Security Fundamentals and Guard Duties
What the exam tests
This domain checks whether you understand the guard's role as a private security professional: legal limits, post orders, duty of care, and the discipline to observe and report rather than improvise. Questions often describe a scenario and ask what the guard should do first.
Core rules
- Post orders come first. They set site-specific duties, patrol times, keys, escalation contacts, and what you may not do. If an instruction conflicts with law or safety, stop and escalate.
- You are not a police officer. You have no general power to search, detain, or punish. Authority comes from the property owner, the contract, and limited citizen's powers.
- Duty of care. Protect people first, then property. Do not leave a post unattended unless relieved or ordered by a supervisor.
- Observe and record. Note time, place, persons, descriptions, actions, and words. Write facts, not opinions.
- Use of force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and a last resort. Withdraw and report when safe.
- Uniform, ID, and confidentiality protect your credibility. Never discuss incidents with outsiders.
Worked example
At 02:10 you see a person climbing the perimeter fence. The correct sequence is: stay in cover, note the time and description, radio the control room with location and direction of movement, follow post orders, and call police if instructed. Do not challenge alone if weapons are suspected. Write the report immediately, before memory fades.
Traps
Assuming police powers, leaving the post to chase, confronting without backup, and writing 'probably a thief' instead of observed facts.