Manitoba Security Guard Licence Practice Test – How to Apply, Train & Pass the Exam (2025 Guide)

A security guard is permitted to arrest an individual when they witness a crime being committed. This is aligned with the common law principle of "citizen's arrest," which allows individuals, including security personnel, to detain someone if they have directly observed that person committing an offense. This authority is grounded in the need to ensure immediate action can be taken to prevent further harm or loss, preserving evidence, and assisting law enforcement.

Witnessing a crime provides the guard with firsthand knowledge of the offense, which is crucial for justifying the arrest. Actions taken in such scenarios must also comply with local laws and regulations, ensuring the security guard acts within their authority and receives necessary training on how to perform an arrest safely and appropriately.

Other scenarios, such as having prior knowledge of an individual, receiving police approval, or merely suspecting someone of planning a crime, do not grant the same immediate authority to arrest since they lack the direct evidence of a crime taking place. These situations may involve different protocols and should ideally be managed by law enforcement rather than a security guard.