Montana Security Guard Licensure Practice Exam 2025 - Free Security Guard Licensure Practice Questions and Study Guide

A security guard is allowed to detain a suspect when they have probable cause to believe a crime has occurred. This means that the guard must have a reasonable set of facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that a crime has taken place. Probable cause is a legal standard that requires more than just a vague suspicion; it demands that the guard has specific, articulable facts that indicate wrongdoing.

This authority is typically grounded in the common law principle of a citizen's arrest, where a private citizen, including a security guard, has the right to detain an individual if they believe that person has committed a felony. In Montana, like many other states, security personnel are granted this power under certain conditions, but they must be cautious to ensure that their judgment is based on credible evidence and not on assumptions or biases.

While consent from law enforcement or witnessing a crime in progress can sometimes bolster a guard's position in detaining someone, the crucial factor is the presence of probable cause to act on suspicions of criminal behavior. This standard helps protect both the rights of the detainee and the legal standing of the security guard.