What Can Security Guards Legally Do in California?

In California, security guards can watch, deter, report, ask trespassers to leave and, in limited situations, make a private person's arrest, but they are not police officers. What a guard may do depends on state law, the guard's BSIS registration and permits, and the written rules the property owner and security company set for that site.

Key takeaways

• Security guards in California must be registered with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and work for a licensed company or employer.

• Guards must complete Power to Arrest training, 32 hours of security officer skills training within six months and 8 hours of continuing training every year.

• Guards have the same arrest powers as any private person under Penal Code 837, not police powers.

• Batons, tear gas and firearms each require a separate BSIS permit and training.

• Property owners should spell out what guards may and may not do in written post orders.

What can a security guard legally do in California?

A California security guard's main job is to protect people and property by observing, deterring and reporting. Guards can patrol, control access, check IDs where the owner allows it, ask people to follow property rules, ask trespassers to leave on the owner's behalf, write reports and call police. They act as the property owner's agent, not as law enforcement.

Typical duties a guard may perform:

• Patrol buildings, parking lots and common areas.

• Control who enters a gate, lobby or job site.

• Enforce property rules set by the owner, such as hours or parking rules.

• Ask people who are not allowed on the property to leave.

• Write daily activity and incident reports.

• Call 911 and help police and firefighters when they arrive.

Can security guards arrest or detain someone in California?

Security guards can make a private person's arrest, the same as any citizen, under California Penal Code 837. That law allows an arrest for a public offense committed or attempted in the person's presence, or for a felony that was actually committed when there is reasonable cause to believe the person did it. Guards should use this power rarely and carefully.

Retail settings have one added rule. Penal Code 490.5 lets a merchant, or the merchant's employee or agent, detain a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner when there is probable cause. Many property owners still choose an "observe and report" policy because any arrest or detention carries legal and safety risks.

BSIS requires every guard to complete Power to Arrest training before the guard registration is issued. That course covers when a private arrest is allowed and how to handle it safely.

Can security guards remove trespassers?

Yes, on the owner's behalf. California Penal Code 602 lists many forms of trespass, and a guard can tell someone they are not allowed on the property and ask them to leave. If the person refuses, the guard should document it and call police rather than use force, unless the post orders and the law clearly allow more.

Signs, written authorization from the owner and clear post orders make trespass enforcement much smoother. Police are more able to act when the owner has documented that the person was told to leave.

What can't security guards do?

Security guards cannot act like police officers. They cannot pull over drivers, search people or belongings without consent, hold someone without legal grounds or use more force than is reasonable. They also cannot carry a baton, tear gas or a firearm on duty without the matching BSIS permit and training.

| Action | Allowed? | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Observe and report | Yes | Core duty at every post | | Ask trespassers to leave | Yes | On the owner's behalf, per post orders | | Private person's arrest | Limited | Only as Penal Code 837 allows | | Detain suspected shoplifter | Limited | Merchant rule in Penal Code 490.5 | | Search a person without consent | No | Not a police power | | Carry baton or tear gas | Only with permit | BSIS permit and training required | | Carry a firearm | Only with permit | BSIS firearms permit required |

What training do California security guards need?

According to BSIS, a security guard applicant must be at least 18, pass a California DOJ and FBI background check and complete Power to Arrest training. Within the first six months, the guard must complete 32 hours of security officer skills training, then 8 hours of continuing training every year. Guards must carry their registration card while on duty.

Armed guards also need a BSIS firearms permit, and guards who carry a baton or tear gas need separate training and permits. Our guide on armed vs. unarmed security guards explains how to choose between the two.

How should property owners set guard limits?

Property owners should set guard limits in written post orders that say exactly what guards should do and what they should not do. Good post orders cover trespass steps, when to call police, whether guards may detain anyone and how to report incidents. Clear limits protect tenants, guards and the owner.

Our guide on what to include in security post orders walks through each section.

What do Baldwin Park property managers ask most about guard powers?

Baldwin Park has a mix of shopping centers, apartments, industrial sites and offices, and managers often ask the same questions: Can a guard remove people loitering after hours? Can a guard stop a shoplifter? The usual answer is that guards can ask people to leave, document what happens and call police, while detentions follow strict rules.

Baldwin Park owners can see local coverage on our Baldwin Park security services page, or learn about our unarmed security guards.

Frequently asked questions

Are security guards allowed to touch people in California?

Only when the law allows it, such as during a lawful private person's arrest or in self-defense, and only with reasonable force. Most post orders tell guards to avoid physical contact.

Can a security guard check my ID?

A guard can ask for ID where the property owner requires it, such as at a gate or front desk. If you refuse, the guard can deny entry but cannot force you to show ID.

Do security guards have to tell police about an arrest?

Yes. A person who makes a private arrest must turn the arrested person over to police or a magistrate without unnecessary delay.

Can a guard search my bag?

Not without your consent. A store or venue can make bag checks a condition of entry, and you can decline and leave.

How do I check that a guard is registered?

Search the guard's name or registration number on the California DCA license search. The security company's PPO license should also be active.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Speak with an attorney about your specific situation.

About the author

Samantha Stephens leads SGV Patrol, a security company serving the San Gabriel Valley since 2012. SGV Patrol is Licensed, BSIS PPO #17353. You can verify our license on the California DCA license search.

Get guards trained for your property's rules

Want guards who know exactly what they can and cannot do at your site? Call SGV Patrol at (626) 727-1592 for a security assessment. Calls are answered 24/7.

Sources: California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, Security Guard Registration fact sheet (revised January 2022); California Penal Code sections 490.5, 602, 837 and 847.

Cover photo: "Baldwin Park City Hall Complex" by ASDFGH, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.