PSBD Security Guard Exam key terms

The legal and moral obligation of a security guard to take reasonable steps to avoid causing harm to people or property within the area they control. It requires acting prudently and foreseeing likely risks.

The minimum level of physical intervention that a guard honestly believes is necessary to prevent harm, escape, or a crime, judged against what a sensible person would do in the same situation. Excessive force can make the guard liable.

The limited power of an ordinary person, including a security guard, to detain someone suspected of an offence. It must be based on a genuine suspicion, the offence must be serious enough, and the person must be handed to police promptly.

Keeping a person from leaving against their will. A guard may only detain lawfully, for a short time and for a valid reason such as preventing a crime, and must not use more restraint than necessary.

Unlawfully restricting a person's freedom of movement without legal authority or consent. A guard who detains someone without lawful justification can face criminal and civil action.

An act that causes a person to reasonably fear immediate unlawful violence, even without physical contact. Threatening gestures or words can amount to assault, and guards must avoid any such behaviour.

The unlawful application of physical force to another person without their consent. Any unwanted touching, including grabbing or pushing, can be battery unless justified by lawful self-defence or reasonable force.

Entering or remaining on private property without permission or lawful authority. Guards may ask trespassers to leave and use reasonable force if they refuse, but must follow site policy and the law.

The authority a guard has to allow or refuse people onto a site, based on the owner's instructions and any legal powers. Guards must know who may enter and under what conditions.

The procedures and systems used to decide who may enter a site, area or building and under what conditions. It includes checking identification, passes, and permissions and recording entries and exits.

Verifying a person's identity using a valid document such as a photo ID, staff badge, or pass before granting entry. Guards must compare the person to the document and record the check accurately.

A written or electronic record of everyone who enters and leaves a site, including name, time, purpose, and host. It supports security, fire evacuation headcounts, and later investigations.

A planned or random walk-through of a site to detect hazards, deter crime, and check that security measures are working. Patrols should follow a route and be recorded accurately.

A record of patrol times, routes, checkpoints, and any observations or issues found. It provides evidence that duties were carried out and helps identify patterns or repeat problems.

Discouraging criminal or unwanted behaviour through the visible presence of security staff, lighting, cameras, and procedures. A confident, alert guard presence is itself a security measure.

The deliberate and attentive watching of people, places, and events to notice anything unusual, unsafe, or suspicious. Good observation relies on all senses and accurate memory, not assumption.

A structured account of a person, vehicle, or object using clear, factual details such as height, build, clothing, and distinguishing features. Descriptions should be recorded promptly while memory is fresh.

A written or spoken account of what a guard saw, heard, or did during an incident. It must be factual, chronological, and free of opinion or speculation so it can be relied on later.

A formal record of an unusual event such as an accident, theft, or confrontation. It should state who, what, when, where, and actions taken, using objective language and no blame.

A written record completed whenever a guard uses physical intervention, detailing the reason, the force used, and the outcome. It protects the guard and the organisation by showing the action was justified.

The principle that any response or force used must match the seriousness of the threat and stop once the threat ends. It ensures guards do not overreact or continue force unnecessarily.

The lawful use of reasonable force to protect oneself from an immediate threat of harm. The force must be necessary and proportionate, and it ends when the danger has passed.

Techniques such as calm speech, space, active listening, and body language used to reduce tension before a situation becomes violent. It is the preferred first response before any physical intervention.

The clear exchange of information through speech, listening, and body language. Guards must communicate accurately with the public, colleagues, and emergency services to perform their duties safely.

Behaving with honesty, fairness, respect, and integrity while on duty, including following the law and site rules. It builds trust and protects the reputation of the guard and employer.

The duty not to disclose private or sensitive information learned during work, except where the law or safety requires it. Guards should share information only on a need-to-know basis.

The legal rules governing how personal information, such as visitor records or CCTV footage, is collected, stored, and shared. Guards must handle such data lawfully and securely.

Closed-circuit television used to monitor and record activity on a site. Guards must know the system's purpose, privacy limits, and how to preserve footage for investigations.

The organised movement of people out of a building to a safe place during a fire or other emergency. It follows a planned route and assembly point and is led by trained staff.

A pre-arranged safe location outside a building where people gather after evacuation so they can be counted. Guards must know its location and help direct people there.

The process of checking that everyone is accounted for at the assembly point after an evacuation. It involves comparing names or numbers against visitor and staff records.

A trained person responsible for checking areas, guiding people to exits, and reporting to the assembly point during a fire evacuation. Guards often act as or support fire wardens.

A portable device for putting out small fires, classed by the type of fire it suits, such as water, foam, CO2, or powder. Guards must know where they are and how to use them safely.

The three elements needed for fire: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Removing any one of them extinguishes or prevents fire, which explains how extinguishers and safe practices work.

A careful review of what could cause harm, how likely it is, and what controls are needed to reduce it. Guards should follow site risk assessments and report new hazards they notice.

Anything with the potential to cause harm, such as a wet floor, loose cable, or faulty light. Guards must identify, report, and where possible remove hazards promptly.

Clothing or equipment worn to reduce the risk of injury, such as gloves, high-visibility vests, or safety shoes. Guards must use it as instructed and report damage.

The steps a guard takes to protect themselves from harm, including staying alert, keeping escape routes, maintaining safe distance, and calling for backup. Personal safety comes before property protection.