CA Security Guard key terms

A detention or arrest made by a private person, including a security guard, who witnesses a crime or has probable cause to believe one occurred; the person must be delivered to a peace officer without unnecessary delay.

A legal protection allowing a merchant or employee to detain a person for a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner to investigate suspected shoplifting, recover property, and summon law enforcement.

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has been, is being, or will be committed and that a particular person is involved.

A brief stop of a person based on specific, articulable facts suggesting involvement in criminal activity, limited in scope and duration to confirming or dispelling the suspicion.

Taking a person into custody to answer for a criminal offense; private security officers generally make arrests only under citizen's arrest authority and must promptly transfer custody to law enforcement.

A contracted guard generally has no more arrest or search power than a private citizen; authority comes from citizen's arrest law, the property owner's consent, and company policy.

The amount of force a reasonable person would use under similar circumstances, limited to what is necessary to accomplish a lawful purpose such as self-defense or an arrest.

Force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; in California it may be used only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious injury to oneself or others.

Communication and tactical techniques intended to reduce tension, gain voluntary compliance, and lessen the need for force whenever it is safe and feasible to do so.

The legal test asking whether a reasonable officer facing the same facts would have used the same force, judged from the perspective of a reasonable person on scene without hindsight.

The obligation of a guard who sees another guard using clearly excessive force to intervene when reasonably possible and to report the conduct afterward.

Death or injury from restricted breathing caused by body position, such as weight on the back or a bent neck; guards must monitor and reposition restrained people.

Fully concentrating on a speaker, listening for both facts and feelings, and confirming understanding through paraphrasing and questions rather than interrupting.

A question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no and invites the person to give detail, such as 'What happened next?'

Restating in your own words what a person has said in order to confirm understanding and show that you are listening.

Body language, posture, facial expression, tone of voice, and distance that convey meaning, often shaping how a message is received more than the words alone.

Standard procedures for radio transmissions, including clear speech, identifying yourself, waiting for acknowledgment, and using plain language or approved codes.

A documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence, when, and where, from collection through court, used to show the evidence has not been altered.

Notes made at or near the time of an event while memory is fresh, which may be used to refresh recollection and to support the accuracy of a report.

A written narrative documenting what happened, who was involved, actions taken, and evidence collected; it should be factual, chronological, and complete.

Having a witness identify a suspect, ideally through fair procedures that avoid suggestion, because memory can be distorted by stress and leading questions.

The ongoing effort by security personnel to build trust and cooperation with the public through courteous, fair, consistent, and professional interactions that reflect well on the employer and the community.

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can affect perception, decisions, and behavior; recognizing them helps guards treat people fairly and avoid assumptions.

Selecting or treating someone differently for surveillance, stops, or enforcement based on race, ethnicity, or religion rather than behavior or evidence; it is prohibited.

Understanding that people's backgrounds, languages, and customs differ, and adjusting communication and expectations so interactions are respectful and effective.

Managing groups through planning, communication, positioning, and coordinated movement to keep people safe and maintain order or access.

Projecting calm confidence through posture, voice, and clear direction so that people look to you for guidance during a crowd situation or emergency.

An outer boundary established around an incident to contain it, control access, and keep bystanders at a safe distance.

A clear path for people to exit an area; keeping exits and routes unobstructed is essential during crowd movement and emergencies.

A court order requiring a person to appear at a specified time and place to testify or produce documents; ignoring it can be punished as contempt.

Questioning of a witness by the side that called them, typically using open questions that let the witness tell the story in their own words.

Questioning of a witness by the opposing side, often using leading questions to test the witness's accuracy, consistency, and credibility.

A statement made outside of court offered to prove its truth; it is generally inadmissible, so guards should testify about what they personally saw or heard.

The believability of a witness, shaped by consistency, demeanor, accuracy, and possible bias; preparation and truthful testimony build it.

A written plan describing roles, alarms, evacuation routes, and communication procedures for emergencies such as fire, medical crisis, or violence.

Moving people out of a building or area to a safe location using designated routes, assembly points, and clear direction.

Keeping people inside a secure area during an external hazard such as a chemical release or active threat, with doors locked and ventilation controlled.

An automated external defibrillator, a portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock to restore a normal rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest.

The technique for using a fire extinguisher: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep side to side while keeping an exit behind you.