Washington State Security Guard License Practice Exam

Under which circumstance is a security guard authorized to make a citizen's arrest?

1. If the suspect is known to the guard

2. If they suspect a theft in progress

3. If they witness a felony in progress

4. If there is a disturbance nearby

The correct answer is: If they witness a felony in progress

A security guard is authorized to make a citizen’s arrest primarily when they witness a felony in progress. This authority is granted because observing a felony act allows the guard to reasonably believe that immediate action is necessary to prevent further criminal activity or to ensure public safety. Witnessing such an event provides the guard with firsthand knowledge of the crime, which is a critical factor in justifying the arrest. In this context, the other scenarios do not provide enough legal basis for a citizen’s arrest. For example, knowing a suspect (the first option) does not necessarily justify an arrest unless the guard has witnessed a crime. Suspecting theft in progress (the second option) lacks the concrete evidence required for a lawful arrest, as suspicion alone does not meet the threshold of witnessing a crime. Lastly, simply being aware of a disturbance (the fourth option) does not imply that a crime is occurring and can complicate the situation without clear legal grounds for intervention. Therefore, witnessing a felony in progress is the only circumstance under which a security guard can act with an authority level similar to law enforcement in making a citizen’s arrest.