Excuse the intromission.
"Security" guards are simple civilians just like you and me, with as much of a right to touch you (without your permission that constitutes assault) or search your belongings. You can (and I do) refuse to be searched by a "security" guard and either ask them to call the police, or if they are uncooperative (as they are in this situation), call them yourself. Explain to the police that you are not agreeable to being searched by a civilian and request that they do it themselves. It my experience so far police officers have always gone about it in an unfailingly professional way, which makes the situation much less stressful.
Now, if you want to see in action the best, real security professionals there is to be found, I suggest you fly on El-Al. So impressive in many levels, including making you feel that they are working with you, not against you.