Hawaii Security Guard
Practice Test

A. Hawaii Department of Transportation

B. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) ✓

C. Hawaii Department of Public Safety

D. Hawaii Department of the Attorney General

Correct — B. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), through its Professional and Vocational Licensing division, oversees the licensing of private security guards and agencies in Hawaii. Applicants must meet training and background check requirements set by the DCCA.

A. Physical restraint

B. Intermediate weapons

C. Officer presence and verbal commands ✓

D. Lethal force

Correct — C. The force continuum starts at the lowest level: officer/guard presence combined with verbal communication. Many situations can be resolved at this level without any physical contact. Guards should always attempt to de-escalate before moving to higher force levels.

A. A sworn police officer

B. A federal law enforcement agent

C. An ordinary private citizen ✓

D. A licensed bail bondsman

Correct — C. A private security guard does not have the special powers of a sworn law enforcement officer. Security guards in Hawaii possess only the same legal authority as any ordinary private citizen, plus any additional authority granted by the property owner or employer.

A. The maximum force available to stop any threat

B. Force that is proportional and necessary to address a specific threat given the circumstances ✓

C. Any force authorized by the employer in writing

D. Force used only after three verbal warnings

Correct — B. Reasonable force is force that is proportional to the level of threat faced and necessary under the circumstances. Courts evaluate reasonableness by what a similarly situated, reasonably prudent person would have done in the same situation.

A. Observe and report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities ✓

B. Apprehend and detain suspects until police arrive

C. Issue criminal citations to trespassers

D. Conduct criminal investigations independently

Correct — A. The cornerstone of security guard work is the observe-and-report function. Guards are expected to observe their environment, document incidents, and report to law enforcement rather than take enforcement action themselves.

A. Immediately physically restrain the person

B. Use a chokehold to control the situation quickly

C. Call for armed backup before doing anything

D. Use calm verbal de-escalation techniques and, if necessary, request police assistance ✓

Correct — D. Verbal abuse alone does not justify physical force. The appropriate response is to use professional verbal de-escalation skills to calm the situation. If the person poses no physical threat, the guard should avoid physical intervention and contact police if the situation does not resolve.

A. Arrest the person and transport them to the police station

B. Use any level of force necessary to recover the merchandise

C. Detain the person indefinitely until the manager returns

D. Detain the person briefly in a reasonable manner on the premises to investigate ✓

Correct — D. The merchant's privilege (shopkeeper's privilege) allows store employees and agents, including security guards, to briefly and reasonably detain a person suspected of shoplifting on the premises for investigation. The detention must be brief, reasonable in scope, and not use excessive force.

A. Force used beyond what is reasonably necessary to address the threat ✓

B. Any force used without the employer's written approval

C. Force used only by armed security guards

D. Force that results in an injury regardless of the circumstances

Correct — A. Excessive force is force that exceeds what is reasonably necessary given the level and nature of the threat. Using excessive force exposes the guard to civil liability for battery and potential criminal assault charges.