How much authority does a security guard actually have

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TANSTAAFL

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So basically:

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Or:
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aarondhgraham

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I'm not a fan of security guards,,,
Only because they are just like other folk,,,
Some being decent and others being complete arse-holes.

Since I can't tell the difference just by looking at them,,,
I assume the worst while hoping for the best

In general I'm not a fan of anyone who thinks they can lay hands on me,,,
That includes sworn officers of the law.

Many years back a Wal Mart security guard accused me of shoplifting,,,
My reply to his "I'm going to search your pockets." was "Over my dead body".

He got on his radio and I turned to leave the store,,,
I was met at the exit by two more.

One of them had some sense about him,,,
He very politely told me that they observed suspicious behavior from their catwalk.

Then he "asked me" if I would voluntarily empty my pockets.

Unfortunately I was feeling a bit belligerent by then,,,
And told him I was walking out that door and if they touched me,,,
One or more of them would be going to the hospital emergency room.

I know, I know, I could have handled it differently,,,
But I was angry at the first jerk and was itching for a fight.

By then the cops they had called arrived,,,
One cop was also somewhat cool about the thing,,,
After I asked him he explained to me that "he" did indeed have the authority to search me.

So, I decided to cool down and allow it,,,
They found nothing and after also searching my shopping bag,,,
They compared what I had to my receipt and found nothing was amiss at all.

The cop didn't apologize but did thank me for cooperating "with him",,,
The Wal Mart security folk didn't apologize either,,,
But the store manager certainly did.

I scored a $100.00 gift certificate when I went to see him the next day,,,
Turns out his people didn't document the event,,,
Even after they called the cops.

I have two friends who are security guards,,,
One is a dyed in the wool bully,,,
The other is a decent guy.

But you can't tell which is which by looking at them,,,
The bully looks like a church going choir boy,,,
The other looks like a true thug.

Just sayin'.

Aarond

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Snattlerake

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Now the city po po used to have the most authority when I was in police classes. I don't know about know. It was drilled into me the city police had not only state but could arrest on federal warrants, and in addition the local ordinances from their city. I think they could also enforce fish and game laws but I might be mistaken on that.

Anyway, the county sheriff cannot enforce city ordinances and the feds can only arrest on federal laws. The higher up, the less responsibility and power.

Some security guards did carry commission cards in the jurisdiction they operated in.
 

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