FL Security Guard cheat sheet

Florida security officers generally hold a Class D license; the Class G license is required to carry a firearm on duty.

Chapter 493, Florida Statutes, governs the licensing and regulation of private security officers and agencies.

A security officer's authority is largely the same as a private citizen's: arrest power is limited to citizen's arrest for a felony or a breach of the peace committed in the officer's presence.

Use of force must be reasonable and proportional; deadly force is justified only to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.

Detention of a person by a private officer without legal grounds can constitute false imprisonment, a civil and criminal exposure.

Searching a person or their property generally requires consent or a valid legal exception; private officers are not bound by the Fourth Amendment in the same way as police but may face civil liability.

Duty to act arises from a contractual or assumed responsibility; once care is undertaken, failure to act reasonably can create negligence liability.

Confidential information learned on post (e.g., resident data) should not be disclosed except as required by law or authorized policy.

Ethical standards include honesty in reporting, avoiding conflicts of interest, and refusing gratuities that could compromise impartiality.

Three elements of access control: identify the person, authenticate their credential, and authorize the level of access.

Something you know (PIN), something you have (badge/key), something you are (biometrics) are the three authentication factors.

Two-factor authentication combines two different factor types; two passwords are not two factors.

Tailgating (following an authorized person through a door) and piggybacking (with consent) are common physical breaches.

Anti-passback logic prevents a credential from being used to enter twice without an intervening exit.

Access control principles: least privilege (minimum access needed) and need-to-know.

Visitor management requires logging identity, purpose, time in, host, and time out.

Mantraps/interlocking doors allow only one person at a time and prevent tailgating in high-security areas.

Perimeter, exterior, and interior are the three layers of physical access control; each should be independently secured.

Patrol deterrence relies on unpredictability: vary routes, timing, and direction to avoid pattern-setting.

Foot patrol improves observation and community contact; vehicle patrol covers more area and responds faster.

A patrol officer should check doors, windows, lighting, fences, and access points on each round.

Clock/checkpoint systems (mechanical or electronic) document that patrol rounds were completed.

High-risk areas should receive more frequent checks based on crime analysis and post orders.

When approaching a suspicious person, maintain distance, observe hands, and keep an exit route and cover available.

Patrol officers should announce presence and use a flashlight properly-off to the side, not directly in a subject's eyes unless needed.

Post orders define patrol duties, reporting requirements, and escalation procedures; they take precedence over personal preference.

Reports should answer who, what, when, where, why, and how, and be written in chronological order.

Record facts and observable behavior, not conclusions or opinions (write 'staggering, slurred speech' rather than 'drunk').

Note exact times, locations, names, descriptions, and actions taken in every incident report.

Describe persons using head-to-toe method: sex, age, height, weight, hair, clothing, distinguishing marks.

Reports are legal documents and may be used in court; write legibly, objectively, and without speculation.

Observation is affected by stress, lighting, distance, and expectation; note conditions that may affect reliability.

Witness statements should be recorded verbatim when possible and attributed to the speaker.

Complete reports promptly while memory is fresh; do not alter a submitted report-use a supplemental report for corrections.

Life safety, incident stabilization, and property protection are the priority order in an emergency.

Evacuation routes and assembly areas should be known before an emergency; accountability is taken at the assembly point.

For fire: activate alarm, call 911, evacuate, and do not use elevators; only trained personnel use extinguishers on small fires.

PASS technique for extinguishers: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

For medical emergencies: ensure scene safety, call 911, and provide care within training (e.g., CPR, AED, bleeding control).

Active threat response options include Run (evacuate), Hide (barricade), Fight (defend) as a last resort.

Crisis de-escalation uses calm tone, active listening, space, and time; avoid arguing or cornering a person in crisis.

An Emergency Action Plan should include roles, communication methods, evacuation routes, and reunification points.

Communication is roughly 55% body language, 38% tone, and 7% words in face-to-face interactions (Mehrabian).

Active listening includes paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and confirming understanding.

Use plain language, identify yourself, and explain actions briefly to reduce confrontation.

The communication loop: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback; noise can disrupt any stage.

De-escalation phrases avoid commands like 'calm down'; instead acknowledge feelings and offer choices.

Professional demeanor, uniform appearance, and consistent courtesy build public trust and cooperation.

Radio communication uses clear, brief, standard phrasing; identify unit, state location, and request.

Cultural awareness and avoiding assumptions improve interactions with diverse populations.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles: natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance.

Layered defense places barriers, lighting, locks, and alarms in successive rings around the asset.

Lighting standards reduce concealment; parking areas and entry points need adequate illumination.

Fire safety equipment includes extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, and exit signs; exits must remain unobstructed.

Hazard identification includes slip/trip/fall, electrical, chemical, and structural risks; report and document hazards.

Key control involves logging issuance, return, and duplication of keys to prevent unauthorized access.

CCTV placement should cover entries, exits, cash handling, and high-value areas while respecting privacy laws.

Lock types include mortise, cylindrical, rim, and padlock; deadbolts provide greater resistance than spring latches.

The crime triangle: offender, victim/target, and opportunity; removing any element prevents crime.

Routine Activity Theory holds crime occurs when a motivated offender meets a suitable target without a capable guardian.

Shrinkage causes include employee theft, shoplifting, vendor fraud, and administrative error.

Retail loss prevention uses deterrence, surveillance, audits, and inventory controls.

Employee theft is often addressed through segregation of duties, audits, and access restrictions.

Theft prevention techniques include visible presence, locking high-value items, and randomized patrols.

Documenting loss requires accurate inventory records, incident reports, and chain of custody for evidence.

Situational crime prevention reduces opportunity by hardening targets, increasing risk, and reducing reward.

The use-of-force continuum generally progresses from presence, verbal direction, soft empty-hand control, hard empty-hand control, intermediate weapons, to deadly force.

Force must be objectively reasonable given the totality of the circumstances.

Deadly force is justified only to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to self or others.

Duty to intervene and duty to render aid apply when force is used; provide medical assistance after the threat is controlled.

Document all force incidents: time, circumstances, force used, injuries, witnesses, and medical response.

Defensive tactics prioritize distance, cover, and verbal control; handcuffing is for control, not punishment.

Restraint positional asphyxia risk: avoid prone restraint with weight on the back and monitor breathing.

After any use of force, report to supervisor and complete required documentation.

Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population.

Indicators of suspicious activity include unusual surveillance, photography of security features, testing of security, and attempts to acquire unusual materials.

If you observe suspicious activity, do not confront; report to law enforcement and document observations.

The 'See Something, Say Something' campaign encourages reporting suspicious behavior to authorities.

Types of terrorism include domestic, international, religious, political, and single-issue.

Weapons of mass destruction categories: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE).

Terrorist tactics include bombings, hostage-taking, cyber attacks, and vehicle ramming; awareness of attack methods aids prevention.

Critical infrastructure protection focuses on assets whose disruption would cause severe harm to public safety or the economy.