Kansas Security Guard
Practice Test

A. The property owner's right to control access to their property ✓

B. A commission granted by the county sheriff

C. State police powers delegated by the Governor

D. Federal homeland security regulations

Correct — A. Private security officers derive their authority on private property from the property owner, who delegates the right to control access and enforce rules. They do not have police powers unless also commissioned as law enforcement.

A. Officer presence and verbal commands ✓

B. Physical restraint

C. Pepper spray deployment

D. Baton strikes

Correct — A. The force continuum starts at the lowest level—officer presence and verbal communication. Escalating to higher levels of force is only appropriate when lower levels prove ineffective or are clearly insufficient given the threat.

A. Kansas Department of Transportation

B. Kansas Bureau of Investigation

C. Kansas Department of Labor ✓

D. Kansas Highway Patrol

Correct — C. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) oversees the registration and licensing of private security officers in the state of Kansas under the Private Detective and Private Security Act.

A. The maximum force available to stop any threat

B. Proportional to the threat posed and necessary under the circumstances ✓

C. Force approved in advance by the employer

D. Any force a security guard chooses to apply

Correct — B. Reasonable force is force proportional to the threat faced. Using more force than reasonably necessary—even against someone who is threatening—can result in criminal and civil liability for the security guard.

A. Arrest the suspect using the same authority as a police officer

B. Make a citizen's arrest and detain the suspect until police arrive ✓

C. Issue a misdemeanor citation and release the suspect

D. Only observe and report without any physical intervention

Correct — B. In Kansas, a private citizen—including a security guard—may make a citizen's arrest when they directly witness a felony being committed. The suspect must be held only until law enforcement arrives.

A. Immediately apply a control hold to prevent escalation

B. Deploy pepper spray as a precaution

C. Call for backup and step back while drawing any available weapon

D. Maintain a calm, professional tone, create distance, and attempt to de-escalate verbally ✓

Correct — D. Verbal aggression without physical threat does not justify physical force. The appropriate response is to remain calm, establish distance, use de-escalation techniques, and call for backup if necessary—escalating only if the threat becomes physical.

A. Detention requires handcuffs; arrest does not

B. Detention is only lawful indoors; arrest can occur anywhere

C. Detention requires a warrant; arrest does not

D. Detention is a brief investigative hold; arrest involves taking formal custody ✓

Correct — D. Detention is a temporary, limited restraint for investigative purposes, while arrest involves taking a person into formal custody with the intent to charge them. Security guards should understand this distinction to avoid false imprisonment claims.

A. A flashlight

B. A notepad

C. A firearm ✓

D. A two-way radio

Correct — C. Unarmed security guards are not permitted to carry firearms as part of their duty. Armed security requires separate training, licensing, and employer authorization under Kansas regulations.