CSO (CDR) key terms

The legal and ethical obligation of a security officer to act reasonably to protect people and property within the scope of the assigned post. Failing in that obligation can support a negligence claim.

A written set of principles guiding officer conduct, covering honesty, impartiality, confidentiality, and respect for the rights of others. It sets expectations that go beyond simple rule compliance.

The practice of limiting access to sensitive information, such as incident details, personnel data, and client business, to people with a legitimate need to know it.

Written site-specific instructions describing an officer's duties, patrol expectations, reporting requirements, and emergency procedures at a particular assignment. They supplement general company policy.

Failure to use the care a reasonable officer would use in similar circumstances, resulting in harm. Proving it generally requires duty, breach, causation, and damages.

The level of caution and competence expected of a reasonably prudent security officer performing comparable duties under similar conditions. Policy, training, and industry practice often define it.

The amount of physical control that a prudent officer facing similar circumstances would judge necessary and proportionate to prevent harm or detain a subject. It must stop once resistance ends.

A graduated framework pairing levels of subject resistance with proportionate officer responses, from mere presence and verbal direction up to physical control. It guides escalation and de-escalation decisions.

Intentionally restricting a person's freedom of movement without lawful authority or consent, in circumstances where that person believes they are unable to leave.

The limited authority of a non-police person to detain someone who has committed a felony or breach of the peace in their presence, as defined by local law.

The documented, unbroken record of who handled evidence or recovered property, and when, from collection through final disposition. Gaps reduce its credibility in investigations and hearings.

A factual written account of an event prepared soon after it occurs, covering who, what, when, where, how, and what actions were taken in response.

Recording only directly observed facts and verified information while avoiding opinions, conclusions, and speculation about a person's motives or character.

A running record of shift activity, including patrols completed, contacts made, irregularities found, and equipment checks, normally submitted at the end of the shift.

The process of regulating who may enter an area, where they may go, and when, using identification, credentials, barriers, and logs.

Checking that an identification card, badge, or pass is genuine, still valid, and actually belongs to the person presenting it before access is granted.

An unauthorized person following an authorized person through a controlled door or gate without presenting their own credentials or being screened.

The documented issue, secure storage, and return of keys and access devices so that unauthorized copying or use can be prevented and traced.

The process of registering, badging, escorting, and logging guests on a site, including confirming the purpose of the visit and the time of departure.

A written site plan describing how occupants respond to fire, medical, weather, or security emergencies, including assigned roles, escape routes, and communication methods.

The orderly movement of people out of a threatened building or area to a safe location using designated routes and exits.

Directing occupants to stay indoors and secure themselves in a protected interior space when leaving the building would expose them to greater danger.

Securing occupants inside rooms, locking doors, and denying entry during an active threat such as an armed intruder on or near the property.

A pre-designated safe outdoor location where evacuees gather so that they can be counted and accounted for after leaving a building.

The three elements required for combustion: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Removing any one of them will extinguish the fire.

Letter groupings of fire by fuel type: A ordinary combustibles, B flammable liquids, C energized electrical equipment, D combustible metals, and K cooking oils.

A four-step fire extinguisher technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the flames, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

The continuous, unobstructed path from any point in a building to a public way, made up of exit access, the exit itself, and exit discharge.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Evacuate or Extinguish if trained and safe.

Radio and telephone communication that uses plain everyday words instead of codes or jargon, so every listener on the channel understands the message the first time.

Fully concentrating on a speaker, paraphrasing what was said, and confirming understanding instead of planning a reply. It calms people and reduces miscommunication.

A closed-circuit television system of cameras that sends video to monitors or recorders for live observation and later review of incidents.

Receiving and evaluating signals from intrusion, duress, or fire sensors, then verifying the situation and dispatching or notifying the appropriate response.

Any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or disruptive behavior that occurs at or is connected with the workplace.

Verbal and behavioral techniques, such as a calm tone, giving space, and showing empathy, used to reduce a person's agitation before force becomes necessary.

A structured process of gathering information about a person's behavior and communications to judge whether violence is likely and what response is appropriate.

Wearable or usable gear such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility vests, and respirators that reduces a worker's exposure to identified hazards.

Infectious microorganisms carried in blood and other body fluids, such as hepatitis B and HIV, which can be transmitted through needlesticks or contact with broken skin.

A standardized document listing a chemical's hazards, safe handling methods, required protective equipment, and first-aid measures, kept accessible to workers who use it.

Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using barriers accordingly, regardless of what is known about a person's health status.