Legal and Ethics in Security Flashcards
6 cards from real Security Services practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Legal and Ethics in Security flashcards as text
What is 'false imprisonment' in security?
Answer: Unlawfully restraining or confining a person against their will
False imprisonment occurs when a person is intentionally and unlawfully detained or confined against their will, exposing security personnel to civil and criminal liability.
What is 'assault' in legal terms relevant to security?
Answer: Intentionally causing another person to apprehend immediate harmful or offensive contact
Legally, assault is creating reasonable apprehension of harmful contact in another person, while battery is the actual physical contact — both create liability for security personnel.
What is the 'shopkeeper's privilege' or 'merchant's privilege'?
Answer: A legal defense allowing security to briefly detain a person if there is reasonable suspicion of shoplifting
The shopkeeper's privilege permits security personnel to briefly detain a person on the premises if they have reasonable grounds to believe the person has stolen merchandise.
What is 'defamation' and how can security personnel face this liability?
Answer: Making false statements of fact about a person that damage their reputation
Defamation (libel in writing, slander in speech) involves making false factual statements that damage someone's reputation, which can occur if security personnel make false accusations.
What is the significance of a security guard's 'scope of authority'?
Answer: It defines the legal limits of what a guard is authorized to do in their role
A security guard's scope of authority defines the legal boundaries of their powers and responsibilities, and acting outside this scope can result in liability.
What does 'informed consent' mean in security contexts?
Answer: Voluntary agreement by a person who has been given sufficient information about what they are agreeing to
Informed consent means that a person has voluntarily agreed to something (like a search) with a full understanding of what they are agreeing to, which can be a defense against certain claims.