Originally posted by dj05544
I dont know too many private firms that carry guns...this shows that theres something fishy going on...C'mon a 9mm? If they were like the private firms that protect neighborhoods and buildings they would have a flashlight, radio, and maybe some mace. At most a tazer...but a 9mm? They also had bullet vests on from what I notced....thats a step up from the mall security if you ask me...

As some security companies use as their motto the job of a security officer is to "detect, deter, observe and report." Security officers are not normally required to make arrests (but have the authority to make a citizen's arrest) or otherwise act as police officers, except in some (notably United States) jurisdictions in which the security officer is invested with arrest powers like those of a county sheriff.

In contrast to the above mentioned motto, a Private Security Officer's actual primary duty is prevention of crime. Security personnel do enforce company rules and can act to protect lives and property. In fact, they frequently have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. Security Officers are often trained to perform arrest and control procedures (including handcuffing and restraints), operate emergency equipment, perform first aid, CPR, take accurate notes and write effective reports, and perform other tasks as required by the property they are protecting. Many security officers are required to go through additional training mandated by the state for the carrying of weapons such as batons, firearms, and pepper spray.

Some officers are required to complete police certification for special duties, such as Private Police Officers. Positions are also set to grow in the U.S., with 350,000 new security jobs expected over the next decade.[1] In recent years, due to elevated threats of terrorism, some security officers are required to have bomb-threat training and/or emergency crisis training.