Per Texas Law, a security officer is authorized to detain and / or arrest for offenses committed within their presence or view for both felonies and misdemeanors considered a breach of peace, which is every crime against another.
This is not a citizen's arrest. There is no "Citizens Arrest" statute in the State of Texas.
Common examples of a breach of peace are disorderly conduct, deadly conduct, unlawful carrying of a weapon, trespassing, robbery, etc.., essentially every criminal offense in Texas.
It's at the discretion of the security officer to decide on the offense they are detaining or arresting on.
Just because a security officer has arrest authority does not mean they have the experience to detain or make an arrest. We at Houston Metro Security are mostly former law enforcement officers that have arrest and detention experience. Experience Matters to ensure the right decisions are made.
Houston Metro Security Officers are licensed to deter, detain, and / or arrest when an incident warrants. A citizen cannot do that, that requires a security license.
Houston Metro Security Officers are highly trained and experienced in high crime areas and properties. Houston Metro Security Officers have made hundreds of arrests, identified hundreds of violent felons, confiscated hundreds of guns off suspects, and much more - since 2005.
Houston Metro Security:
- Has security training and experience coupled with their prior law enforcement experience.
- Can enforce private property rules.
- Can issue Trespass Warnings on behalf of the client
- Can enforce our Houston Metro Security Trespass affidavits. The affidavits have legal authority.
- Can enforce "No Trespassing" Signs
- Can stop and search without probable cause and detain / arrest a person on criminal offenses.
- and much more..
The issue with the discount security companies is that they charge low rates to compensate for their lack of experience which not only endangers the security officer's safety but also exposes the client to lawsuits. Experience deters suspects, not tough looking security officers. In Security, you can't play the part, you have to know the part.
In Texas, off-duty police officers are not licensed or insured to provide security. They have no legal authority without probable cause. They cannot act as an agent of a private property, even with written consent from the property owner, due to them being government employees 24/7.
- They do not have Security Training. They do not receive security training on the police job.
- Legally cannot enforce private property rules.
- They cannot issue Trespass Warnings on behalf of the client.
- They cannot enforce "city" trespass affidavits since they not are authorized by state law. The affidavits have no legal authority.
- They cannot enforce "No Trespassing" Signs.
- They cannot stop or detain a person on private property without probable cause.
- They legally cannot access their police databases for their personal or off-duty use.
- and many more restrictions to name here..
Police Officers have qualified immunity, which is not an insurance policy. Generally, qualified immunity only protects the officer when they take an action in good faith making them immune from civil liability - not the client. The client assumes all liability on behalf of the off-duty police officer in the event they are sued.
Copyright © 2024 HOUSTON METRO SECURITY - All Rights Reserved.
TPSB LIC# B13132
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.