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US Security Guard License Exams (Florida Class D, New York, California, Texas)

Arrest powers (CA): practice questions

Our US Security Guard bank has 11 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1 · California

After a citizen's arrest in California, the guard must:

  1. Call police without unreasonable delay and note the times
  2. Question the suspect for as long as is needed to get a statement
  3. Wait until the end of the shift and then make one call
  4. Hold the suspect so that the supervisor can interview them first
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A. Call police without unreasonable delay and note the times — Contact police without delay and record when the arrest was made and when police were called. Unreasonable delay can be illegal detention.

Question 2 · California

A guard hears a window break, runs over and is told by teenagers, 'He did it.' Can the guard make a misdemeanor citizen's arrest?

  1. Yes, two witnesses saying he did it are enough
  2. Yes, if the person cannot explain himself
  3. Yes, if the client wants charges filed
  4. No; it did not happen in the guard's presence
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D. No; it did not happen in the guard's presence — A misdemeanor citizen's arrest requires the offense to be committed or attempted in the arresting person's presence.

Question 3 · California

During a lawful frisk for weapons, a guard finds what feels like drugs. The guard should:

  1. Leave it and tell the police when they arrive
  2. Remove it and keep it as evidence for police
  3. Throw it away so that nobody else can use it
  4. Ask the person to empty out all their pockets
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A. Leave it and tell the police when they arrive — Contraband found while frisking for weapons should be left alone and reported to police on arrival.

Question 4 · California

When making a citizen's arrest in California, the guard should tell the person:

  1. Nothing until police arrive
  2. The arrest, the charge and the guard's authority
  3. Only that they must wait there for the store manager
  4. That they will now be searched for evidence of the crime
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B. The arrest, the charge and the guard's authority — The manual: tell the subject of the intention to arrest, the cause and the authority to make the arrest.

Question 5 · California

Is a California security guard ever required to make a citizen's arrest?

  1. Yes, for any felony on the property
  2. No, a guard is never obligated to make one
  3. Yes, whenever the client demands that an arrest be made
  4. Yes, whenever a misdemeanor is seen being committed
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B. No, a guard is never obligated to make one — Guards are never obligated to make a citizen's arrest. Their first duty is prevention, then to observe and report.

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