Kentucky Security Guard
Practice Test

A. Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) ✓

B. Kentucky State Police

C. Kentucky Board of Private Investigators

D. Kentucky Office of Homeland Security

Correct — A. Kentucky private security personnel are regulated and licensed through the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT), which sets training and licensing standards for security officers statewide.

A. A policy requiring guards to always use maximum force

B. A schedule for when guards must call police

C. A graduated framework showing escalating levels of force appropriate to the threat level ✓

D. A legal requirement to use force in every confrontation

Correct — C. The use-of-force continuum is a structured guideline that describes escalating levels of force available to security officers in response to escalating levels of resistance or threat. Officers should use the minimum force necessary to control the situation.

A. Security guards have the same arrest powers as police officers

B. Security guards can carry firearms in all public areas without restriction

C. Security guards have only the same powers as any private citizen ✓

D. Security guards may detain anyone they suspect of any crime

Correct — C. A private security guard does not hold police powers; they are limited to the same legal authority as an ordinary private citizen, plus any contractual authority granted by the property owner. They cannot exercise governmental police powers.

A. The level of force that a reasonable person would consider necessary and proportionate to the threat ✓

B. The maximum force available to stop any threat

C. Only verbal commands, never physical contact

D. Force that exceeds what the threat requires in order to deter future threats

Correct — A. Reasonable force is the amount of force that an objective, reasonable person would deem necessary and proportionate to the specific threat faced. Using more force than the situation requires constitutes excessive force.

A. Whenever they have a reasonable suspicion a crime may occur

B. When a felony has been committed and they have reasonable grounds to believe the person committed it ✓

C. Only when directed to do so by a police officer

D. For any misdemeanor they personally observe

Correct — B. Kentucky follows the common-law rule that a citizen's arrest is permitted for a felony actually committed when the arresting person has reasonable grounds to believe the detainee committed it. Citizen's arrest for misdemeanors is generally limited to breaches of the peace occurring in the arrester's presence.

A. Immediately physically restrain the individual

B. Deploy pepper spray to gain compliance

C. Call for police backup and ignore the person

D. Use verbal de-escalation techniques to calm the situation ✓

Correct — D. Verbal de-escalation should always be the first response to a non-physical threat. Using calm, non-threatening communication can resolve many confrontations without escalating to physical force, which should be a last resort.

A. Assault

B. Trespass

C. Negligent hiring

D. False imprisonment ✓

Correct — D. Holding a person for an unreasonably long time without legal justification constitutes false imprisonment. Security guards must detain suspects only for a reasonable time and must summon law enforcement promptly to avoid this liability.

A. Physically blocking a door to prevent escape of a robbery suspect

B. Breaking an unarmed shoplifter's arm while detaining them for a minor theft ✓

C. Verbally ordering a trespasser to leave the property

D. Calling police when a disturbance cannot be resolved

Correct — B. Breaking a person's arm while detaining them for a minor, non-violent offense far exceeds the force necessary to effect a lawful detention. This constitutes excessive force and exposes the guard to criminal and civil liability.