Roles, responsibilities and professional conduct
This section covers the role, responsibilities and professional conduct of a property guard. The exam tests whether you understand your boundaries, how you represent your employer and client, and how you handle ethical pressure.
Role boundaries
- Your core tasks are deterrence, observation, reporting, access control and response within your instructions. You are not a police officer, investigator, judge or punishment service.
- Follow lawful site instructions and escalation paths. Refuse instructions that are unlawful, unsafe or outside your COA and report the refusal to your supervisor.
Professional conduct
- Be honest, courteous, impartial and consistent. Wear the approved uniform, display ID, and do not use your position for personal gain.
- Do not accept gifts, cash or favours that could influence decisions. Avoid conflicts of interest, sleeping on duty, personal phone use that distracts you, and social media posts about sites or incidents.
- Keep client and personal information confidential. Report your own errors and any misconduct you witness.
Worked example: A client asks you to 'rough up' a repeat trespasser. You refuse, record the request and tell your supervisor. Reasoning: force is only lawful when reasonable and proportionate for a lawful purpose; the request is unlawful, breaches professional conduct and creates health and safety risks.
Traps: going beyond scope to look proactive; accepting cash to 'keep quiet'; using authority to intimidate; failing to report a colleague's misconduct; arguing with the public instead of escalating.