By Skagit Safety Services · Reviewed by Bert Markley, Director of Training (30+ years in private security) · Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice — laws change, and your attorney has the final say.
The short version
- Security officers are not police, and Washington law says they can’t act like it.
- Holding someone is only allowed in narrow situations — good security de-escalates and calls police instead.
- Recording private conversations in Washington needs everyone’s consent.
Security officers are not police
Private security officers in Washington are licensed by the Department of Licensing under chapter 18.170 RCW. It is unprofessional conduct for a security guard to make any statement that would reasonably cause someone to believe the guard is a sworn peace officer (RCW 18.170.170). Our officers identify themselves as private security, every time.
Can security detain someone?
Washington’s use-of-force statute allows force to be “reasonably used by a person to detain someone who enters or remains unlawfully in a building or on real property lawfully in the possession of such person,” only if the detention is reasonable in duration and manner to investigate why the person is there, and only where the premises did not reasonably appear to be open to the public (RCW 9A.16.020(4)). It also allows force that is not more than necessary to prevent an offense against a person or a malicious trespass or interference with property (RCW 9A.16.020(3)).
Those are narrow exceptions, and getting them wrong exposes officers and clients to real liability. Our standard is de-escalation first: observe, communicate, ask people to leave, document, and call the police.
Can security record conversations?
Washington is an all-party-consent state for recording private conversations and communications: it is generally unlawful to record them without the consent of everyone involved (RCW 9.73.030). Consent is considered obtained when the parties are told, in a reasonably effective way, that the conversation is being recorded — and the announcement itself must be recorded. There are limited exceptions, such as communications reporting an emergency. Body cameras and audio recording need a clear policy reviewed by your legal counsel.
Can security carry weapons?
Carrying a firearm on duty requires an armed private security guard license; carrying one without it is unprofessional conduct (RCW 18.170.170). Other equipment depends on the company’s policies and the client’s post orders.
What our officers do
- Patrol and keep a visible, professional presence
- Control access and check people in
- Ask trespassers and rule-breakers to leave
- De-escalate conflicts with communication
- Call police, fire and EMS when needed — and give first aid when trained
- Document everything in writing
Questions
Can apartment security detain you in Washington?
Only in narrow situations. RCW 9A.16.020(4) allows reasonable force to detain someone who is unlawfully in a building or on property, for a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, only where the premises did not reasonably appear to be open to the public. Most apartment security work — including ours — relies on asking people to leave and calling the police instead.
Can a security guard say they are a police officer?
No. It is unprofessional conduct for a Washington security guard to make any statement that would reasonably cause someone to believe they are a sworn peace officer (RCW 18.170.170).
Can security guards record you in Washington?
Video in areas without an expectation of privacy is common, but recording private conversations generally requires the consent of everyone in them (RCW 9.73.030). Consent can be obtained by announcing the recording, and the announcement must be recorded.