"Professional security begins with professional conduct."
Legal Powers and Limitations
Instructor Sele: Knowing what you can do legally is as important as knowing what to do in an emergency. A guard who acts outside the law becomes the problem. This module will keep you on the right side.
Section 1 — Civilian Powers in Liberia
As a security guard in Liberia, your authority comes from common law and contractual agreement with your client. You MAY: ask persons to identify themselves on private property; refuse entry to or remove persons from private premises; use reasonable force in genuine self-defence or defence of others; detain a person only if you have directly witnessed them committing a serious crime (citizen's arrest — a high legal threshold).
You may NOT: search a person without their explicit consent; detain anyone for extended periods without involving the police; use force that is disproportionate to the threat; carry a firearm unless you hold a valid firearms licence issued under Liberian law.
Section 2 — Use of Force and the Law
Force must always be: necessary, proportionate, and reasonable. Any force you use will be judged by a court against what a reasonable person would have done in the same situation. "I was angry" or "I wanted to teach them a lesson" are not defences.
Section 3 — Post Orders and Legal Compliance
Your post orders are a legal document. They describe the exact authority granted by your client for your specific post. Anything not covered in your post orders should be escalated to your supervisor — do not improvise your legal authority.
- •Your legal powers are civilian powers — you are not a police officer
- •Reasonable force in genuine self-defence or defence of others is lawful
- •Citizen's arrest requires witnessing a serious crime directly
- •Unauthorised searches, excessive force, and unlawful detention are criminal offences
- •Always refer to your post orders for the scope of your authority
"I have seen guards search bags at a checkpoint without consent, thinking they were being thorough. The client received a formal complaint and nearly lost a major contract. Always ask politely. Consent given is consent protected — for you and the client."
A security guard in Liberia may lawfully search a visitor's bag: