SAIWA Professional Standards and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A security agent observes a colleague accepting a bribe from a patron. What is the most appropriate action?
- Ignore it as it is not their concern
- Report the incident to their supervisor and the licensing authority (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague publicly
- Accept a bribe themselves to maintain fairness
Correct answer: Report the incident to their supervisor and the licensing authority
Corrupt conduct must be reported through proper channels including supervisors and the licensing authority.
Security agents have both a professional and legal obligation to report corrupt or unethical conduct by colleagues, including documenting the incident and reporting to the WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division.
Question 2: Which principle requires a security agent to treat all members of the public equally regardless of their background?
- Duty of care
- Impartiality and non-discrimination (Correct answer)
- Chain of command
- Professional indemnity
Correct answer: Impartiality and non-discrimination
Impartiality and non-discrimination requires treating all people fairly without bias based on protected characteristics.
Under both the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) and professional standards, security agents must not discriminate against any person based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Question 3: What does duty of care mean for a security agent in Western Australia?
- Only protecting assigned property
- A legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to others (Correct answer)
- Following employer instructions without question
- Maintaining personal physical fitness
Correct answer: A legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to others
Duty of care requires taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to people within the agent's area of responsibility.
Duty of care requires agents to identify and address hazards, respond to incidents, provide assistance to injured persons, and maintain a safe environment. Failure can result in civil liability and disciplinary action.
Question 4: A security agent is offered a gift by a regular client after an event. What is the most ethical response?
- Accept it quietly
- Politely decline and explain company policy on gifts (Correct answer)
- Accept it and share with colleagues
- Demand a larger gift for better service
Correct answer: Politely decline and explain company policy on gifts
Professional ethics require declining gifts that could create a conflict of interest or perception of favouritism.
Even well-intentioned gifts can create conflicts of interest. The ethical response is to politely decline and explain that professional standards prevent acceptance.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes confidentiality as a professional standard for security agents?
- Sharing incident details on social media
- Protecting sensitive information obtained during security duties from unauthorised disclosure (Correct answer)
- Only discussing work with family
- Keeping your roster confidential from other guards
Correct answer: Protecting sensitive information obtained during security duties from unauthorised disclosure
Confidentiality requires protecting all sensitive information from unauthorised access or disclosure.
Agents gain access to sensitive information including CCTV footage, incident reports, and personal information that must not be disclosed to unauthorised persons.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a security agent's code of conduct?
- To increase company profits
- To establish minimum standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice (Correct answer)
- To restrict agents from taking breaks
- To ensure agents wear uniforms
Correct answer: To establish minimum standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
A code of conduct sets out minimum standards of behaviour, ethics, and professional practice.
A code of conduct outlines standards covering integrity, impartiality, confidentiality, use of force, respect for human rights, and reporting obligations.
SAIWA Professional Standards and Ethics 2
A security agent observes a colleague accepting a bribe from a patron.
What is the most appropriate action?