Security Roles
What the domain tests
This domain tests whether you can describe the guard's role as a private safety and loss-prevention function, not a police officer. You must know the chain of command, post orders, duty of care, and the boundary between observing and enforcing.
Core rules
- Read and follow post orders; if an order is unclear or unlawful, ask the supervisor and record the query.
- Protect life first, property second. A guard deters, observes, reports, and assists lawful authorities.
- Guards generally have no special police powers. Detention must rest on a lawful citizen's-arrest situation, reasonable grounds, and immediate handover to police; force must be proportionate and only for defence or lawful arrest.
- Never abandon a post without relief or supervisor approval. Record the handover time, keys, equipment and pending incidents.
- Maintain confidentiality and refer media, legal and police enquiries to management.
- Know your site: entrances, alarms, fire exits, assembly point, supervisor contact and emergency numbers.
Worked example
A guard sees a man conceal a phone in a shop and walk toward the door. Reasoning: the offence is in view but the priority is safety. The guard notes description and direction, alerts the supervisor and prevents a confrontation, then gives a factual statement. If a lawful arrest is made, police are called at once and the person is handed over; the guard does not search, interrogate or parade the suspect.
Traps
Trying to act as police, leaving the post to chase, searching bags without authority, accepting cash to settle an incident, or writing opinions instead of observations.