I could not respond to the other post, not sure why. ( http://policelink.monster.com/topics/16585-should-security-be-able-to-have-some-type-of-legal-arrest-authority/posts ).

So many people out there are closed minded.  They assume that Security Officers do not have enough training - or - "They are not a cop".  Come-on now...  I have not met a cop that gets more training than my Security Officers.  They get min. of 80hrs live weapons training, plus 120 hours classroom training a YEAR!  So, please dont jump on the "hell no they shouldn't" band wagon.  I have seen Police and Security Officers out there... and I am sure you have too...... I ask my self, where the hell do he recieve his training.  Some people deserve the badge and "power" and some do notI

 do not feel all security officers should have arrest powers, but I do feel those in a position, training and environment should have the ablility to arrest individuals that break the law on their private properties.

We currently detain people until the LLEO shows up, but it is a small differnce than an arrest.

FireDad6 says ...

Ok..Nuclear,  Not to burst your bubble, but LEO's get a whole lot more training that Security Personnel do.

I see you stated that Security are not a cop. Security is Security. Security people are NOT LEO's. Also in order to wear the badge I think that the person needs to earn it not expect to deserve it..

As far as detaining or arresting as some SG's put it. It is a huge liability and should be left to the LEO's. Security can detain someone IF they are properly trained to do so and work Loss Prevention.

I have been in the Security profession for 13 years and I have seen a lot. I have seen people that should not be in security, but I am not the one to judge them for it..

 

Good response, I knew they made you moderator for a reason. Aside from that I don't understand his profile, is he security or is he considering joining?

Nuclear,

I created the original post. Did so without really thinking about the consequences of it....The thread spun waay out of control and I specifically requested a moderator to LOCK it as it was no longer productive.

I have worn the LEO badge and an SG badge both before and after being LEO.... I have worked Nuclear Security. I understand your position, BUT there are waaaay too many SGs out there that simply are dangerous to themselves and society with nothing more than a flashlight and delusions of grandeur.

The security industry has a great many specialties nowadays, not unlike the LEO profession. However, while the 2 have much in common and cross over in many ways....for the most part I think you will find overwhelmingly from the folks here, both LEO and non-LEO, the answer is NO, Security (in general) should NOT have arrest authority.

Before this thread spins out, you might want to consider....A) deleting it or B) asking it be locked.

TRUST ME ON THIS.

Mike

I have to second what Firedad said. After watching the two "Yahoo's" in the Verizon store posing as security guards today, I have to say NO!

These two stood in the corner with their bluetooths and cell phones taking calls and playing games! WTF are you observing if your yapping with your girlfriend on the phone?!! Then one left the store completely to go have a conversation outside, while the other stood their playing games.

I was in Verizon for about an hour and the one Security guard didnt move out of the corner the ENTIRE TIME!  Neither one was aware of their surroundings, observing customers, etc. So if something went down, they wouldnt be able to report what had happend the moments proceeding.... 

Security guards are trained to be observant. I was watching them more than they were watching the entire store. But they were too busy listening to new ringtones, and texting to notice.me watching them. Hmmm.. whats wrong with that picture???? 

So to summarize... HELL NO, DONT GIVE THEM ARREST POWERS! IF I cant trust you to do the basics of your job, I sure as hell wouldnt trust you to detain and arrest anyone.

(disclaimer- I am sure there are better security guards in the field. I know I shouldnt base these two's behavior on all SG's. But I saw this topic and immediately thought about what I witnessed today. SO for you good ones, dont get your panties in a bunch.. I was refering to the others...)

NOT THIS SH*T AGAIN!!!! Is it that time of the month already? Seems like every month this same crap has to be brought up by somebody who is in Security and either doesn't have a clue or is too full of themselves. I'm right there with Firedad's answer (which was PERFECT). I've been doing every aspect of Security (minus nuke duty) for 11 years this month. Good training, bad training, arrest/detain, been there/done that. I've worked with great officers who went on to own their own companies and others who are now great cops, and I've worked with the Fife douchbags who give us all a bad name and who have no business breathing air, let alone wearing any kind of badge. In the end, apples and oranges are both fruits, but completely different kinds. DON'T compare police authority/tactics to security because you'll only make yourself look stupid. For the record (in case you didn't notice in you short time on PL) this is a BAD case of

Yep it's the quarterly Cops Vs. SGs again. Hey this many times must make it an epic saga by now.

It's his dead horse why isn't he coming back to defend it?

SEO says ...

KSP494 says ...

 

Yep it's the quarterly Cops Vs. SGs again. Hey this many times must make it an epic saga by now.

You know, we should make a PL movie skit on this subject. We could demonstrate why we answer the way we do. I think it would end up being an internet sensation!

Yes we should, the last time our growing frustration really started to show through we were reprimanded by a feisty hall monitor.

I am definetly riding the Hell No bandwagon on this one....

Please we already get ridiculed for being Security Officers, we do NOT want to add to the fire. 

I did security work for about 3 years before I went to the Police academy. I have seen some very respectable security companys and some that are just horrific. My old security chief was a retired Police chief. He ran his agency just like a Police department. He even had Police instructers come in and give us training. He also only hired People who could be Police Officers. Everyone I worked with back then ended up becoming cops.

Security have power on there property. They have the power to detain until the Police arrive. Other then that they do not need anymore power. There are far too many wanna be's (who can't be) who would abuse that power.