In a 'normal' place of business is a good question. The question then becomes in my mind what they sign. If they sign a release or agree to certain policies then it would be based on those policies. I know I had to sign an agreement that gives them the right to search my vehicle whenever I am on company property. My question is this: can't a security guard hold someone for the police to arrive? How can a LP person hold a shoplifter til the police arrive? I think the same reasoning would apply in this case as well.
Greg
As former LP myself, I am familiar with what you're talking about. It falls under a pseudo 'citizen's arrest' or 'merchant's arrest'. But, we were able to hold them for the police because they just committed a crime, namely THEFT.
But in this case, the OP did no crime, nothing illegal. He just broke an apparent company policy. Therefore why would they need to call the police if no law had been broken?
Now, if the OP has at some point signed a company document consenting to a search, then that certainly muddies the waters even further.