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Legal Authority FAQs

General educational answers about the role and legal limits of private security officers in Arizona.

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What can a private security guard legally do in Arizona?

An Arizona private security guard can perform lawful protective duties such as observing, patrolling, controlling access, documenting incidents, communicating property rules, asking unauthorized people to leave private property, contacting the client, and calling police, fire, or EMS. The exact assignment is also governed by the property owner’s authority, the security contract, written post orders, and the guard’s training.

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Can security guards detain or arrest someone in Arizona?

An Arizona security guard does not receive police arrest powers merely by being licensed or employed as a guard. State law expressly says guards are not peace officers and perform their duties as private citizens. Arizona does recognize a limited private-person arrest authority, but it applies only under specific statutory circumstances and should not be treated as routine security practice.

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