Ontario Security Guard Test Report Writing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a security guard's written report?
- To provide a subjective account of events as perceived by the guard
- To create an accurate, factual record of incidents and activities (Correct answer)
- To assign blame for incidents that occurred during the shift
- To summarize the guard's personal opinions about the incident
Correct answer: To create an accurate, factual record of incidents and activities
Reports serve as accurate, factual records of incidents and activities for legal and operational purposes.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of an objective statement in a security report?
- The suspect appeared to be intoxicated and dangerous
- I believe the individual was up to no good
- The male was approximately 6 feet tall and wearing a red jacket (Correct answer)
- The situation seemed threatening to all staff present
Correct answer: The male was approximately 6 feet tall and wearing a red jacket
Objective statements describe observable facts such as height and clothing without interpretation or opinion.
Question 3: When should a security guard write a report after an incident?
- Within 24 hours of the incident occurring
- At the end of the workweek when all incidents are compiled
- As soon as possible while details are still fresh (Correct answer)
- Only after consulting with management or a supervisor
Correct answer: As soon as possible while details are still fresh
Reports should be written as soon as possible to ensure accuracy while details are still fresh in memory.
Question 4: The '5 W's' used in security report writing stand for which of the following?
- Who, What, Where, When, and Why (plus How) (Correct answer)
- Weight, Witness, Weapon, Warning, and Write
- Watch, Work, Warning, Witness, and Where
- Who, Wrong, Where, When, and Witness
Correct answer: Who, What, Where, When, and Why (plus How)
The 5 W's — Who, What, Where, When, and Why (plus How) — are the key elements every security report must address.
Question 5: How should a security guard correct an error in a handwritten report?
- Use white correction fluid to cover the mistake cleanly
- Completely cross out the error so it cannot be read
- Rewrite the entire report from the beginning
- Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction beside it (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and write the correction beside it
Drawing a single line through an error, initialing it, and writing the correction preserves the original entry and maintains report integrity.
Question 6: Which type of report is used to document all routine activities and observations during a security shift?
- Occurrence Report
- Incident Report
- Daily Activity Report (DAR) (Correct answer)
- Supplemental Report
Correct answer: Daily Activity Report (DAR)
A Daily Activity Report (DAR) records all routine shift activities, patrols, and observations throughout the guard's duty period.
Question 7: Which information should always appear at the top of a security occurrence report?
- The guard's personal opinion about who is responsible for the incident
- Date, time, location, and the reporting officer's name and badge number (Correct answer)
- A complete list of all witnesses and their home addresses
- The estimated financial cost of damages caused by the incident
Correct answer: Date, time, location, and the reporting officer's name and badge number
Date, time, location, and officer identification are essential header information required for any security report.
Ontario Security Guard Test Report Writing 1
What is the primary purpose of a security guard's written report?