Virgin from Virginia

[dingo3497]

I'm an armed security officer from Virginia. New to the site but not new to enforcing the laws while working private security. I hope to look and learn from this site as well as
contribute when possible.

[marinepilot]

Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle!

[Joeyd6]

Welcome Dingo!

Just a word of caution.....some folks on will argue with you about enforcing any laws as as security guard. Be careful with such.
!

[Kimble]

Just a word of caution.....some folks on will argue with you about enforcing any laws as as security guard. Be careful with such.
!

Myself included, quite frankly. Enjoy the site, but please stay away from implying you are law enforcement, as that will be a clear violation of set rules.

[Lawson]

Welcome to RP from Hampton Roads VA.

Its a discussion for a whole nother thread, but I assume he's probably referring to the Armed Security Officer arrest authority in Virginia. An ASO can make an arrest in VA and is considered the "arresting officer" (9.1-146).

[Norm357]

Oh snap!

[MikeyD]

Welcome to RP from Hampton Roads VA.

Its a discussion for a whole nother thread, but I assume he's probably referring to the Armed Security Officer arrest authority in Virginia. An ASO can make an arrest in VA and is considered the "arresting officer" (9.1-146).

Wow, didn't know that. Is this sort of like a peace officer in Texas?

Anyway, welcome, Dingo. How long have you been an armed security officer? Are you looking to join your local police force in some other capacity?

[Kimble]

Wow, didn't know that. Is this sort of like a peace officer in Texas?

It is not. I spent 4 years as a LEO in VA, and the commonwealth is very specific in what positions qualify as a peace officer (or what VA statute 19.2-12 refers to as a "conservator of the peace"). Security does not qualify, and while they can detain for offenses on their property (as the statute Lawson cited states), that's not the same as them being law enforcement/peace officers. We're talking about authority to take specific action under specific circumstances, not full-time and all-inclusive enforcement authority that law enforcement has.

[dingo3497]

No not a peace office but in Virginia an Armed Security Officer can arrest for anyone breaking the law in
the site the are assigned to only {Private Property}. A responsibility I do not take lightly and 99% of
the time defer to the professionals. My job is still "observe and report". Certain clients want you to do
more and some less. I can arrest someone, transport to the city jail, see the magistrate and the whole 9 yards. I personally prefer not to and as stated above defer.
I have been a armed security officer here in Va. for awhile. I work security as a second and the military for a first. No aspirations to be a policeman. The men and women of law enforcement and private
security are extremely under paid. With no disrespect, I could not afford to be a policeman. My security officer money goes to my kids for a slush fund, plus I enjoy the work and the company I work for.

[Lawson]

I moved out here only about 5mos ago. I was a little taken back not only by how different LE is here from WA, but security. We have security companies around here that issue summons, arrest, transport for booking, etc... all on like what? 40-50 hours of training? If that?

LEO pay too. Officers starting around 35-40k, could hardly believe it.

[dingo3497]

Not the entrance I wanted to make as a new member. My apologies for the confusion and to anyone I
offended. I will enjoy the site, sit back and respectfully contribute where possible.

[MikeG]

Oh snap!

I couldn't rep you for that but I LOL'd. And I'm not a LEO and not advocating private arrest.

Arizona has citizens arrest, though. Citizen even can haul them off to magistrate. It's easier to let police do it and delivering arrested person to officer is allowed.

Never heard of it being used and I suspect unlawful restraint is a greater jeopardy and case law is probably a lot more restrictive than what is actually written. Interesting that the language for felony arrest is "reasonable grounds" for private citizen but the standard is "probable cause" for warrantless arrest by officer (obviously no such thing as arrest through warrant). I couldn't hazard a guess as to which is a higher standard but "reasonable suspicion" is a lower standard than "probable cause." Also, threatening deadly force (i.e. drawing weapon) is much easier as an officer than it is for private citizen as the standard is much lower so applying the minimum restraint necessary for arrest is much harder for Joe the Vigilante, including the option of shooting fleeing felons. Plus, when private citizen detains anyone, odds are a person with badge will be there to decide whether to arrest private citizen, too. Police have much greater detaining power even if the arrest requirement is statutorily similar. I doubt police will care much about citizen arrest authority but will care a lot more about unlawful restraint. That's two arrests for the price of one.

It would be interesting to know if felony arrest by private citizen was ever made on "reasonable grounds" because officer didn't have "probable cause" but still wanted to haul the bad guy off to jail. Also, it would be funny to have a passenger in a car "arrest" the driver for felony possession of drugs before police arrest both of them to avoid being arrested themselves. "hey officer, I just discovered this methamphetamine in the car and I am arresting the driver as I have reasonable suspicion it's his." Reno 911 should have that as an episode.

Plus private citizens don't get overtime to go to criminal court or be on standby to go to criminal court.

13-3884. Arrest by private person

A private person may make an arrest:

1. When the person to be arrested has in his presence committed a misdemeanor amounting to a breach of the peace, or a felony.

2. When a felony has been in fact committed and he has reasonable ground to believe that the person to be arrested has committed it.