Arizona Security Guard Knowledge Practice Test 2026 - Free Security Guard Practice Questions and Study Guide

In Arizona, security guards are allowed to make arrests, but this authority is typically limited to situations where they have personally witnessed a crime being committed. This is known as a "citizen's arrest," which permits individuals to detain someone if they see them committing a felony or certain misdemeanors. The rationale behind this authority is to enable private citizens, like security guards, to intervene in criminal activities to maintain safety and order, especially in the environments they are tasked to protect.

Consequently, while the security guard must be observant and act responsibly, it is important for them to be aware of the legal implications and responsibilities that come with making an arrest, including the potential for legal repercussions if the arrest is deemed unlawful. This option emphasizes the nature of security work, where guards often serve as the first line of defense in preventing crime and ensuring safety, and reinforces the necessity of responding to ongoing criminal situations.

Other choices suggest restrictions that do not accurately portray the legal framework surrounding security guards' authority to act in critical situations. For instance, claiming they cannot arrest at all disregards the provision for citizen's arrests, and stating they need formal police training or to be armed does not align with the legal expectations surrounding their role in immediate situations.