Illinois Security Guard Practice Exam

What does "detaining" someone involve for a security guard?

1. Keeping them until they agree to leave

2. Holding until law enforcement arrives with reasonable suspicion

3. Questioning them in private

4. Restraining them for safety reasons

The correct answer is: Holding until law enforcement arrives with reasonable suspicion

Detaining someone as a security guard involves holding that individual until law enforcement arrives, provided there is reasonable suspicion to do so. This means that security personnel must have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe a person has engaged in criminal activity or is about to commit a crime. The purpose of this practice is to ensure safety and to allow trained law enforcement officers to handle the situation appropriately. Security guards are not authorized to make arrests but can intervene to prevent further issues or harm until professional authorities can take over. It's essential for security personnel to act within legal boundaries, ensuring that any detention is justified by reasonable suspicion, to avoid potential legal repercussions for unlawful detention. The concept also emphasizes the necessity of a prompt handover to law enforcement, highlighting the role of security personnel as first responders in a non-law enforcement capacity. This ensures both the safety of the individual in question and the security staff involved, as well as maintaining the overall integrity of the security process.