Chicago/Illinois Security Guard PERC Practice Exam 2025 - Free Security Guard PERC Practice Questions and Study Guide

A security guard can issue a private person's arrest when they witness a crime being committed in their presence. This authority is based on the principle of being able to act in defense of public safety and to protect property. The key factor here is having direct, firsthand knowledge of the criminal act occurring. This allows the security guard to intervene appropriately and take action to detain the individual until law enforcement arrives.

The other options do not provide the same level of legal foundation for a private person's arrest. Simply suspecting someone might commit a crime is not sufficient to justify an arrest, as it lacks direct evidence. Command from law enforcement does not allow a security guard to make an arrest; rather, it implies that the guard may assist or cooperate with law enforcement’s actions. Finally, receiving a report of a crime from a third party does not grant the guard the authority to arrest, as they did not personally witness the event. Thus, witnessing the crime firsthand is the key circumstance that enables a security guard to perform a private person's arrest.