Use of ForceQuestion 90 of 200
Synthesizing the chapter: which statement BEST summarizes a private security guard's use-of-force authority in California?
a.Guards have peace-officer authority on private property
b.Guards may use reasonable force, proportionate to the threat, to defend themselves, defend others, prevent the offense (PC §§692-694), and effect a lawful private-person arrest (PC §§835, 837), with delivery to police without unnecessary delay (§847); deadly force only on reasonable belief of imminent death/SBI; de-escalation preferred
c.Guards may use any force authorized by the property owner
d.Guards may use force matching the suspect's perceived bias level
Explanation
The integrated rule: a guard may use force that is (1) reasonable, (2) proportionate to the threat, (3) for a lawful purpose (self-defense PC §692, defense of others PC §694, lawful arrest PC §§835, 837), and (4) not exceeding what is necessary. Restraint authority terminates when the threat or resistance ends. Deadly force is reserved for imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. De-escalation is the preferred first approach (§835a(a)(2)). Delivery to police follows under §847. Options (a), (c), (d) collapse the framework and substitute peace-officer or owner authority for the statutory limits BSIS-licensed guards actually operate within.
Law Reference: Cal. Penal Code §§835, 835a, 837, 847, 692-694; Graham v. Connor (1989)Practice all 200 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- After using force resulting in any apparent injury, the guard's medical-care duty is to:
- After deploying OC pepper spray on a subject, the guard should generally:
- The phrase 'reasonable belief' for use-of-force purposes most accurately means:
- Recognizing acute behavioral crisis (formerly often labeled "excited delirium") and adjusting response is now a recognized California training expectation because:
- California's 'officer-created jeopardy' (or 'pre-shooting tactical') doctrine — recognized in Hayes v. County of San Diego (2013) 57 Cal.4th 622 — provides that:
- Civil immunity for false arrest under California law extends most fully to:
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against California BSIS Guard Card Exam · How we review