Tennessee Security Guard
Practice Test

A. Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

B. Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Office of Criminal Justice Programs ✓

C. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

D. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Correct — B. Tennessee regulates private security guards through the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Guards must meet licensing requirements set by state law before working in a security capacity.

A. Physical control techniques

B. Officer presence and verbal communication ✓

C. Intermediate weapons deployment

D. Deadly force

Correct — B. The force continuum starts at the lowest level—the guard's presence and verbal commands. Escalation through higher levels is appropriate only when lower levels fail to gain compliance. Guards should always try the least-force option first.

A. Their state security license alone

B. A special commission granted by the county sheriff

C. The property owner's delegation of their right to control access ✓

D. State statutes that grant security guards police-equivalent powers

Correct — C. Security guards derive their authority from the property owner, who delegates the right to control who enters, remains on, or is asked to leave private property. The license itself does not create independent police-like powers.

A. The maximum amount of force the guard is physically capable of using

B. Any force the property owner authorizes in writing

C. Force that is proportionate to the threat faced and no greater than necessary to accomplish a lawful objective ✓

D. Force approved in advance by law enforcement

Correct — C. Reasonable force is a legal standard requiring that force used be proportionate to the threat and necessary to accomplish the lawful goal. Using more force than necessary can result in criminal charges and civil liability for the guard.

A. Monitoring, documenting incidents, and notifying law enforcement when needed ✓

B. Actively pursuing suspects off the client's property

C. Issuing citations with fines for trespassing violations

D. Making custodial arrests whenever a crime is witnessed

Correct — A. Unarmed guards in an observe-and-report role are expected to monitor conditions, document incidents accurately, and contact law enforcement rather than taking enforcement action themselves. This protects the guard and their employer from liability.

A. Excessive force because the level of restraint was disproportionate to the absence of resistance ✓

B. Appropriate force because any arrest justifies handcuffing

C. Acceptable because minors are considered unpredictable

D. Lawful if the guard had training in handcuffing techniques

Correct — A. Applying tight handcuffs causing injury to a non-resisting person is excessive. Force used must match the level of resistance encountered. A compliant suspect requires only the minimum restraint necessary, applied without unnecessary pain.

A. They have probable cause that a person committed any misdemeanor

B. They personally suspect someone looks suspicious

C. A security supervisor authorizes the arrest by radio

D. A felony has been committed and the arrestee is the person who committed it ✓

Correct — D. Tennessee's citizen arrest statute allows a private person to arrest someone only when a felony has actually been committed and the person making the arrest has reasonable grounds to believe the person arrested committed it. This is narrower than police arrest authority.

A. Always cuff behind the back regardless of medical conditions

B. Use the tightest fit to prevent escape

C. Handcuffs are only legal if police-approved models are used

D. Ensure handcuffs are not too tight and check circulation periodically ✓

Correct — D. Handcuffs that are too tight can cause nerve damage and restrict blood circulation. Guards should double-lock handcuffs to prevent tightening, check that two fingers can fit between cuff and wrist, and monitor the subject's condition throughout the detention.