What authority do private security professionals have regarding arrests?

Private security professionals typically have the authority to make arrests only if a crime was committed in their presence. This is based on the principle of "citizen's arrest," which allows individuals who are not law enforcement officers to detain someone when they witness a felony or a misdemeanor that leads to a breach of the peace.

This limited authority ensures that private security can act to protect themselves and others while maintaining the rights of the individual being detained. They often serve as a first line of defense in preventing crime and ensuring safety on the premises they are assigned to, but their powers are not as extensive as those of police officers, who have specific legal training and authority under law enforcement statutes.

By allowing arrests only in direct response to witnessed criminal behavior, the law seeks to balance the need for security with the rights of individuals, and ensures that arrests are made based on direct observation rather than suspicion or assumption. Consequently, other options misrepresent the scope of authority granted to private security, either by overstating their power or significantly limiting it beyond legal context.