OH Security Guard cheat sheet

ORC Chapter 4749 regulates private investigator and security guard providers through the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS); Class A covers investigations, Class B covers security guard services, and Class C covers both.

ORC 2935.04 authorizes a private person to arrest without a warrant when a felony has been committed or there is reasonable ground to believe one has been committed, and to detain the person until a warrant can be obtained.

ORC 2935.041 (merchant's privilege) allows a merchant or the merchant's agent with probable cause to detain a suspected shoplifter in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable time to investigate, recover property, or summon police.

A guard may not arrest or detain someone solely for refusing to answer questions, declining to show identification, or being present in a public area absent independent legal grounds.

Because private guards are generally not state actors, the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule usually does not apply to their searches; tort claims (battery, false imprisonment, intrusion upon seclusion) and PISGS discipline still apply.

PISGS firearm certification is required before a registered guard may carry a firearm on duty, and the certification must remain current; armed status does not expand the legal justification for using deadly force.

Ohio's permitless carry law, effective June 13, 2022, lets qualifying adults 21 and older carry a concealed handgun without a license, but it does not change employer policy or a guard's on-duty authority.

Miranda warnings apply only to custodial interrogation by government agents; private guards are not bound by Miranda, but coerced statements can still be excluded or create civil liability.

Graham v. Connor (1989) requires force to be objectively reasonable under the totality of circumstances, including the severity of the crime, the immediate threat, and whether the subject is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight.

ORC 2901.05 provides that a person in a lawful place has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense, defense of another, or defense of residence, and may use deadly force against imminent death or serious bodily harm.

Deadly force is force the actor knows or should know creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical harm; it is not justified solely to protect property or to stop a fleeing misdemeanant.

The use-of-force continuum typically progresses from presence and verbal direction to soft empty-hand control, hard empty-hand techniques, intermediate weapons (OC, baton, conducted energy weapon), and deadly force.

Impact-weapon target areas are the large muscle groups of the thighs, calves, and buttocks; the head, neck, throat, spine, kidneys, groin, and female breasts are off-limits absent deadly-force justification.

OC spray causes burning, tearing, and involuntary eye closure for roughly 5 to 15 minutes; decontaminate with fresh air and cool water, and never leave a sprayed subject prone and unattended.

After handcuffing, double-lock the cuffs, check for a one-finger gap, place the subject in a seated or upright recovery position, and monitor breathing continuously to prevent positional asphyxia.

A guard has a duty to intervene to stop and report excessive force by another guard when in a position to do so safely; failure can result in criminal liability and civil damages.

A complete incident report records who, what, when, where, why, and how, plus actions taken, witnesses and statements, evidence handled, notifications, injuries, and final disposition.

Narratives are written in first person, past tense, and chronological order using objective language; write 'the subject clenched his fists and stepped forward' rather than 'the subject was aggressive.'

Use black or blue ink, leave no blank lines, correct errors with a single line-through plus initials and date, and never use correction fluid, erasures, or pages torn from a notebook.

Record times from a synchronized clock in 24-hour format, including call receipt, arrival, observation, notification, and departure times.

Field notes and rough notes are discoverable evidence; retain and attach them to the report rather than destroying them after the formal report is written.

Descriptions follow a fixed checklist: sex, race, age, height, weight, build, hair, eyes, complexion, clothing, scars and tattoos, speech, gait, odor, and vehicle year, make, model, color, plate, state, and damage.

Chain of custody documents every transfer of evidence with date, time, from whom, to whom, and purpose; a break in the chain weakens admissibility and credibility.

Patrol deterrence depends on visible, unpredictable presence: vary routes and timing, check doors and lighting, log unusual conditions, and document unsafe conditions with a work order.

Access control rests on least privilege and need-to-know: individuals receive only the access required for their role, and only for as long as required.

The three authentication factors are something you know (PIN or password), something you have (badge, key fob, token), and something you are (fingerprint, iris, face); multifactor combines at least two.

Prevent tailgating and piggybacking with one-scan-per-person rules, turnstiles, mantraps, door alarms, CCTV monitoring, and a staff challenge policy.

Visitor management includes photo ID verification, host notification, badge issuance with expiration, escort rules, sign-in and sign-out, and log retention for audit and investigation.

Key control requires a master-key hierarchy, a signed key issue log, rekeying after loss or termination, and no identifying labels on keys.

The challenge procedure is polite and non-confrontational: greet, verify identity and authorization, direct the person to reception, and notify a supervisor; do not physically detain without legal grounds.

High-value areas such as cash rooms, server rooms, pharmacies, and evidence rooms typically use two-person rules, delayed egress, and separate alarm zones.

Perimeter protection layers from the outside in: site lighting and landscaping (CPTED), fences and bollards, exterior doors and locks, intrusion detection, interior barriers, and access-controlled zones.

RACE: Remove people from danger, Activate the alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish small fires or Evacuate.

PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side; use only on small incipient fires with a clear exit behind you.

During a fire, never use elevators, feel doors with the back of the hand before opening, stay low under smoke, and account for occupants at the assembly point.

Active threat response: Run if a safe escape route exists, Hide if escape is not possible (lock, barricade, silence phones), and Fight as a last resort; call 911 with location, shooter description, and casualties when safe.

Shelter-in-place is used for severe weather, hazardous material release, or external violence; lockdown secures occupants inside and denies entry; evacuation moves occupants outside to an assembly area.

The Incident Command System uses a manageable span of control (typically three to seven direct reports), a clear chain of command, and common terminology across agencies.

Mass notification systems should deliver plain-language alerts through multiple channels (PA, SMS, email, radio) with pre-scripted messages and confirmation of receipt.

Post-incident actions: preserve the scene, identify and separate witnesses, conduct an accountability roll call, document everything, and provide critical-incident support.

Active listening skills include open-ended questions, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, summarizing, silence, and minimal encouragers such as 'go on' or 'I see' to lower emotional arousal.

De-escalation buys time and distance: slow the encounter, lower voice volume and rate, keep hands visible, avoid threatening language, and stay behind cover when possible.

Offer limited, lawful choices ('You can step outside and talk, or I can call a supervisor') to restore a sense of control without compromising security objectives.

Behavioral pre-attack indicators include clenched fists, pacing, target glancing, verbal threats, fixation on a weapon, and sudden calm after agitation.

Never argue about facts or make promises you cannot keep; acknowledge emotion ('I can see you're frustrated') without agreeing to unverified claims.

Use professional, neutral language and avoid slang, sarcasm, and 'you' accusations; 'I' statements and factual descriptions reduce defensiveness.

Provide ADA and language access: offer a qualified interpreter, accommodate disabilities, and document the accommodation provided.

Document de-escalation attempts, the exact words used, time spent, and witness names, because these records demonstrate reasonableness in later review.

An ethical guard follows a code of conduct covering integrity, honesty, confidentiality, impartiality, and lawful use of authority, and avoids gifts or gratuities that could influence decisions.

False imprisonment requires intentional confinement without lawful justification or consent; the person must be aware of the confinement or harmed by it.

Battery is intentional harmful or offensive contact; assault is an intentional act creating reasonable apprehension of imminent battery.

Negligence requires a duty, a breach of that duty, causation, and damages; security negligence often involves inadequate patrol, lighting, or access control.

Respondeat superior holds an employer liable for employee acts within the scope of employment; the employee remains personally liable and may also face PISGS discipline.

42 U.S.C. §1983 requires action under color of state law; private guards can be liable if they act jointly with police, are deputized, or exercise state authority.

Defamation requires a false statement published to a third party that harms reputation; qualified privilege applies to good-faith reports made to those with a need to know.

Confidentiality: discuss client information only on a need-to-know basis, secure records, and follow HIPAA when working in a healthcare setting.

CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) uses natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance to reduce crime opportunity.

CCTV coverage should include entrances, exits, cash handling, loading docks, parking, and high-value storage; camera time must be synchronized to a reliable source for evidentiary use.

Video retention periods are set by policy and law; export and preserve footage immediately after an incident, documenting hash value, export time, and handler chain of custody.

Fail-safe locks unlock on power loss for life-safety egress; fail-secure locks stay locked on power loss to protect assets and must still provide mechanical egress.

Intrusion detection includes perimeter sensors, motion detectors, glass-break detectors, and door contacts; alarm response requires verification, dispatch, and documentation.

Fire alarm systems include smoke and heat detectors, manual pull stations, notification appliances, and monitoring; never silence or disable a fire panel without authorization and documentation.

Access control hardware includes card readers, keypads, biometric readers, electric strikes, and request-to-exit sensors; all must integrate with the fire alarm for emergency release.

Defense in depth layers controls to deter, detect, delay, deny, and respond, using multiple independent safeguards so a single failure does not compromise the asset.

Adult CPR: 30 compressions to 2 breaths, rate 100–120 per minute, depth at least 2 inches (5 cm), full chest recoil, and minimal interruptions; use an AED as soon as available.

AED sequence: power on, attach pads to the bare chest, clear everyone during analysis, deliver a shock if advised, then resume CPR immediately for two minutes.

Severe limb bleeding: apply direct pressure, pack the wound if needed, and apply a tourniquet 2–3 inches above the wound (not over a joint), tightening until bleeding stops and recording the time.

Choking adult: encourage coughing; if ineffective, deliver abdominal thrusts (Heimlich); for an infant, alternate 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts.

Shock signs include pale or cool skin, rapid weak pulse, confusion, and thirst; lay the person flat, keep them warm, and do not give food or drink.

Ohio's Good Samaritan law (ORC 2305.23) grants civil immunity for emergency care rendered without expectation of compensation, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

Bloodborne pathogen precautions: wear gloves and eye protection, avoid sharps, wash hands after contact, and report exposures immediately for post-exposure evaluation.

Workplace safety: OSHA's General Duty Clause requires a workplace free of recognized hazards; report slips, trips, blocked exits, and damaged equipment through the work-order system.