California security guard laws: what your officer can and cannot do
Private security officers in California are not police, but they hold specific statutory powers most property owners never learn. Here are the actual rules.
Arrest authority — PC §837
Any private person (including a guard) may arrest for a public offense committed in their presence, or a felony not committed in their presence when reasonable cause exists.
Use of force — PC §693 & §694
Resistance may be sufficient to prevent the offense. Force must be reasonable and proportional. Deadly force by unarmed private security is not authorized outside strict self-defense.
Shopkeeper's privilege — PC §490.5
Merchants (or their agents, i.e., loss-prevention officers) may detain suspects for a reasonable time to investigate ownership of merchandise.
Trespass enforcement — PC §602
Guards acting as agents of the property owner can request removal; peace-officer authority is required for physical eviction beyond that.
Liability exposure
Property owners are jointly liable for negligent hiring under Restatement (Second) of Agency §213. This is why the BSIS check is not optional.
Sources
- CA Penal Code §§490.5, 602, 693, 694, 837
- Restatement (Second) of Agency §213
- CA B&P Code §7583
FAQ — California Security Guard Laws — Powers & Limits
Any private person (including a guard) may arrest for a public offense committed in their presence, or a felony not committed in their presence when reasonable cause exists.
Resistance may be sufficient to prevent the offense. Force must be reasonable and proportional. Deadly force by unarmed private security is not authorized outside strict self-defense.
Keep learning and vetting
Related buyer guides
- Guide: California Security Guard License — Everything to VerifyHow to verify a California security guard license, PPO, guard card, and firearms permit. Instant BSIS lookup steps inside.
- Guide: Armed vs Unarmed Security Guard — When Each WinsWhen you actually need an armed guard vs unarmed. Sacramento decision matrix by property type, cost delta, and insurance impact.
- Guide: How to Hire a Security Guard in SacramentoStep-by-step Sacramento security hiring guide: verify BSIS PPO, insurance, wages, dispatch, and MSA. Free vetting checklist inside.
- Guide: Security Guard Cost in Sacramento (2026)Sacramento security guard hourly rates for 2026: unarmed $28–$38, armed $38–$55, mobile patrol from $15/night. Sourced from BLS + BSIS.
- Guide: HOA Security Playbook — SacramentoSacramento HOA board playbook: patrol frequency, insurance, tour logs, resident comms, and the exact clauses to put in your MSA.
- Guide: Construction Site Security PlaybookSacramento construction site security playbook: copper theft, tool loss, fire watch, and the exact tour SLA to demand from your vendor.
Verified guards by suburb
- Verified security guard in RosevillePlacer County · BSIS-verified patrol from $15/night
- Verified security guard in RocklinPlacer County · BSIS-verified patrol from $15/night
- Verified security guard in FolsomSacramento County · BSIS-verified patrol from $15/night
- Verified security guard in Elk GroveSacramento County · BSIS-verified patrol from $15/night
Stormhammer vs the competition
- Stormhammer Security vs Aegis Elite Patrol Co.Head-to-head with Aegis Elite — pricing, dispatch, licensing
- Stormhammer Security vs Sentrymark Global ServicesHead-to-head with Sentrymark — pricing, dispatch, licensing
- Stormhammer Security vs Grayhaven Guard GroupHead-to-head with Grayhaven — pricing, dispatch, licensing
- Stormhammer Security vs Palladium Regional PatrolHead-to-head with Palladium Regional — pricing, dispatch, licensing