AR Security Guard flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Citizen's arrest authority

A private guard may arrest for a felony or a breach-of-peace misdemeanor committed in the guard's presence, matching the authority of any private citizen.

Shopkeeper's privilege

A legal doctrine permitting brief detention of a suspected shoplifter on probable cause, for a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, to investigate and recover property.

False imprisonment

Intentional confinement of a person without consent or lawful authority; a guard can commit it by blocking exit or detaining without legal basis.

Probable cause

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe an offense occurred and the subject committed it; required for lawful detention.

Trespass enforcement

A guard acting for the property owner may lawfully direct persons to leave and enforce exclusion rules the owner could enforce.

Impersonating police

A guard may not claim law enforcement authority, demand compliance as an officer, or use police insignia; doing so is a criminal offense.

Consent search

A search of person or property is lawful when voluntary consent is given; refusal cannot be overcome by force absent another legal basis.

Force proportionality

The level of force used must match the threat presented, and force must stop once the threat is neutralized or the subject is controlled.

Deadly force standard

Deadly force is justified only to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to the guard or another person; it is never used to protect property.

Force continuum

A graduated scale from presence and verbal commands through empty-hand control and intermediate weapons to deadly force, matched to subject resistance.

Positional asphyxia

Fatal breathing restriction caused by body position, commonly prone restraint with weight on the back; move the subject to a recovery position once controlled.

Handcuff justification

Handcuffing is a use of force requiring a documented reason such as resistance or flight risk; it is not automatic for every detained person.

Duty to render aid

After using force that causes injury, a guard must summon medical assistance and provide aid within the scope of training.

De-escalation

Verbal techniques such as calm tone, space, active listening, and clear commands used to reduce tension before physical force becomes necessary.

Detention communication

A guard states the reason for detention, keeps the person informed, and uses the least restrictive means consistent with safety.

Random patrol

Patrol with unpredictable timing and routes that reduces offender opportunity by removing the ability to anticipate guard presence.

Patrol log entry

A record of time, location, observed condition, and action taken at each checkpoint, forming the documented basis for later reports.

Seven-part description

A person description framework covering age, sex, race, height, weight, hair, and clothing, used for accurate observation and reporting.

Fact versus conclusion

Reports record directly observed actions, such as 'placed item in bag,' rather than inferences like 'stole merchandise.'

Chronological report

An incident report organized by time sequence answering who, what, when, where, why, and how, without opinion or editorial language.

Chain of custody

A documented record of who handled evidence, when, and where, preserving integrity for later investigation or legal proceedings.

Perimeter check

Verification of doors, windows, lighting, and access points for security deficiencies, with findings logged for maintenance follow-up.

Life safety priority

In any emergency, protection of human life takes precedence over property protection and scene preservation.

Fire evacuation rule

On fire alarm, activate notification, call emergency services, evacuate via designated routes, and never use elevators.

Bomb threat call

Record exact words, time, location, device description, and caller details; do not touch suspicious items and follow evacuation protocol.

Active threat options

Response choices include evacuation, sheltering with barricades, and last-resort defense; the site's written policy governs which applies.

Emergency call content

Report location, nature of emergency, injuries, and needed resources in that order to give responders actionable information quickly.

Unified command

A single established point of command with assigned communication channels that prevents conflicting actions during an incident.

Crowd release staging

Controlled, sequenced release of a crowd using barriers and clear announcements to prevent crushing and panic.

Confidentiality duty

A guard does not disclose client business, personnel matters, incident details, or access codes except to authorized persons.

Gratuity prohibition

Accepting gifts or favors that create obligation or the appearance of favoritism violates professional ethics and employer policy.

Bias-free conduct

Treating all persons based on observed behavior and facts rather than protected characteristics such as race, religion, or sex.