Dragon BodyguardsA California security guard can observe, deter, report, enforce the property's rules politely and call police. A guard has the same arrest powers as any private person under Penal Code 837 and no more. Guards are not police officers, so they cannot do what only law enforcement may do, and good guards treat physical intervention as a last resort.
Guards are private persons with a license
A security guard working for a Private Patrol Operator must hold a current registration from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, often called a guard card, and carry it on duty. That card shows the guard passed a background check and completed required training, including Power to Arrest training before assignment. It does not grant police powers.
Legally, the guard stands in the same place as any other private person, with the added duties that come with the job and the employing firm's rules.
What guards can do
- Be present and visible. Deterrence is the core of most assignments.
- Observe and report. Notice what is unusual and tell the right person quickly.
- Check credentials and guest lists where the host or property sets that rule.
- Ask people to follow the property's rules, and ask them to leave on the property owner's behalf when the rules allow.
- Call police and provide information when they arrive.
- Document incidents with times, facts and witnesses.
- Make a private-person arrest in the limited situations Penal Code 837 describes, when the employing firm's rules allow it and it is safe.
What guards cannot do
- Act as police, or present themselves as police.
- Carry a firearm on duty without a separate BSIS exposed firearm permit, or a baton without a separate baton permit.
- Conduct searches the way police can. Any bag check policy is a condition of entry set by the property, and a person may decline and leave.
- Use more force than the situation allows. Force is limited by law and by the firm's policy.
- Hold someone for questioning on a hunch.
- Ignore their employer's post orders and supervision.
The exact limits of private-person arrest and use of force are legal questions. For a specific situation, consult an attorney. This post is general information.
Penal Code 837 in plain terms
Penal Code 837 describes when a private person may arrest another person. It is narrower than many people assume, and getting it wrong can expose the guard, the firm and the client to serious liability. That is why responsible firms train guards to observe, document and call police in most cases rather than make arrests themselves.
Trespass: handled with police
Trespass is a common question for hosts and property managers. A typical, sensible approach looks like this:
- The guard approaches politely and asks if the person needs help.
- The guard explains the property's rules and asks the person to leave on the owner's behalf.
- If the person refuses, the guard keeps a safe distance, keeps watching and calls police.
- Police decide what happens next.
- The guard writes a report with the times and details.
The guard does not drag anyone off a property. Our post on de-escalation fundamentals explains why calm words work better.
Why this matters when you hire
Knowing the limits helps you set the right expectations and write better instructions. When you brief your guard, focus on what they can do well: watching entrances, protecting a gift table, managing a guest list, walking a principal to a car, and getting help on the way early.
- Do not ask a guard to search people or bags unless the property has a clear entry policy.
- Do not ask a guard to "remove" someone by force.
- Do tell the guard who can make decisions on your behalf.
- Do agree on when police should be called.
Booking guards who know the limits
In California, only a licensed Private Patrol Operator may contract to provide security guard services. Verify both the firm's license and the guard's registration on the DCA License Search.
Dragon Bodyguards is a booking platform launching in San Diego County. When you Summon a Dragon, a licensed partner firm accepts your booking and assigns an unarmed Dragon with a current BSIS guard card. The firm employs, insures and supervises the guard. See also guard card vs. PPO license and unarmed vs. armed security.