Under what condition may a security officer detain a suspect?

A security officer is legally permitted to detain a suspect if they have reasonable suspicion that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. This means the officer must have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that the individual is involved in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause, allowing officers to act in situations where they sense a threat or potential wrongdoing based on their observations and training.

In contrast, being verbally aggressive does not provide a legal basis for detention, as it does not imply involvement in a crime. Recognizing someone from past incidents may lead to suspicion but does not establish reasonable suspicion unless it is accompanied by additional facts. Finally, the intent to question someone does not justify detention unless there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; simply wanting to ask questions is insufficient grounds for detainment.