TheoryCalifornia BSIS Guard Card Practice Questions
Free California BSIS Guard Card practice questions with answers and plain-English explanations. Browse the PDF, video and online mock test.
California BSIS Guard Card Questions
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Q1Under California Penal Code Section 837, a private person may arrest another for a public offense committed or attempted in their presence. Which of the following BEST describes this legal authority?
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✓ Correct answer: Citizen's arrest power limited to offenses witnessed directly by the arresting person
PC 837 grants citizens (including security officers) arrest power only for public offenses committed or attempted in their presence.
Q2A security officer observes a person shoplifting inside a store. Under California law, what is the MOST appropriate initial action?
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✓ Correct answer: Detain the person at the point of exit if the full act was witnessed
The merchant's privilege (PC 490.5) allows detention at the exit after witnessing the complete act of theft, not before.
Q3Which of the following felonies would authorize a private person to make an arrest even if the offense was NOT committed in their presence?
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✓ Correct answer: A felony that has in fact been committed and the arresting person has reasonable cause to believe the suspect committed it
PC 837(3) allows a citizen to arrest for a felony not committed in their presence if: (1) a felony has actually been committed and (2) there is reasonable cause to believe that person committed it.
Q4A security officer makes a citizen's arrest. After restraining the subject, what is the officer's PRIMARY legal obligation?
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✓ Correct answer: Deliver the arrested person to a police officer or magistrate without unnecessary delay
Once a citizen's arrest is made, the arresting person must promptly deliver the subject to law enforcement; unreasonable delay can expose the officer to legal liability.
Q5Which statement about trespass and the power to arrest is CORRECT?
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✓ Correct answer: A person who refuses to leave private property after being asked can be detained for trespass (PC 602)
Remaining on private property after being asked to leave constitutes trespass under PC 602, giving security the authority to detain.
Q6Before making a citizen's arrest, a security officer should consider which PRIMARY factor?
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✓ Correct answer: Whether an actual crime has been or is being committed
The threshold question is always whether a crime has actually occurred or is occurring; arrests without a lawful basis expose the officer to liability for false imprisonment.
Q7A citizen's arrest for a misdemeanor is lawful in California only when:
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✓ Correct answer: The misdemeanor was committed or attempted in the arresting person's presence
For misdemeanors, California law requires the offense to have been committed or attempted directly in the presence of the person making the arrest.
Q8When informing a person they are under citizen's arrest, the security officer MUST:
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✓ Correct answer: Clearly state that the person is being detained and briefly explain the reason
A lawful arrest requires notification to the person being arrested so they understand their status and the reason for the detention.
Q9A security officer detains a person based solely on the subject's race or appearance. This action is BEST described as:
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✓ Correct answer: Unlawful discrimination and potentially false imprisonment
Detaining someone based solely on protected characteristics like race is both discriminatory and constitutes false imprisonment with no lawful basis.
Q10After completing a citizen's arrest, the security officer calls police. The subject suddenly says, 'I want to leave.' The officer should:
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✓ Correct answer: Maintain the lawful detention and wait for police to arrive
Once a lawful citizen's arrest is made, the officer may maintain the detention until police arrive; releasing the subject could compromise the arrest.
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