Can a security guard make arrests?

Security guards are typically authorized to make arrests only under specific circumstances. This authority often comes from the scope of their employment and is defined by the law or the policies set forth by their employer. In Kentucky, as in many states, security guards have the power to detain individuals if they witness a crime being committed or if they have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred.

This means that while they do not have the same law enforcement powers as police officers, they can act to prevent an ongoing crime or to protect property. The security guard's actions must align with the regulations laid out by the state and their employer's policies, ensuring that the arrest is made in a lawful manner and with appropriate justification. This is why the answer reflecting that security guards can make arrests under specific, defined circumstances is accurate.

The other responses suggest either unrestricted powers or complete lack of authority, both of which do not reflect the nuanced role security guards play in law enforcement and public safety.