Virginia Security Guard
Practice Test

A. A state commission granted by the Virginia State Police

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

C. A federal license issued by the Department of Homeland Security

D. An oath of office administered by a local magistrate

Correct — B. Private security officers derive their authority from the property owner or employer who grants them permission to act on that property. This is a delegation of the owner's right to control who enters and remains on their premises, not a government-granted police power.

A. Officer presence and verbal communication ✓

B. Physical restraint techniques

C. Deployment of chemical spray

D. Calling for law enforcement backup

Correct — A. The use-of-force continuum starts at the lowest level, which is the mere presence of the officer combined with verbal commands. This alone often resolves many situations without any physical intervention. Force escalates only as necessary based on the subject's resistance level.

A. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services only for armed guards

B. Virginia Attorney General's Office

C. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) ✓

D. Virginia State Police Licensing Division

Correct — C. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is responsible for regulating and licensing private security services in Virginia. All private security personnel must register with DCJS before working in the field.

A. Any amount of force the officer personally feels is necessary

B. The maximum force available to stop any non-compliant person

C. Force that is proportional to the threat and necessary to achieve a lawful objective ✓

D. Force authorized in writing by the security company before each shift

Correct — C. Reasonable force is legally defined as force that is proportionate to the perceived threat and necessary under the circumstances. Courts evaluate reasonableness from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with the benefit of hindsight.

A. Watch for suspicious activity and document it, then notify law enforcement when appropriate ✓

B. Physically intervene in all suspicious situations encountered on patrol

C. Question every person who enters the property and demand identification

D. Make arrests whenever a crime is witnessed to prevent loss

Correct — A. The observe-and-report role is the foundation of most unarmed security positions. Guards document observations, maintain logs, and notify law enforcement or management — they are not enforcers of criminal law, and physical intervention is generally reserved for specific defined circumstances.

A. Maintain maximum restraint force until police arrive regardless of the subject's behavior

B. De-escalate and reduce restraint pressure, continuing to monitor for re-escalation ✓

C. Immediately release the subject completely since they are now calm

D. Increase restraint force to prevent any possible future resistance

Correct — B. Force must be continuously re-evaluated. Once a subject de-escalates and becomes compliant, the level of force must be reduced accordingly. Continuing to apply maximum force against a non-resistant subject constitutes excessive force.

A. They suspect someone of any misdemeanor offense

B. They have probable cause to believe any crime has occurred

C. A law enforcement officer instructs them to detain someone

D. A felony has been committed in their presence ✓

Correct — D. Virginia Code § 19.2-77 provides that a private person may arrest another for a felony committed in their presence. The authority of private persons to make arrests is much narrower than police power and does not extend to most misdemeanors.

A. Immediately tackle the person to prevent a possible attack

B. Draw a weapon to display authority

C. Retreat to a safe distance and call law enforcement

D. Use verbal de-escalation techniques, maintain distance, and call for backup or law enforcement ✓

Correct — D. Verbal threats alone do not automatically justify physical force. An unarmed officer should maintain a safe distance, attempt verbal de-escalation, and call law enforcement. Physical intervention should occur only if the threat becomes imminent and physical, and only to the degree necessary.