Arkansas Security Guard Practical Practice Exam

Who typically has the authority to enforce laws on private property?

1. State law enforcement officers

2. The property owner or their designated security personnel

3. Volunteers from the community

4. Local city officials

The correct answer is: The property owner or their designated security personnel

The authority to enforce laws on private property typically lies with the property owner or individuals designated by the owner, such as security personnel. This is because private property owners have the right to set rules and establish order on their premises. They can determine who has access to the property and under what conditions, which grants them the power to enforce specific regulations and policies. Private security personnel employed by the property owner are empowered to act within the limits established by the property owner, which may include intervening in disturbances, checking for unauthorized access, or managing compliance with the property’s rules. This enforcement is usually not equivalent to law enforcement, as security personnel do not have the same legal authority to arrest or detain individuals as law enforcement officers do outside of private property. In contrast, while state law enforcement officers and local city officials do have the authority to enforce laws, their jurisdiction typically pertains to public spaces rather than private property unless they are called to assist in response to a situation on private premises. Volunteers from the community, on the other hand, generally do not have any lawful authority to manage or enforce regulations on private property unless they have been specifically given that power by the property owner.