SAIWA - Security Agents Institute of Western Australia Licensing and Responsibilities Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A licensed security officer at a shopping centre observes an individual conceal several items and walk past the final point of sale without attempting to pay. Under the Criminal Investigation Act 2006, what is the most appropriate and lawful action for the security officer to take?
- Immediately search the individual's bag to confirm the presence of the stolen items.
- Follow the individual outside and demand they return to the store for questioning.
- Physically block the individual's path and wait for a store manager to arrive.
- Perform a citizen's arrest as they reasonably suspect an arrestable offence has been committed. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Perform a citizen's arrest as they reasonably suspect an arrestable offence has been committed.
In Western Australia, a security officer has the same arrest powers as a private citizen. Under Section 25 of the Criminal Investigation Act 2006, a person may perform a 'citizen's arrest' if they reasonably suspect someone is committing an arrestable offence (an offence punishable by imprisonment, such as theft). The officer must then deliver the person to the police as soon as practicable. Searching without consent is unlawful, and simply demanding or blocking is not the full extent of their lawful power in this clear-cut scenario.
Question 2: According to the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997, which of the following is a specific record-keeping responsibility for a licensed Security Agent?
- Maintaining a log of all verbal warnings given to the public.
- Keeping a daily record of the personal vehicle details of each employed officer.
- Ensuring records of current first aid qualifications for each security officer are maintained. (Correct answer)
- Submitting weekly performance reviews of each officer to WA Police.
Correct answer: Ensuring records of current first aid qualifications for each security officer are maintained.
The Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997 explicitly state that a Security Agent's general records must include records of the first aid qualifications of each security officer and security bodyguard who performs licensed activities for the business. The other options are not specific requirements under this regulation.
Question 3: A patron is denied entry to a licensed venue by a crowd controller. The patron becomes verbally abusive but does not make any physical threats. Which principle of the WA Security Industry Code of Conduct is most critical for the crowd controller to uphold in this situation?
- Disseminating information to improve the profession.
- Acting with integrity and professionalism when dealing with the general public. (Correct answer)
- Refraining from knowingly associating with those who use illegal methods.
- Maintaining truth and good taste in advertising.
Correct answer: Acting with integrity and professionalism when dealing with the general public.
The WA Security Industry Code of Conduct requires licensees to act with integrity in their dealings with the general public at all times. Responding to verbal abuse professionally, without escalating the situation, is a core demonstration of this principle. The other options are also part of the code but are not the most relevant to this specific scenario of interacting with a difficult member of the public.
Question 4: An applicant for a security license in Western Australia has a prior conviction for a serious assault from four years ago. This offence is listed in Schedule 2 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997. What is the likely outcome of their application?
- The application will be approved with a probationary period.
- The application will be automatically approved as the conviction is over two years old.
- The applicant will be required to pay a higher licensing fee.
- The application will be refused as it is a disqualifying offence within the disqualifying period. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The application will be refused as it is a disqualifying offence within the disqualifying period.
The Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997 prescribe certain offences as 'disqualifying offences'. Committing an offence listed in Schedule 2 within a specified period before the application will result in refusal. A serious assault conviction from only four years prior would fall within this disqualifying period, making the applicant ineligible for a license.
Question 5: A security agent's licence is required for an individual to operate a business that supplies security officers. For a new business, what is the standard initial duration of this licence before it requires renewal?
- Five years
- Three years
- One year (Correct answer)
- Six months
Correct answer: One year
While established security businesses may have a three-year renewal term for their agent's licence, the initial licence for an individual starting a new security business is typically granted for a period of one year. This allows for a review of the new business's operations and compliance before a longer-term licence is considered.
Question 6: A security officer is asked by a client to investigate a rival company by covertly recording their private meetings, which would be a breach of the Surveillance Devices Act 1998. According to the WA Security Industry Code of Conduct, what is the officer's primary responsibility?
- Carry out the client's instructions to ensure contract renewal.
- Advise the client that the request is illegal and refuse to comply. (Correct answer)
- Negotiate a higher fee to compensate for the increased risk.
- Delegate the task to an unlicensed subcontractor.
Correct answer: Advise the client that the request is illegal and refuse to comply.
The Code of Conduct mandates that all licensees must comply with applicable Federal and Western Australian legislation. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 governs how surveillance can be legally conducted. An officer's primary duty is to the law and the code of conduct, not to a client's unlawful request. Therefore, they must identify the illegality of the request and refuse to act on it.
SAIWA - Security Agents Institute of Western Australia Licensing and Responsibilities Questions and Answers 1
A licensed security officer at a shopping centre observes an individual conceal several items and walk past the final point of sale without attempting to pay.
Under the Criminal Investigation Act 2006, what is the most appropriate and lawful action for the security officer to take?