NZ Security Licence Reporting and Documentation

Question 1

Why is accurate documentation of security incidents critical?

Accepted Answer

It creates a legal record that supports investigations, prosecutions, and the security guard's defence if their actions are challenged

Answer

Accurate documentation creates a contemporaneous record of events that can support legal proceedings, protect the security guard from false allegations, and enable management review of incidents.

Question 2

What information should be recorded in a security incident report?

Accepted Answer

Date, time, location, persons involved, a factual description of events, actions taken, and witnesses

Answer

An incident report should capture all material facts: who, what, when, where, and how. Both the incident and the guard's response must be recorded — completeness and factual accuracy are essential.

Question 3

What does 'contemporaneous' mean in the context of incident reporting?

Accepted Answer

Recorded at or shortly after the time of the incident while the details are still fresh

Answer

Contemporaneous records are made at the time or very shortly after an event. They carry greater evidentiary weight than records made later from memory, as they are less subject to distortion or forgetting.

Question 4

What tone should a security incident report use?

Accepted Answer

Factual and objective — avoiding personal opinions, assumptions, or emotional language

Answer

An incident report is a factual document. Opinions, assumptions, and emotional language reduce its credibility and reliability. 'What was seen and done' — not interpretation or personal judgment.

Question 5

What should a security guard do if they realise they made an error in a completed incident report?

Accepted Answer

Add a correction note with the date and initials — never alter or delete the original entry

Answer

Incident reports are legal documents. Errors must be corrected by addition — striking through with initials and date — never by deletion, which could appear as falsification.

NZ Security Licence Practice Test

NZ Security Licence Practice Test

NZ Security Licence Reporting and Documentation