Arizona Security Guard
Practice Test

A. Arizona Department of Public Safety

B. Arizona Department of Public Safety – Private Investigator and Security Guard Unit ✓

C. Arizona Attorney General's Office

D. Arizona Department of Commerce

Correct — B. The Private Investigator and Security Guard Unit within the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues and regulates security guard licenses in Arizona. Applicants must meet training, background check, and fingerprinting requirements before a license is issued.

A. A graduated scale of force options matched to the level of threat presented ✓

B. A rule that guards must always use maximum force immediately

C. A requirement to use physical force before verbal commands

D. A method for deciding when to call for backup

Correct — A. The force continuum presents a range of force options from presence and verbal commands at the low end to lethal force at the highest end. Guards should match their response to the level of threat, using the minimum force necessary to control a situation.

A. Equal to that of a sworn police officer

B. Greater than a police officer because the guard has the owner's permission

C. Derived from the property owner, limited to what a private citizen may lawfully do ✓

D. Unlimited within the property boundaries

Correct — C. Security guards have no special law-enforcement powers. Their authority comes from the property owner and extends only to actions any private citizen may lawfully take. They cannot exceed those limits even when on duty.

A. Immediately apply a physical restraint

B. Use clear verbal commands and de-escalation techniques ✓

C. Call for armed backup before doing anything

D. Threaten the person with arrest

Correct — B. Verbal de-escalation is the first and preferred response. Calm, clear communication often resolves situations without physical contact, reducing risk to the guard, the subject, and bystanders and minimizing legal liability.

A. Document incidents accurately and notify the appropriate authorities ✓

B. Physically intervene whenever a crime is in progress

C. Arrest anyone suspected of criminal activity

D. Carry a firearm at all times

Correct — A. An observe-and-report assignment means the guard's primary role is to watch for and document incidents and then contact law enforcement or management rather than physically intervene. This approach limits liability and keeps the guard safe.

A. Whatever force the guard feels is necessary, without limitation

B. Force approved by the property owner regardless of circumstances

C. The amount and type of force that a prudent person in similar circumstances would consider necessary and proportional ✓

D. Force that results in no injury to either party

Correct — C. Reasonable force is judged objectively: would a reasonable person in the same situation agree the force was necessary and proportional? Courts evaluate the threat level, available alternatives, and the actions taken to determine whether force was justified.

A. Any person may arrest anyone for any reason if they feel threatened

B. Only off-duty police officers may perform a citizen's arrest

C. A citizen may arrest another for a misdemeanor not committed in their presence

D. A private person may arrest another when a felony has been committed and there is reasonable cause to believe that person committed it ✓

Correct — D. Arizona follows the traditional rule that a private person may make an arrest if a felony has been committed and they have reasonable cause to believe the individual committed it. For misdemeanors, the offense generally must be committed in the arresting person's presence.

A. Any force used in a public location

B. Force used without a verbal warning

C. Force used when backup is available

D. Force beyond what is necessary and proportional to the threat ✓

Correct — D. Excessive force occurs when a guard uses more force than the situation objectively warrants. This can result in criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and license revocation regardless of whether the subject was actually committing an offense.