CSI Security Law & Liability 2

Question 1

Under tort law, which element is NOT required to establish negligence against a security company?

Accepted Answer

Proof of criminal intent by the guard

Answer

Negligence is a civil tort requiring duty, breach, causation, and damages — criminal intent is irrelevant.

Question 2

A security officer working at a shopping mall fails to respond to a report of a wet floor, and a patron slips and is injured. The mall is most likely liable under which legal theory?

Accepted Answer

Premises liability / negligence

Answer

Premises liability holds property owners and their agents responsible for negligently maintaining safe conditions for invitees.

Question 3

The legal doctrine of 'respondeat superior' holds that:

Accepted Answer

An employer is liable for tortious acts of employees committed within the scope of employment

Answer

Respondeat superior ('let the master answer') makes employers vicariously liable for employees' negligent acts performed within the scope of their duties.

Question 4

Which standard of care is a private security officer typically held to when responding to an on-site emergency?

Accepted Answer

The standard of a reasonable security professional with similar training

Answer

Courts apply the 'reasonable person' standard adjusted for the defendant's professional role and level of training.

Question 5

A property owner hires an independent security contractor. The contractor's guard commits an assault while on duty. Under which circumstance could the property owner still be held liable?

Accepted Answer

If the owner retained control over how the guard performed security tasks

Answer

When a principal retains significant control over an independent contractor's work methods, liability may still attach through the 'retained control' exception.

(CSI) Certified Security Investigator Practice Test

(CSI) Certified Security Investigator Practice Test

CSI Security Law & Liability 2