PCG Sipahi Test cheat sheet
PCG Sipahi Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Security Fundamentals and Guard Duties
Three pillars of security: deterrence (visible presence, lighting, signage), detection (alarms, CCTV, patrols), response (guard intervention, escalation to police).
The guard's role is preventive and observational: observe, record, report, and deter. Guards do not investigate crimes, interrogate, or punish.
Duty-of-care chain: the guard owes reasonable care to persons on site; negligence requires a duty, a breach, causation, and damage.
Authority to arrest or detain comes from law and site contract, never from the uniform; a guard has no greater police powers than a private citizen.
Defence in depth: perimeter, building envelope, interior zones, and asset level; each layer assumes the previous one has failed.
Crime prevention triangle: a crime needs a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian; the guard is the capable guardian.
Post orders override habit: read the post orders at the start of every shift, and record any conflict between orders and what is actually done.
A guard must refuse unlawful orders (e.g. searching a person without consent or legal basis) and report the refusal in writing.
Incident report standard: who, what, when, where, how, actions taken, witnesses, and evidence preserved; facts only, no opinions or conclusions.
Access Control and Visitor Management
Access control principle: identify, verify, authorize, record. Skip any step and the control is broken.
Three authentication factors: something you know (PIN), something you have (badge/token), something you are (biometrics). Two different factors equal MFA; two passwords do not.
Tailgating (following through a door) and piggybacking (with consent of the badge holder) are the most common physical breaches; one person, one swipe.
Visitor log minimum: full name, ID checked, host name, purpose, time in, time out, badge number issued, and vehicle or equipment details.
Visitor badges must be visually distinct from staff badges, dated, and surrendered on exit; an unreturned badge is an incident.
Escorted vs unescorted access: unescorted access requires pre-approval, a signed non-disclosure or safety briefing, and a named host.
Contractors need a work permit for hot work, confined space, or roof access, plus a check of licenses and insurance before entry.
Key and card control: issue against signature, log serial numbers, retrieve on termination same day, and rekey or deactivate lost credentials immediately.
Anti-passback rules stop a credential being used twice to let a second person in; a violation must be logged, not simply reset.
Patrolling, Surveillance, and Reporting
Patrol types: fixed post, foot patrol, vehicle patrol, and random patrol. Random timing and route variation defeat observation by an intruder.
Clock or checkpoint systems (DALLAS, QR, NFC tags) prove presence; a missed checkpoint must be explained in the log, not backfilled.
Patrol route should cover high-value assets, vulnerable points (doors, windows, roof access), fire equipment, and blind spots of CCTV.
Observation technique: stop, look, listen, smell. Note baseline conditions at the start of shift so changes are detectable.
CCTV is a detection and evidence tool, not a substitute for patrols; the operator must know camera blind spots and privacy limits.
Recording evidence: preserve original footage, note camera ID, time-stamp offset, and chain of custody; do not edit or copy over the original.
Report writing: chronological, factual, objective, complete, and legible. Use exact times, names, and quotes; avoid 'seemed', 'probably', 'I think'.
A daily occurrence log (DOB) is a contemporaneous record; late entries must be marked with the actual time of writing.
Use the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) and 24-hour clock for clarity in radio and written reports.
Emergency Response and Incident Handling
Emergency priority order: life safety, incident stabilization, property protection; never reverse this order.
Fire response: raise the alarm, call the fire service, evacuate via designated routes, account for persons at the assembly point, never re-enter.
PASS for extinguisher use: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side; only use on a small fire with a clear escape route.
Fire classes: A (solids/wood/paper), B (flammable liquids), C (flammable gases), D (metals), F/K (cooking oils), and electrical; water is unsafe on B, F, and live electrical fires.
Bomb threat: stay calm, keep the caller talking, record exact words, background noise, accent, and time; do not use a radio near a suspected device.
Suspicious package indicators: unexpected origin, excessive postage, oily stains, protruding wires, unusual odor, rigid or lopsided shape; isolate and call the authorities.
First aid DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation; call emergency services early and use an AED as soon as it is available.
Incident command basics: one person in charge, clear span of control, and a written log of decisions and times.
Post-incident: secure the scene, preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and complete the report before the end of shift.
Physical Security and Site Protection
Perimeter layers: fence line, gate, lighting, intrusion detection, and response; each layer should delay an intruder long enough for a response.
CPTED principles: natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance; design reduces crime opportunity.
Lighting standard: uniform coverage, no dark pools, and illumination on gates, parking, and entry points; poor lighting is a common liability finding.
Lock types: mortise, cylindrical, rim, and padlock; a lock is only as strong as its door, frame, and strike plate.
Alarm system parts: sensor, control panel, notification, and response; a guard must know the difference between a false alarm and a real activation.
CCTV coverage: entry/exit, cash or asset areas, loading bays, and perimeter; check recording retention and time-stamp accuracy.
Key control register: number, holder, location, date issued, date returned; audit regularly and rekey after loss.
Search rules: only with lawful authority or consent, same-sex search where required, witnessed, and documented; never conduct a strip search.
Site protection during works: hoarding, barriers, signage, and after-hours checks on scaffolding, plant, and fuel storage.
Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
Use of force must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate; minimum force to achieve a lawful objective, and stop when the objective is met.
Self-defence requires an imminent threat, reasonable belief, and proportionate response; it is not retaliation.
Citizen's arrest / detention powers vary by jurisdiction; a guard must know the local rule, the grounds, and the time limit before acting.
Human rights and dignity: no degrading treatment, discrimination, or unnecessary restraint; record all restraint use and inform a supervisor.
Confidentiality: personal data, incident reports, and CCTV footage are disclosed only to authorized persons or under legal process.
Evidence handling: do not move, alter, or contaminate items; log who handled what and when (chain of custody).
Conflict of interest: refuse gifts, favours, or side work that could compromise impartiality; declare any relationship with a person on site.
Use of force report must state the threat, the warning given, the force used, and the injury or damage; failure to report is a disciplinary matter.
Guards must not search, detain, or use force as punishment; such acts expose the guard and the employer to criminal and civil liability.
Communication and Customer Service
Communication model: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback; noise in any element causes misunderstanding.
Radio protocol: listen before transmitting, identify yourself, keep messages brief, use phonetic alphabet and clear text, confirm receipt.
Emergency call content: location, nature of incident, number of people involved, hazards, access route, and callback number.
Active listening: make eye contact, paraphrase, ask open questions, and confirm understanding before acting.
Customer service standard: greet, acknowledge, explain the rule, offer an alternative, and escalate if the person remains dissatisfied.
De-escalation: lower voice, slow speech, maintain distance, use the person's name, offer choices, and avoid arguing or touching.
Handover briefing: pass on incidents, outstanding issues, keys, equipment, and persons of interest; sign the handover log.
Report language: plain, factual, and free of jargon; avoid speculation and label opinions clearly as opinions.
Health, Safety, and Environmental Awareness
Risk assessment: identify hazard, assess likelihood and severity, control the risk, record, and review; controls follow the hierarchy of elimination, substitution, engineering, administration, and PPE.
PPE is the last line of defence; it must be inspected before use and replaced when damaged.
Manual handling: assess the load, keep it close, bend the knees, avoid twisting, and use equipment where available.
Slips, trips, and falls: keep walkways clear, clean spills immediately, use wet-floor signs, and report defective flooring or lighting.
COSHH basics: read the safety data sheet, use ventilation, store chemicals separately, and never mix cleaning products.
Lone working: check-in schedule, communication device, and a written procedure; a missed check-in triggers a welfare response.
Fire safety: know the alarm sound, escape routes, assembly point, and location of extinguishers and call points on every site.
Environmental duty: report spills, prevent drains contamination, segregate waste, and follow the site environmental plan.
Report every near miss and injury, however minor; a near miss is a free warning of a future accident.