Quote Originally Posted by Goofball
I believe it's the same here. But I think private security firms have their people undergo specific training with respect to their powers of arrest, and the specific application of those powers.
Some might - I know that many don't. Ie for extra money I often do a little side private security work. The basic security guard is basically informed of their powers as being the same as any citizens.

I work in a busy downtown core, and right accross the street from my office is a large, national retailer. I see their private security guards arresting people and holding them until police arrive all the time.
Yep, and if they run, the security guard has to be very careful on how far he goes in restraining the individual prior to the police actually arriving.