a safe distance and exit route.

Report only observed facts to police and media; refer media inquiries to the designated spokesperson and never speculate about cause, fault, or identity.

Professional presence: uniform, badge, and identification visible; introduce yourself by name and role; explain the reason for contact and the person's options.

Bias awareness: treat all persons consistently regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or appearance; disparate treatment is a liability and a discipline issue.

Conflict management: separate the parties, reduce audience, and use reflective listening; physical intervention is a last resort after verbal attempts fail.

Documentation of complaints: log the complainant's name, contact, time, and nature of the complaint, and forward it to the supervisor; retaliation is prohibited.

Public trust is built through consistency: do what you say, arrive when promised, and explain delays.

Access control principle: identify, verify, authorize, and record; each step should be documented for sensitive areas.

Credential checks: compare photo, name, and expiration; a valid badge alone is not proof of authorization to a specific area-check the access list or escort requirement.

Tailgating and piggybacking are the most common access failures; use turnstiles, mantraps, or one-person-per-swipe rules, and politely challenge unfamiliar persons.

Visitor management: sign in, issue a badge, record host and purpose, and sign out; unescorted visitors in restricted areas are a reportable event.

Key control: log issuance and return, never leave keys unattended, and report lost keys immediately for rekeying or lock change.

Perimeter and lighting: check locks, alarms, cameras, and lighting on every patrol; report outages and damage in writing.

CCTV: cameras are evidence; know retention periods, do not obstruct views, and preserve footage immediately after an incident before it is overwritten.

Lockdown and evacuation procedures should be rehearsed; guards must know who has authority to order a lockdown and how to verify an all-clear.

Core ethical duties: honesty, impartiality, confidentiality, and lawful use of authority; the guard's power is delegated and limited.

Confidentiality: do not disclose client information, incident details, or personal data except to authorized persons or as legally required; unauthorized disclosure can create civil liability.

Conflicts of interest: do not accept gifts, gratuities, or outside employment that could influence judgment; disclose potential conflicts to the supervisor.

Civil liability theories: false imprisonment, assault, battery, negligence, defamation, and invasion of privacy; each arises from specific conduct and can be avoided by lawful basis and documentation.

Negligence elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages; a guard's duty is defined by the post orders, training, and reasonable care standard.

Vicarious liability: employers can be liable for employee acts within the scope of employment; guards should follow post orders and report misconduct to protect themselves and the employer.

Truthfulness in reports and testimony is non-negotiable; a single false statement can destroy credibility and lead to termination or prosecution.

Use of force and detention decisions should be defensible on the record: articulate the facts, the threat, the options considered, and the force used.

Hazard identification: look for slip/trip/fall risks, blocked exits, damaged electrical cords, chemical spills, poor lighting, and unsecured ladders; report and correct or barricade.

Personal protective equipment: wear what the task requires (gloves, eye protection, high-visibility vest, hearing protection) and inspect before use.

Bloodborne pathogens: use universal precautions, gloves, and eye protection; dispose of sharps in approved containers and report exposures immediately.

Fire safety: know the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) and only fight small, contained fires with a clear exit behind you.

Lone worker safety: check in on schedule, share location, and maintain radio or phone contact; report any missed check-in per protocol.

Ergonomics and lifting: lift with legs, keep the load close, avoid twisting, and get help for heavy or awkward loads.

Weather and environmental hazards: heat illness prevention (hydration, shade, rest), cold exposure, lightning, and flooding; know the site's severe-weather shelter locations.

Workplace violence prevention: recognize warning signs, report threats, and follow the site's threat-response plan; do not confront an armed or agitated person without backup.