What is meant by "detaining" someone as a security guard?

Detaining someone as a security guard refers to the practice of holding an individual temporarily based on reasonable suspicion that they may be involved in suspicious or unlawful activity. This concept is grounded in the idea that security personnel have the authority to intervene when they believe someone may pose a threat to safety or security within their jurisdiction.

The critical element here is "reasonable suspicion," which means that the security guard must have specific and articulable facts that warrant concern, rather than just a vague hunch or intuition. This temporary holding allows the guard to assess the situation further, which can include verifying the person's identity or gathering additional information before deciding how to proceed.

This definition is distinct from other options, such as arresting someone, which is a legal action typically reserved for law enforcement officers and requires probable cause. Similarly, reporting someone to the police involves a different action after a suspicion has been established, and asking someone to leave does not involve any assumption of wrongdoing but rather a request for compliance with premises rules. Thus, the correct interpretation of "detaining" is accurately reflected in the context of reasonable suspicion.