West Virginia Security Guard Practice Exam

A security guard can legally use handcuffs when detaining a suspect until law enforcement arrives. This situation is justified as the primary role of a security guard involves maintaining safety and order. If a security guard observes or has reasonable suspicion of someone being involved in criminal activity, they have the authority to detain that individual to prevent further illegal action and to preserve evidence. The use of handcuffs in this context is a way to ensure the safety of both the guard and the suspect, as well as to prevent the suspect from fleeing before law enforcement can take over the situation.

In other situations, such as during routine patrols or conducting searches, the use of handcuffs may not be necessary or legally justified. For example, routine patrols involve monitoring and observing but do not typically require the immediate physical restraint of individuals. Similarly, searches are conducted to find prohibited items, but unless there is immediate threat or evidence of a crime in progress, handcuffing individuals during a search could escalate a situation unnecessarily. When managing a crowd, security guards are trained to use de-escalation techniques and maintain crowd control without forcing physical restraints unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons.