Government security officers

Protective security officers are not police officers. They are hired by the government to monitor state buildings and facilities. The main purpose of security officers is to act as security guards to state buildings. At times they may also work as guards for buildings which are not state buildings. If they are not working at a State building, they are not considered “government security officers” and only have the powers of a regular security guard – (see the security guard fact sheet. Where is this?) 

Senior protective security officers have additional powers. As it is difficult to identify the type of protective security officer, this sheet refers to powers that are given to protective security officers and senior protective security officers. 

 What are the powers of protective security officers?

If you are inside or within the precinct of a state building, a protective security officer may ask you: 

• Your name and address 

• Proof of your name or address (driver’s licence, student ID card etc) 

• The reason you are at the building.     

It is an offence not to provide this information and you can be asked to leave the building. The protective security officer should tell you this before asking.  

It is also an offence to: 

• provide the officer with false information; or 

• provide the officer with a fake ID or an ID card that contains someone else’s details.   

If the building that you are entering has electronic screening devices such as a metal detector, an x-ray machine or handheld scanner, a security officer can ask you to:  

• walk through the metal detector   

• pass your things through an X-ray machine   

• allow the officer to scan you and/or your belongings with a hand held scanner.  

It is an offence not to do this and you can be asked to leave the building. The protective security officer should tell you this before asking.  

What is a state building?

• A state building is any building that is owned by the government (the State Library, courts, youth justice service centres, child safety service centres and state schools).   

• This also includes any outside part of the building like a courtyard, garden or park.    

Powers of a protective security officer  

If a protective security officer considers it necessary for the security of a state building, they can ask you to: 

• let them look through your things

• take off outer garments for inspection (jackets, jumpers etc)

• empty all of your pockets

• open your things (like your backpack) for inspection,   

• open a vehicle or part of it for inspection 

• take something off the vehicle for inspection

• park the vehicle in a specified place.    

It is an offence if you don’t obey you can be asked to leave the building. The protective security officer should tell you this before asking.  

If an officer believes you are hiding something dangerous or unlawful (dangerous weapon or drugs) in your belongings, then you must put the item where they tell you.  If you are in possession of an unlawful item, they may seize it.

Other powers of a protective security officer:  

• Protective security officers can ask you to leave the building if you don’t give your name and address or act in a way that the officer believes you are not there for a “good and lawful” reason.

• If you do not leave when asked, any protective security officer can use necessary force to remove you from the building.

• You can be fined a lot of money if you provide false details like your name to the protective security officer or you do not leave a state building when asked.

• Protective security officers can inspect the outer clothes you are wearing. They must provide the reason for the request. They must be of the same sex as you or get another adult of the same sex as you to search you or your clothing.

• If the protective security officers wants you to take off an outer garment, they must tell you the reason for the request. You can ask to do this in a room out of the public view.

• Protective security officers need to inspect you in a way that does not embarrass you and ensure the protection of your dignity.

• When you are leaving the building, the protective security officer must give back your things when you ask for them. They do not have to return items that are unlawful for you to possess.

• You can tell an officer before or during a search of you or your things that you do not want to be searched and are going to leave the building. You must then leave the building.

Can protective security officers arrest me?  

If the protective security officer thinks that you have committed an offence they can use necessary force to detain you. They must hand you over to the police as soon as possible.

Try to remain calm and not fight back because assaulting or resisting a security officer is an offence – with a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment.

Treated unfairly?  

If you think you have been treated unfairly, you can contact YAC on 3356 1002 for further information and advice.  

If you want to complain about being moved on by security or the way you were treated by security, you should contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 74 68.