What is a primary difference between the duties of a security officer and a police officer?

The key distinction highlighted in the correct answer focuses on the fundamental mission and operational scope of police officers. Police officers are sworn law enforcement professionals whose primary responsibility is to protect the public at large, which includes all individuals and property, irrespective of ownership or location. This duty is mandated by law and emphasizes their role in maintaining public safety and enforcing laws across communities.

In contrast, security officers typically operate within defined private contexts, focusing chiefly on the security of specific properties or businesses. Their authority is limited to the premises they are hired to protect, and they do not have the same legal empowerment as police officers to enforce laws in the broader community.

This understanding underscores the essential roles each officer type plays within the public safety landscape: police officers are universal protectors, while security officers tend to have more restricted responsibilities related to the environments in which they serve.