NZ Security Licence Crowd Control and Event Security — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NZ PSPPI Act 2010, what is the definition of a 'crowd controller' (bouncer)?
- A person who monitors or controls the behaviour of people at licensed premises, entertainment events, or other venues (Correct answer)
- Any person who stands at the door of a bar
- A police officer assigned to crowd management
- A volunteer who helps at community events
Correct answer: A person who monitors or controls the behaviour of people at licensed premises, entertainment events, or other venues
Under the PSPPI Act 2010, a crowd controller is defined as a person whose duties include monitoring or controlling the behaviour of persons at or near licensed premises, entertainment events, or other places of public gathering. They must hold a COA.
Question 2: In NZ, what factors should a crowd controller consider when assessing a patron's level of intoxication?
- Speech patterns, coordination, behaviour, eye focus, body odour of alcohol, and overall demeanour (Correct answer)
- Only whether the person can walk in a straight line
- Only the number of drinks the person has consumed
- Intoxication assessment is not part of a crowd controller's role
Correct answer: Speech patterns, coordination, behaviour, eye focus, body odour of alcohol, and overall demeanour
NZ crowd controllers should assess multiple indicators: slurred speech, unsteady balance, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, glazed or unfocused eyes, smell of alcohol, repetitive or confused conversation, and overall demeanour. No single sign is definitive.
Question 3: What is the NZ crowd controller's role regarding the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012?
- Support the duty manager in preventing intoxicated persons from entering or remaining on premises and ensuring minors do not access alcohol (Correct answer)
- Serve alcohol to patrons at the bar
- Take over the duty manager's responsibilities when they are on break
- The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act does not apply to crowd controllers
Correct answer: Support the duty manager in preventing intoxicated persons from entering or remaining on premises and ensuring minors do not access alcohol
NZ crowd controllers support the duty manager by preventing obviously intoxicated persons from entering, assisting in managing intoxicated patrons inside, and helping ensure minors do not access restricted or supervised areas of licensed premises.
Question 4: In NZ event security, what is the purpose of a security operations plan?
- A comprehensive plan covering risk assessment, staffing, communication, access control, emergency procedures, and incident management for the event (Correct answer)
- A simple list of security guard names and shift times
- A marketing document for the security company
- An optional document only needed for events over 10,000 people
Correct answer: A comprehensive plan covering risk assessment, staffing, communication, access control, emergency procedures, and incident management for the event
A security operations plan is a comprehensive document covering: risk assessment, security staffing levels and deployment, communication systems, access control procedures, emergency response plans, incident management protocols, and coordination with police and emergency services.
Question 5: Under NZ law, what is the crowd controller's responsibility regarding underage patrons at licensed premises?
- Check identification of anyone who appears to be under 25, using only approved forms of ID, and deny entry to restricted areas for anyone under 18 (Correct answer)
- Allow entry to anyone who claims to be over 18 without checking ID
- Only check ID if specifically asked to by the duty manager
- Underage access is solely the duty manager's responsibility
Correct answer: Check identification of anyone who appears to be under 25, using only approved forms of ID, and deny entry to restricted areas for anyone under 18
NZ crowd controllers should check ID of anyone who appears to be under 25 (the 'Challenge 25' approach), accept only approved forms of ID (NZ driver licence, passport, Kiwi Access Card, or overseas passport), and deny entry to restricted areas for anyone under 18.
Question 6: What is the recommended crowd-to-security ratio for a NZ event with alcohol service?
- Typically 1 security guard per 100 patrons, but this varies based on risk assessment, venue type, event type, and alcohol availability (Correct answer)
- 1 security guard per 500 patrons is always sufficient
- No specific ratio exists — one guard per event is enough
- 10 guards per 100 patrons for maximum safety
Correct answer: Typically 1 security guard per 100 patrons, but this varies based on risk assessment, venue type, event type, and alcohol availability
While 1:100 is a common baseline ratio in NZ, the actual requirement depends on the risk assessment considering factors such as event type, alcohol availability, demographics, venue layout, history of incidents, and time of day.
NZ Security Licence Crowd Control and Event Security
Under the NZ PSPPI Act 2010, what is the definition of a 'crowd controller' (bouncer)?