Question 1

What are the six essential questions every security report must answer?

Accepted Answer

The '5 W's and H' (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How) ensure a complete and thorough report.

Question 2

Which of the following is an OBJECTIVE statement suitable for a report?

Accepted Answer

Objective statements describe facts and observations (smell, speech patterns). Subjective statements draw conclusions (drunk, crazy) without evidence.

Question 3

Field notes should be taken:

Accepted Answer

Immediate note-taking ensures accuracy before details are forgotten. Field notes are the primary source for the formal report.

Question 4

If you make a mistake in a handwritten report, you should:

Accepted Answer

Reports are legal documents. Alterations must be transparent. Scribbling or using correction fluid suggests tampering.

Question 5

A report is considered a legal document and can be used as evidence in:

Accepted Answer

Security reports are official records used in various legal and administrative proceedings.

Question 6

When describing a suspect, which order is standard?

Accepted Answer

A systematic description (Sex, Race, Age, Height, Weight, Hair, Face, Clothing top-to-bottom) ensures no details are missed.

Question 7

Which sentence uses the 'Active Voice' (preferred for reports)?

Accepted Answer

Active voice ('I locked the door') is clearer, shorter, and directly identifies the actor, avoiding confusion.

Question 8

Why is it important to use 'approximate' times if you aren't sure?

Accepted Answer

Stating 'approx. 2:00 PM' protects credibility if video evidence later shows it was actually 2:03 PM.

Question 9

The 'Why' in a report usually refers to:

Accepted Answer

'Why' explains the motive (e.g., 'Suspect stated he stole the bread because he was hungry') or cause ('The fire started because of oily rags').

Question 10

Your field notebook is:

Accepted Answer

Defense attorneys can subpoena field notes to find inconsistencies with the final report. They must be professional.

Question 11

When quoting a suspect who used profanity, you should:

Accepted Answer

Exact quotes establish the suspect's state of mind and intent. Do not censor facts in a police/security report.

Question 12

A 'narrative' report is written in:

Accepted Answer

Narratives tell the story of the incident from start to finish in the order it happened.

Question 13

If you did not witness an event yourself, but were told about it, you should write:

Accepted Answer

You must distinguish between your own observations and Hearsay (what others told you). Attribute statements to the speaker.

Question 14

Which detail is critical when describing a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

CYMBALS is the acronym: Color, Year, Make, Body, Anything distinct, License, State.

Question 15

A 'Daily Activity Report' (DAR) logs:

Accepted Answer

The DAR proves the guard was present and performing duties. It logs routine checks ('Patrolled North Lot') and incidents.

Question 16

Using police 10-codes in a report is:

Accepted Answer

Reports are read by clients, juries, and insurance adjusters who may not know codes. Plain English is clearer and safer.

Question 17

If you arrest a suspect, the report must include:

Accepted Answer

To justify the arrest, you must articulate the facts that match the legal definition of the crime (e.g., 'I saw him conceal the item').

Question 18

Which word is subjective (opinion)?

Accepted Answer

'Agitated' is an opinion. 'Yelling' and 'Red-faced' are observable facts that *suggest* agitation.

Question 19

When describing a weapon, you should include:

Accepted Answer

Detailed descriptions of weapons are crucial for evidence chain of custody and officer safety.

Question 20

The 'How' in a report explains:

Accepted Answer

How describes the method: 'He used a crowbar to pry the door' or 'He concealed the bottle in his jacket'.

Question 21

Reports should be written in the:

Accepted Answer

First person is standard for modern security/police reports because you are testifying to what *you* saw.

Question 22

A 'Supplemental Report' is used to:

Accepted Answer

Never change a submitted report. Write a supplemental report to add new facts, names, or evidence.

Question 23

Who owns the security reports you write?

Accepted Answer

Reports are the property of the employer or client. You generally cannot take copies home without permission.

Question 24

If a witness refuses to give their name, you should:

Accepted Answer

You cannot force a witness to identify themselves. Documenting their description helps police find them later if needed.

Question 25

Why is legibility (neat handwriting) important in field notes?

Accepted Answer

If you can't read it months later in court, the evidence is lost.

Question 26

An 'Incident Report' is typically required for:

Accepted Answer

Incident reports cover non-routine events that carry liability or require follow-up.

Question 27

When recording time in a report, which format is preferred to avoid confusion?

Accepted Answer

24-hour time (14:00 vs 2:00) eliminates AM/PM confusion, critical in legal timelines.

Question 28

Facts in a report should be:

Accepted Answer

Accuracy is the most important quality of a report. Facts must be true.

Question 29

Which statement is better?

Accepted Answer

Option B is descriptive and objective. 'Slippery' and 'Dangerous' are opinions/conclusions.

Question 30

The 'When' includes:

Accepted Answer

A complete timeline includes start, arrival of help, and conclusion.

Question 31

What is the primary purpose of an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Reports document incidents accurately for legal protection and investigation.

Question 32

What information must be included in a use-of-force incident report?

Accepted Answer

Complete factual information is essential for legal protection and investigation.

Question 33

How should a security guard handle factual errors in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Clear corrections with documentation maintain report integrity.

Question 34

Should a security guard include personal opinions in incident reports?

Accepted Answer

Facts are defensible; opinions are subjective and create liability.

Question 35

What is the difference between 'observation' and 'hearsay' in a report?

Accepted Answer

Direct observation is strong evidence; hearsay is less reliable for legal purposes.

Question 36

How should a security guard quote someone in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Exact quotes with attribution are more credible than paraphrase.

Question 37

When should a security guard file an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Timely reporting captures accurate details and demonstrates diligence.

Question 38

What should a security guard do if they make a major error in a report?

Accepted Answer

Clear documentation of corrections maintains credibility.

Question 39

Should a security guard use abbreviations in incident reports?

Accepted Answer

Clarity is paramount; abbreviations can be misunderstood.

Question 40

What should be included in the 'Action Taken' section of a report?

Accepted Answer

Documentation of actual actions is crucial for investigation and legal protection.

Question 41

How should a security guard describe injuries in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Specific injury documentation is important for liability and medical follow-up.

Question 42

Should a security guard sign and date their incident report?

Accepted Answer

Guard's signature and date authenticate the report and establish responsibility.

Question 43

What should a security guard do if a supervisor asks them to change a report?

Accepted Answer

Reports must be accurate; pressure to falsify creates liability for both.

Question 44

Should incident reports be shared with outside parties without authorization?

Accepted Answer

Reports may contain confidential information; unauthorized disclosure creates liability.

Question 45

What is the value of a well-written incident report for a security guard?

Accepted Answer

Good reports protect the guard legally and demonstrate professional standards.

Question 46

What is the primary purpose of a security incident report?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose is to document facts clearly and accurately to create an official record for investigation, legal proceedings, and historical reference.

Question 47

What should be included in the opening of an incident report?

Accepted Answer

The opening should contain date, time, specific location, reporting officer identification, incident type, and other essential identifying information.

Question 48

How should facts be written in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Facts should be written objectively, describing what the writer actually observed or what was reported, without opinions, assumptions, or emotional language.

Question 49

What is the 'chain of custody' and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Chain of custody documents the handling of evidence from discovery through preservation, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.

Question 50

Should a security guard include their interpretation of events in a report?

Accepted Answer

Facts and interpretations should be clearly separated. It should state what was observed, then state any opinions separately or omit them entirely.

Question 51

What should be done if an error is made in a written incident report?

Accepted Answer

Corrections should be made by crossing out the error with a single line, noting 'correction,' and initialing and dating the change.

Question 52

How should witness information be documented?

Accepted Answer

Witness information should include name, contact information, and a brief statement of what they observed or heard.

Question 53

What tense should incident reports be written in?

Accepted Answer

Incident reports should be written in past tense, as they describe events that have already occurred.

Question 54

Should personal feelings be included in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Personal feelings should not be included. Reports should remain objective and focus on facts observable and relevant to the incident.

Question 55

What information about injuries should be documented?

Accepted Answer

All injuries should be documented with description, location, apparent severity, treatment given, and whether emergency services were called.

Question 56

How detailed should descriptions of persons involved be?

Accepted Answer

Detailed descriptions including appearance, clothing, distinguishing marks, and identification information facilitate investigation and identification.

Question 57

Should a report be submitted immediately after an incident?

Accepted Answer

Reports should be submitted as soon as practical after an incident while details remain fresh and memory is clear.

Question 58

What should be done with original reports after they are filed?

Accepted Answer

Original reports should be retained securely in accordance with legal requirements and company records retention policies.

Question 59

How should photography or video documentation be handled in reports?

Accepted Answer

If photos or video are taken, this should be documented in the report with description of what was captured and chain of custody maintained.

Question 60

What is the importance of legible handwriting or clear typing in reports?

Accepted Answer

Clear, legible writing is essential to ensure the report can be read, understood, and used effectively by all parties who need to review it.

Question 61

What is the primary purpose of a security incident report?

Accepted Answer

Incident reports create official records for investigations, legal proceedings, and follow-up action.

Question 62

What key information must be included in a security incident report?

Accepted Answer

Complete incident reports include all relevant facts for proper documentation.

Question 63

How should a security guard document use of force in a report?

Accepted Answer

Thorough force documentation protects the guard and provides facts for review.

Question 64

What tense should be used in security incident reports?

Accepted Answer

Past tense is appropriate for documented incidents that have already occurred.

Report Writing Practice Questions

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