My point, Spaceman, is that they DO have a lawful right (in Arkansas) to detain/question you. Think of them what you want, but YOU'RE the one who might end up in a lot of trouble, just because you want to prove to them that they are not "real" cops.
Security guards have no rights really but if someone put their hands on me, I'm taking them down in a painful way as I'm allowed to do if assaulted.
In Arkansas, the owners or employees (security personnel, sales people, etc.) of a store have a right to "detain in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time" any person giving rise to a presumption that they are shoplifting.
impending suit for false detention and arrest
You do mean verbally detain someone, right? ie. "Wait there a moment", "Stay there while I check this out", etc.Well I'm not a cop but I do have the right to detain you...
But see, if they had any reason to believe you MIGHT have been shoplifting (your non-cooperation would not be viewed favorably, I'm afraid) you'd lose the lawsuit... that's an aweful lot of wasted energy, time, money, just to make a point.
If I'm guarding a store and suspect you of wrong doing and you refuse to show me your bag -- again, I'll call for back up to force you to comply or explain your attitude problem at the police station.
Should add that while my authority is definately limited, put your hands on me you're going down -- guard or not.
They have a job -- it's not personal, just policy.
I can verbally detain you and block the exit. If you touch me, I touch you back.
Ah, that's where we (U.S. Citizens) get in trouble. "I'm not doing anything wrong, I have nothing to hide, why should I care if I'm detained and searched evertime I enter this building, get on this airplane, or hey how about just anytime somebody in authority feels like it.I'd show them the respect of allowing them to search me. After all, I've done nothing wrong so what would I care?
It's a funny thing about this country. We the people tend to like running the place. Sometimes we have to be a little ascertive to keep it that way. Please take no offence, it's not personal.Strange, I was always taught to respect people of authority. I didn't know so many people got technical about it and had all these loopholes.