Delaware Security Guard
Practice Test

A. Delaware Department of Justice

B. Delaware State Police ✓

C. Delaware Department of Labor

D. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation

Correct — B. The Delaware State Police oversees the licensing and regulation of private security guards in the state. Applicants must meet training and background check requirements set by this agency.

A. Physical restraint

B. Chemical agents

C. Officer presence and verbal communication ✓

D. Impact weapons

Correct — C. The force continuum starts at the lowest level — the guard's presence and verbal commands. Each subsequent level escalates only when lower levels fail to achieve compliance, always using the minimum force necessary.

A. Federal law enforcement powers

B. A special deputization by the local sheriff

C. The property owner's permission and delegation of rights ✓

D. An automatic grant of police powers upon licensing

Correct — C. Security guards derive their authority from the property owner or employer who has delegated the right to control access and enforce rules on that private property. They do not receive police powers through licensing.

A. Force that is proportionate to the threat and no greater than necessary ✓

B. Any level of force a guard believes is needed regardless of the threat

C. Force approved in writing by the guard's supervisor before the incident

D. Force used only after a physical attack has already occurred

Correct — A. Reasonable force is the amount of force proportionate to the threat faced and no more than necessary to control the situation. Using disproportionate force is considered excessive and creates legal liability.

A. Document incidents and notify law enforcement rather than intervening directly ✓

B. Investigate crimes and gather evidence for prosecution

C. Apprehend suspects and detain them until police arrive in all situations

D. Issue citations and fines for property rule violations

Correct — A. The observe-and-report model means the guard watches for incidents, carefully documents what they see, and contacts law enforcement rather than taking direct enforcement action. This limits legal liability and keeps guards safe.

A. Immediately tackle the person to prevent escalation

B. Draw a weapon to signal seriousness

C. Ignore the threats and walk away

D. Use verbal de-escalation techniques and create distance ✓

Correct — D. When no immediate physical threat exists, de-escalation through calm verbal communication and maintaining a safe distance is the correct response. Physical force is not justified when the person is only making verbal threats without advancing.

A. The guard personally dislikes the individual's behavior

B. A supervisor instructs the guard to detain anyone who looks suspicious

C. The person refuses to show identification upon request

D. The guard has reasonable grounds to believe shoplifting occurred ✓

Correct — D. Delaware's shopkeeper's privilege permits a brief, reasonable detention when the guard has reasonable grounds to believe the person committed shoplifting. Mere suspicion based on appearance or refusal to show ID is insufficient.

A. A firearm if personally purchased

B. No weapons; only their presence and voice ✓

C. Pepper spray and a firearm at all times

D. An expandable baton without any permit

Correct — B. Unarmed security guards, by definition, do not carry firearms. In Delaware, carrying additional defensive tools such as pepper spray or batons may require specific permits or employer authorization; without these, the guard's tools are presence and communication.