Question

A Guard is working at a hardware store and observes an individual shoplift a power drill. While attempting to detain the individual, the suspect pushed the Guard and runs across the street into a residential area and goes into the backyard of a home. What should the Guard do?

1) The Guard should chase the suspect until he catches up and restrain the suspect in handcuffs
2) The Guard should contact the police to report the incident and remain where he is so that he can observe if the suspect leaves the property
3) The Guard should sneak up to the home and see if he can see the suspect through the windows
4) The Guard should run up to the front door of the house and knock/ring the doorbell and tell the homeowner what happened and get permission prior to entering the backyard for the purpose of completing the arrest

Answer 1

The most appropriate action for a security guard in this scenario is to contact the police to report the shoplifting incident and avoid chasing or attempting to physically detain the suspect.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a security guard witnesses a shoplifting incident and the suspect becomes physically confrontational and flees into a residential area, the guard must be cognizant of the limits of their authority and consider public safety, potential legal implications, and company policies. Chasing the suspect and employing physical force to detain them could lead to potential injury, accusations of excessive use of force, and other legal complications. In most situations, the most appropriate course of action would be option 2: The Guard should contact the police to report the incident and provide as much detail as possible while maintaining a safe distance. This allows law enforcement, who are trained and authorized to handle such situations, to take over and reduces the risk of escalating the situation further.