A security guard effects a lawful citizen's arrest. The suspect resists. What force standard applies to the private person?
Explanation
A private person making a lawful arrest may use reasonable force necessary to effect and maintain the arrest, consistent with §835's restraint authority and common-law tort principles. Deadly force (a) is reserved for extremely narrow circumstances (defense of life) and exposes the guard to grave criminal and civil liability. Releasing on any resistance (c) would defeat arrest authority. The peace-officer use-of-force statute §835a (d) addresses peace officers specifically — its reasonable-force principles inform civil standards but private security does not enjoy peace-officer immunities.
Law Reference: Cal. Penal Code §835; common-law reasonable-force standardThis topic, taught in full in the California Guard Card (BSIS Security Guard) guide. California Guard Card — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $9.99 · 14-day refund →
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