Do Security Guards Have the Same Authority as Police?

Reliablecounter Team

Protection of the public. That’s the ultimate goal of police officers and security guards alike. Both professionals have some overlap – especially as officers who enforce the law. However, the authority of a security guard company certainly differs from police. Knowing the details of their roles is important in discerning how much authority a security guard and a police officer have. See what they are here.

 

Key Differences Between Security Guards & a Police Officer

The Required Qualifications

Compared to police officers, security guards don’t need a lot of requirements to pursue a career in it. If you wish to apply to a security guard company, all you need is the following:

  • You’re a citizen or permanent resident of the country you reside.
  • Having a high school diploma or GED.
  • Pass a criminal background check.
  • Obtain a security license.
  • Physically capable of fulfilling duties.
  • Exceptional verbal & written communication skills in English.
  • Must be of legal age in your area.

Meanwhile, a police officer requires more qualifications to become one. Despite only needing to be 18 years of age, you must be fluent in English and hold a certain type of driver’s license. This license must allow full driving privileges – so it only can have a maximum of six demerit points. In addition, they must acquire a valid CPR certification.

Plus, police officers have a more in-depth qualification process for their background checks and physical capabilities. For background checks, they want to see if you have good character. One way they do this is by ensuring you have no criminal conviction and no pending charges. Meanwhile, they know if you’re physically capable by testing your abilities. Typically, it’s to see if you’re meeting vision and hearing standards.

 

Type of Training

Again, like qualifications, training for security guards isn’t as long and intensive as for police. Depending on the security guard company, their training time might vary. Based on how many duties your role might require and possible special training. However, to get a good idea of how long training takes for security guards is a minimum of 40 hours. As for police officers, it can span over six months. It generally takes longer to become a police officer since it covers more theoretical concepts like ethical values, handling weapons and even basic military training.

 

Level of Enforcement

The level of enforcement distinguishes between a police officer and a security guard the most. There are limitations to a security guard’s authority. Since they’re hired to protect property and the people in it, they’re meant only to enforce policies and respond the criminal activity. Responding to unlawful activity entails usually de-escalating them and escorting said individuals off the premises. With serious illegal activity, they can detain someone until the police arrive. It’s in those scenarios where the police can enforce the law. Police officers can arrest and charge a person that’s committed a crime – but a security guard cannot.

 

Security Guards & Police Officers: A United Authorities

Even though security guards have less authority than police officers, they’re instrumental in helping them a lot. Security guards are always the first to respond to criminal activity. After all, police can’t be everywhere! One of the best things about a security guard is not only their ability to respond to criminal activity – but act as a physical deterrent to them. A security guard’s mere presence has been shown to help reduce crimes, which helps maintain order. In this way, security guards make police officers’ jobs easier by letting them focus on bigger crime cases. Furthermore, when a security guard responds to a crime and detains someone, they’re great at helping provide necessary information for police. In turn, security guards can help solve crimes with police and ensure justice is served.

 

As you can see, police and security guards have varying levels of authority. Police have more power for the most part. But despite a security guard’s limits, they do exude enough authority to deter crime – which helps police. Since their work is similar, the overlap naturally has them working together at times. When these two authorities come together, they stop crime in their tracks and effectively uphold the public’s protection.