Should this reporter have been arrested?

Security is just that, security. They do not have the power to arrest or detain ANY individual.

 

I imagine they can detain people. My first university had security who detained and then called the real police for the arrest.

 

I will say this once more and very slowly. A security officer is not a law enforcement officer. He or she DOES NOT have the power to detain or arrest anyone. Any security officer who does that is also subject to arrest.

 

Then tell me why the story specifically said security and that they had to wait for police to come arrest her?

 

Why in the world would you tip off the police? You're about to break the law, regardless of motive. Would you expect them to say 'hey, good luck, let us know if you get busted!'?

 

I know what the story said. I'm telling you what is the law. No security guard, unless he is a recognized agent of law enforcement, can legally detain or arrest someone.

 

Some are, boots. Security agents can go through the same law enforcement training as others. That's why some security guards carry guns and others don't. :

 

That's not totally correct. They go through law enforcement training but ARE NOT law enforcement officers. I know. I've done it. Carrying a gun and protecting a store does not give you law enforcement power.

 

Umm, yes she should have been arrested and you are both right and wrong.
At some hospitals, like medical schools, the security guards are actually sworn law enforcement and function as a police department, at other places they are armed security guards with no arrest powers and at other places they are unarmed security guards.

 

Yes you are correct. But in many instances, they don't have arrest powers. The only person that can arrest you is a duly appointed law enforcement agent.

 

But can they detain you until the police come so you can be arrested?

For example, Boots, if I were to rip off a Wal-Mart and they catch me, don't they have the right to hold me until the police come?

 

Yes, they do markvid. That's all I was trying to say.