WHAT ARE THE AUTHORITIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS?

Persons who are in charge of defense by protecting real or legal persons in the areas they protect or provide
security during their term of office are called private security guards. Private security guards are legal
and applies the mandatory provisions written in the regulations. These articles, which are regulated within
the framework of private security officers' authorities and responsibilities, also define the job obligations of the personnel.

The main task of private security guards is to provide deterrence (preventiveness) in attacks to be made against the areas or persons they protect or secure. For example, an attacker who wants to attack a shopping mall may give up his action psychologically when the private security guard senses his presence there. If deterrence does not work despite all the measures, private security personnel; It also has risk-preventing duties such as catching the suspect, informing the police or gendarmerie, preserving the evidence that is the subject of the crime, and assisting the law enforcement officers upon their arrival at the scene.

Jurisdiction of Private Security Officers

Private security guards can use their authority in the field of duty, with the duration and ID card attached so that it can be seen by everyone. The powers of private security officers may differ according to their field of duty. However, in general, there are some powers that all private security officers have. These:

• Security guards have the authority to ask for identification in areas such as concerts, meetings, sports competitions, especially in events with high crowds of people. In addition to these, private security officers have the authority to ask for identity cards in places such as stations, airports and ports.
• Persons serving as private security have the authority to search for those entering and leaving the protected area. However, private security guards can only do this with technical equipment, they are not authorized to search manually.
• Private security guards also have some authority in matters such as taking custody or confiscation. Items left or forgotten anywhere can be taken by private security as a safe deposit. In addition, they have the authority to take as escrow things that may pose a danger during a search or that are considered to be criminal items. They also have the right to confiscate such items.
• Among the powers and responsibilities of private security guards is the right to arrest. They have the right to catch the person concerned during any crime committed in their field of duty. In addition to this, they can catch people who have an arrest warrant or conviction, only within the scope of their duties.
• Finally, persons serving as armed security have the authority to possess and carry weapons. But for private security guards, using a gun is considered the last step. Because the last stage of the authority to use force is the authority to use weapons.

Responsibilities of Private Security Officers

In addition to these powers that private security officers have only in their field of duty, there are also some responsibilities that they are obliged to do:

• Security guards can guide people in the areas they work in (especially hospitals, banks, shopping malls) by acting as a consultant if necessary.
• They keep the entrances and exits under control in their duty areas. This includes both employee and visitor entries and exits. During these entrances and exits, they are responsible for ensuring the security of the environment by using their authority to ask for identity and make calls to people they see as suspicious.
• It is one of the most important responsibilities of security officers to provide a safe environment in the workplace and in the public areas where they are assigned, and to create an environment of peace for everyone.
• In case of an incident in the working area, keeping and monitoring the camera records, if any, is the responsibility of the private security guards. Necessary investigations must be made. In addition, in case of any incident, reporting the situation to the necessary law enforcement officers is among the duties of the private security guards.

Private security officers have a wide range of authority and responsibility. offers a wide range of services. Private security's powers and responsibilities are determined by special legislation. Various sanctions may be imposed if these powers and responsibilities are violated. Therefore, the personnel on duty should act carefully and conscious of their responsibilities.