What Security Guards Can and Can't Do in California | Legal Guide

As a business owner or someone managing a residential building in California, it’s common to get concerned while hiring security guard services. The last thing you would want is for your employees, clients, residents, or visitors to get uneasy around a standing security guard. 

That’s why understanding the legal boundaries of what a security guard can and cannot do in California is so important. As a top security guard services company, Safeguard On Demand often encounters many questions, from “Can a security guard touch or handcuff someone?” to “Are they allowed to carry firearms or detain trespassers?”  

These concerns are not just valid but critical to address before you make any hiring decision. In this blog, we break down in detail what California security guards can and can’t do legally. 

Whether you’re hiring for a gated community or a commercial facility, this insightful guide will help you make choices that balance both safety and professionalism. 

What are Professional Security Guard Services?

Professional security guard services involve the deployment of licensed personnel to safeguard properties, people, and assets. These guards are trained to observe, deter threats, respond quickly to security incidents, and coordinate with law enforcement authorities without overstepping legal boundaries. 

In California, all security guards must be licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Depending on their training and licensing, they may be unarmed, armed, or patrol guards.  

Questions that Will Answer What California Security Guards Can and Can’t Do Legally?

Let’s address some of the most frequently searched and asked legal concerns regarding security guards in California,

1. Can Security Guards Touch You in California?

Security guards are allowed to touch you only under specific, lawful conditions, such as detaining someone for trespassing or preventing harm. However, they cannot use physical force without reasonable cause.  

Any physical contact beyond necessary restraint could be considered assault. If you’re asking, “Can security guards touch you in California?”, then the answer is yes, but only if justified by law.

2. Can a Security Guard Arrest You?

No, a security guard isn’t a police officer, but under California law, they can perform a citizen’s arrest if they witness a crime or have reasonable cause. Once detained, the suspect must be handed over to law enforcement immediately.  

Guards are trained to observe and detain legally and not to investigate or interrogate anyone.

3. Can Security Guards Carry Guns in California?

Yes, but only licensed armed guards can carry firearms. To legally carry a gun, a California security guard must complete a firearm training course and obtain a BSIS firearm permit.  

If you’re searching “Can security guards carry guns in California?” then the answer is yes, but with strict licensing requirements.

4. Can a Security Guard Detain You for Trespassing?

Yes, security guards can detain you for trespassing if you refuse to leave private property when asked. California law permits guards to detain a person under a citizen’s arrest for violating trespassing laws, especially in gated communities, office complexes, and commercial buildings.  

So, the answer to this common question is yes, but only if you refuse to leave after being warned.

5. Can Security Guards Handcuff You?

Security guards in California can use handcuffs only when necessary, such as during a citizen’s arrest, if someone poses a threat, or may flee. Misuse of handcuffs can result in legal issues.  

Guards must be properly trained and certified in restraint techniques to ensure the safe and lawful handling of individuals during incidents.

6. Can Security Guards Follow You Off the Property in California?

No, a California security guard generally cannot follow or pursue someone off the property they are hired to protect. Their legal authority ends at the boundaries of that property. Unless the guards are witnessing a crime and performing a lawful citizen’s arrest, following someone off-site may violate privacy rights and result in legal consequences.  

Trained guards will always act within legal limits to avoid overstepping.

7. Can Security Guards Search Your Bags in California?

Security guards in California are not law enforcement and cannot search your bags without permission. However, if you’re entering a venue, store, or workplace where bag checks are part of a posted policy, your consent is implied upon entry. 

Without your approval or probable cause, any forced search may violate your rights and result in legal liability for the security guard or their employer.

8. Can Security Guards Ask for ID In California?

Yes, a security guard in CA can ask for your ID, especially on private property. However, you’re not legally obligated to show it unless you’re being lawfully detained. Guards at clubs, gated communities, or offices may deny access if ID is refused, but they cannot force compliance.  

Knowing your rights helps you to ensure that the interactions with guards are professional and lawful.

9. Can A Security Guard Issue A Ticket or Citation in California?

No, a California security guard cannot issue a legal ticket or citation like a police officer. However, in private properties such as parking lots, guards may issue internal notices or warnings.  

These are not enforceable by law but may carry consequences like towing or restricted access to that private property.

10. Can Security Guards Use Force in California?

Yes, security guards in California can use physical force, but only if it is reasonable and necessary. They can use force in cases of self-defense, preventing a crime, or detaining a suspect during a citizen’s arrest. Excessive or unjustified force is illegal and may lead to criminal or civil penalties.  

Properly trained California security guards focus on de-escalation and only use force when absolutely required. 

What Security Guards are Strictly Not Allowed to Do in California? 

While security guards in California play a crucial role in maintaining safety, there are clear legal boundaries they must never cross. Understanding what they are strictly not allowed to do helps prevent legal liabilities and ensures professional conduct on your property. 

Here’s what California security guards cannot do legally, 

• Impersonate a police officer or wear a uniform resembling law enforcement. 

• Conduct searches of bags, vehicles, or persons without consent. 

• Use excessive or unjustifiable force in any situation. 

• Carry firearms or other weapons without a valid BSIS-issued license. 

• Enter any private property without explicit permission from its owner.   

• Make arrests without direct cause or beyond legal citizen’s arrest authority. 

The line between protection and overreach is thin. That’s why hiring a professionally trained and licensed security guard in CA is essential to maintaining both legal compliance and peace of mind. 

Hire Trained and Licensed California Security Guards from Safeguard On Demand 

At Safeguard On Demand, the best security guard service company in California, we know that safety goes beyond the presence of a professional. It’s about professionalism, preparedness, skills, and respect for legal boundaries. Our California security guards are fully licensed, background-checked, and trained to handle everything from routine patrols to high-risk situations. 

Whether you manage a gated residential community, retail store, construction site, or commercial property, we tailor our security solutions to your specific needs. We emphasize not only visible deterrence but also providing security guards who know the legal boundaries and understand the importance of respectful engagement with individuals. 

Looking for security guards near you anywhere in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento, or other areas across California? Trust Safeguard On Demand, the leading security guard services company in California, for both peace of mind and professional conduct. 

Let’s talk safety that respects the law. Contact us today for a custom security plan. 

Contact Us 

Phone: (800) 640-2327  

Email: INFO@SAFEGUARDONDEMAND.COM