Saskatchewan Security Guard License Practice Exam

Which legal principle allows security guards to detain individuals?

1. The principle of "citizen's arrest."

2. The principle of "presumed innocence."

3. The principle of "preventive detention."

4. The principle of "common law."

The correct answer is: The principle of "citizen's arrest."

The principle of "citizen's arrest" is the correct answer, as it empowers individuals, including security guards, to detain someone who they believe has committed a crime. Under this principle, a citizen can hold a suspect until law enforcement arrives, provided the detention is lawful and reasonable under the circumstances. This authority is often derived from statutory law, which typically outlines the conditions under which a private individual can execute an arrest, including witnessing the commission of a crime or having reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has been committed. Understanding this principle is crucial for security guards, as it guides them on how to act when they suspect a breach of law within their jurisdiction. While the other principles mentioned—such as "presumed innocence," "preventive detention," and "common law"—are relevant in various legal contexts, they do not specifically grant security guards the authority to detain individuals. "Presumed innocence" refers to the legal stance that individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty, which is a fundamental aspect of criminal justice. "Preventive detention" refers to holding individuals to prevent future crimes without necessarily proving they have committed one, while "common law" serves as a body of law based on judicial decisions rather than statutes, but does not specifically