SIA Guard Documentation & Professional Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the key qualities of a well-written security incident report?
- Long, detailed, and including personal opinions about those involved
- Factual, objective, contemporaneous, legible, accurate, clear — recording what was observed and done, not opinions or speculation, signed and dated (Correct answer)
- Brief, informal, and written at the end of the week
- Typed only and submitted by email to be valid
Correct answer: Factual, objective, contemporaneous, legible, accurate, clear — recording what was observed and done, not opinions or speculation, signed and dated
A good incident report is: factual (objective observations only), accurate (no errors), contemporaneous (written promptly after the event), clear and legible, and signed and dated. It may be used as evidence in court, so speculation, opinions, and informal language must be avoided.
Question 2: What information should always be included at the start of any security incident report?
- Only the name of the security guard on duty
- Date, time of incident and report, location, the reporting officer's name and SIA licence number, the nature of the incident, and persons involved (Correct answer)
- The name and home address of any person involved in the incident
- Only the information requested by the client's manager
Correct answer: Date, time of incident and report, location, the reporting officer's name and SIA licence number, the nature of the incident, and persons involved
Every incident report should open with the administrative basics: date, time of occurrence and of report writing, exact location, the reporting officer's details (name, SIA licence number), a clear description of the incident type, and identification of those involved — providing a complete context for the record.
Question 3: Why is it important not to use correction fluid (Tipp-Ex) or to cross out entries in a security occurrence book?
- It is a waste of expensive stationery
- Corrections using fluid or heavy crossing-out obscure the original entry, undermining the integrity of the record. Errors should be crossed through with a single line, leaving the original visible, then initialled and corrected alongside (Correct answer)
- It is against SIA licensing rules
- Because it delays report completion
Correct answer: Corrections using fluid or heavy crossing-out obscure the original entry, undermining the integrity of the record. Errors should be crossed through with a single line, leaving the original visible, then initialled and corrected alongside
Security records may be used as evidence. Using correction fluid or obscuring original entries creates doubt about whether the record has been altered. A single line through an error (leaving it readable) with a correction and initials maintains transparency and integrity.
Question 4: What does 'duty of care' mean for a security guard in relation to persons on the premises they are guarding?
- A duty to provide legal advice to visitors
- An obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of lawful visitors and occupants — including responding appropriately to emergencies, maintaining safe conditions, and reporting hazards (Correct answer)
- A duty to perform first aid on any injured person regardless of training
- A legal requirement to follow only written policies and nothing else
Correct answer: An obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and wellbeing of lawful visitors and occupants — including responding appropriately to emergencies, maintaining safe conditions, and reporting hazards
Duty of care requires security guards to take reasonable steps to protect those on the premises they guard — responding to emergencies, reporting hazards, assisting in evacuations, and acting in a way that reduces foreseeable risks to visitors and staff. This duty arises from both common law and the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957.
Question 5: What does the 'SIA Code of Conduct' require of a licensed security guard in terms of professional behaviour?
- To follow only their employer's instructions, regardless of other considerations
- To act with integrity, treat people with respect, not abuse their position, maintain fitness and competence for the role, and uphold the standards of the security profession at all times (Correct answer)
- To work only the hours specified in their licence
- To report to the SIA after every incident
Correct answer: To act with integrity, treat people with respect, not abuse their position, maintain fitness and competence for the role, and uphold the standards of the security profession at all times
The SIA's standards require licensed individuals to act with integrity and professionalism, treat all people with dignity and respect, not misuse their position or authority, maintain their competence, and behave in a way that upholds public confidence in the security industry.
Question 6: A security guard witnesses a colleague accepting a bribe from a contractor. What is the appropriate action?
- Say nothing to avoid conflict with a colleague
- Report the conduct to their line manager, or if the manager is involved, to a senior person or the relevant authority (SIA, police), following the organisation's whistleblowing procedure (Correct answer)
- Accept that such practices are normal in some workplaces
- Only report it if the bribe was above £100 in value
Correct answer: Report the conduct to their line manager, or if the manager is involved, to a senior person or the relevant authority (SIA, police), following the organisation's whistleblowing procedure
Accepting a bribe is a serious criminal offence under the Bribery Act 2010 and a fundamental breach of professional conduct. A security guard who witnesses this must report it through the organisation's reporting channels or whistleblowing procedure. Failing to report may itself raise ethical and legal concerns.
SIA Guard Documentation & Professional Practice 1
What are the key qualities of a well-written security incident report?