Professional Conduct and Ethics
Professional Conduct and Ethics
This domain tests integrity, confidentiality, impartiality, appearance, communication, and the duty to report misconduct. The exam asks how a guard should behave when authority, temptation, and loyalty conflict.
Integrity and truthfulness
Reports must be truthful and complete. Never make false statements, falsify time records, steal, accept bribes, or misuse access to information. Off-duty conduct can affect a registration when it shows untrustworthiness.
Confidentiality and privacy
Share client and incident information only on a need-to-know basis. Secure records and avoid discussing incidents in public or on social media. Release information only through approved channels or legal process.
Impartiality and respect
Treat all people consistently regardless of race, sex, religion, disability, or personal dislike. Avoid profiling and harassment. Control your language, avoid arguments, and use de-escalation before force.
Appearance and communication
Keep the uniform clean and the ID visible per policy. Identify yourself clearly. Speak calmly and courteously, give clear directions, and document threats or abusive statements rather than trading insults.
Conflicts and reporting misconduct
Disclose conflicts of interest. Do not investigate yourself or a friend. Report misconduct, including excessive force or falsified reports, through the chain of command or the agency. Cooperate with Board inquiries.
Worked example
A guard finds a wallet containing cash and an ID. The guard documents the find, secures the wallet, attempts to identify the owner through the ID, and turns it in per policy with a chain of custody. Reasoning: the property is not the guard's; documentation and proper transfer protect the owner and the guard.
Traps that cost marks
Accepting gratuities, sharing confidential information, lying to protect a coworker, using the position for personal benefit, retaliating against a complainant, or confusing courtesy with weakness.