PSIRA Grade C key terms

The statutory body that registers security service providers and security officers, sets minimum standards, and can suspend or withdraw registration when a person or business fails to comply with the law.

The official document or card issued to a registered security officer, showing identity, registration number and grade. It must be carried while on duty and produced on request by an authorised person.

The level of a security officer's registration, from entry level upward, based on training and experience. Each grade sets out which duties and supervisory responsibilities the officer may legally perform.

The rules of behaviour that registered security officers must follow, covering honesty, lawful conduct, use of force, sobriety, uniform and treatment of the public. Breaching it can lead to disciplinary action or loss of registration.

The legal test of whether someone has the honesty, reliability and character to hold registration, judged by criminal record, previous misconduct and general conduct. Registration can be refused or withdrawn if this test is not met.

Any behaviour by a security officer that breaks the Code of Conduct, an employer's rules or the law, such as assault, theft, sleeping on duty or being drunk. It can lead to internal discipline and to action against registration.

Physical action taken to control a person or situation. The law allows only the minimum force reasonably necessary, and only when other means have failed or are clearly impractical.

The principle that an officer may use no more physical power than is needed to overcome resistance or prevent harm. Once resistance stops, the force must stop immediately.

The lawful right to protect yourself or another person from an unlawful attack, using only force that is reasonable and proportionate to the threat you actually face.

The power of any person, including a security officer, to detain someone reasonably suspected of committing an offence, and to hand that person over to the police as soon as possible.

Holding a person against their will. A security officer may only do this in narrow lawful circumstances, such as a citizen's arrest, and must treat the person humanely and involve the police promptly.

Entering or remaining on property without permission or lawful authority. A security officer may ask a trespasser to leave, and may use reasonable steps to remove them, usually with police assistance.

The duty not to disclose information learned at work, such as client details, security layouts or personal data, except where the law or the job requires it.

The standards of honesty, fairness, respect and integrity expected of a security officer in dealings with the public, clients, colleagues and the police, even when under pressure.

A situation where an officer's personal interests, such as friendship, a bribe or a side business, could improperly influence their duties. It must be avoided or declared to the supervisor.

The system and procedures used to decide who and what may enter or leave a site, and to record and enforce those decisions using passes, registers, gates and technology.

The written or electronic record of every visitor to a site, showing name, identity number, purpose, time in, time out and the person visited. It supports later investigation and accountability.

Checking that a person is who they claim to be, usually by comparing a face with a photo identity document and confirming the document is valid and unaltered.

Accompanying a visitor or contractor while they are on site so that they stay in permitted areas and do not act unsupervised. Escorting may be required by the site's security instructions.

A part of a site where access is limited to authorised people, such as cash rooms, control rooms or server rooms. Signs, locks and checks enforce the restriction.

The outer boundary of a site, such as fences, walls, gates and lighting, that keeps people out and controls entry. Weak points should be reported and checked during patrols.

Looking through a person's belongings, vehicle or body for prohibited items. A search must have a lawful basis, such as a site rule or consent, and must be conducted respectfully and with a witness where possible.

An object that site rules or the law forbid on the premises, such as weapons, illegal drugs or unauthorised recording devices. Finding one must be handled according to instructions and reported.

A planned movement through a site to deter crime, detect problems and confirm that everything is in order. Patrols may be on foot, by vehicle, or by remote monitoring.

The set path and sequence of points an officer must cover during a patrol, often varied to prevent predictability. Deviations and problems found must be recorded.

A fixed point on a patrol route that the officer must visit and confirm, sometimes using a tag, key or electronic device, to prove the patrol actually took place.

The deliberate use of the senses, mainly sight and hearing, to notice and remember details about people, vehicles and surroundings, so that accurate information can be reported.

An organised account of a person or vehicle, covering features such as height, build, clothing, marks, registration number and direction of travel, given in a logical order.

The official bound register in which officers record everything significant during a shift, including patrols, incidents, visitors and handovers. Entries are factual, timed, signed and never erased.

A written account of an unusual event, such as a theft, injury or disturbance, setting out what happened, when, where, who was involved and what action was taken.

A signed written record of what a witness saw, heard or did, in their own words and in time order. It may be used in disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

The site's written procedures for reacting to fires, bomb threats, medical emergencies, intrusions and other crises, including who does what, evacuation routes and contact numbers.

Moving people safely out of a building or area during an emergency, using marked routes and exits, keeping calm and preventing people from re-entering until it is declared safe.

A pre-arranged safe outdoor place where people gather after evacuation so they can be counted and accounted for, away from the building and emergency vehicles.

The agreed way of speaking over a two-way radio, using clear short messages, call signs, phonetic alphabet and standard phrases, and ending each transmission so others can reply.

A short code name used to identify an officer, post or vehicle on the radio instead of a personal name, helping to keep transmissions brief and secure.

A set of standard words used to spell out letters clearly over the radio, such as Alpha for A and Bravo for B, so names and registration numbers are not misheard.

The briefing given to the officer taking over your post, covering incidents, outstanding tasks, keys, equipment and anything needing attention, recorded and signed by both parties.

Treating clients, visitors and the public politely, attentively and helpfully while still enforcing security rules, so that people feel respected and safe.

Behaving in a disciplined, sober, neat and courteous way on duty, following instructions and the Code of Conduct, and never bringing the security profession into disrepute.

Calming and settling a dispute using calm speech, listening, clear explanations and distance, so that a situation is resolved without force or escalation.

Techniques used to reduce tension in an aggressive situation, such as speaking slowly, keeping a safe distance, avoiding confrontation and offering solutions, before any physical response is considered.

Receiving a complaint politely, recording the details accurately, apologising where appropriate, and passing it to the correct person, without arguing or making promises you cannot keep.