Delaware Security Guard Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The distinction between a security guard and a police officer primarily lies in their roles, authority, and employment. Security guards are usually employed by private companies or individuals to protect property, deter crime, and manage safety on premises. They possess limited legal authority, which usually includes the ability to detain individuals until law enforcement arrives, but they do not have the same powers as police officers.

Police officers, on the other hand, are public servants who have the authority to enforce the law, make arrests, and carry out investigations. Their powers are derived from government authority, and they undergo extensive training to perform their duties. Security guards do not have the same level of training or legal authority as police officers, which underscores the important distinction that security guards operate mainly within the confines of private property while police officers serve the public at large and have the authority to enforce laws.

This understanding clarifies the differences in the nature of their responsibilities and the scope of their authority in maintaining public safety and order.