What distinguishes a security professional from law enforcement?

The distinguishing characteristic of a security professional compared to law enforcement is that security professionals typically have limited authority. While both roles aim to maintain safety and protect people and property, security professionals often operate within a specific private sector context, adhering to company policies and procedures. Their authority is generally confined to the premises they are contracted to protect and does not extend beyond that, unlike law enforcement officers who hold broad powers under state and federal laws, such as the authority to arrest and enforce criminal laws.

It is important to note that security professionals are not mandated to be armed; such decisions may vary depending on the specific job, while law enforcement officers are agents of the state with defined powers that require them to carry firearms. Additionally, though security personnel often undergo training in conflict resolution and may have some capacity to detain individuals under certain circumstances, their ability to make arrests is not comparable to that of law enforcement officers, who possess the legal authority to do so under the law. Therefore, the limited authority of security professionals is a key differentiator between them and law enforcement agencies.