Legal and Ethics in Security Flashcards

What is the 'duty of care' for security personnel?

Answer: The legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to others

Duty of care is the legal responsibility of security personnel to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm to the people and property they are protecting.

What is 'negligence' in the context of security services?

Answer: The failure to exercise the standard of care expected of a security professional, resulting in harm

Negligence occurs when a security professional fails to meet the expected standard of care and that failure causes harm to another person.

What does 'probable cause' mean?

Answer: Reasonable grounds based on facts and evidence to believe a crime has been or is being committed

Probable cause requires specific, articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has occurred, is occurring, or will occur.

What is the 'Fourth Amendment' protection relevant to security operations?

Answer: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents

The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures; while it applies directly to government agents, private security must be aware when working alongside law enforcement.

What is a 'civil liability' for security personnel?

Answer: Legal responsibility in civil court for damages caused by negligent or wrongful actions

Civil liability exposes security personnel or their employers to lawsuits for damages resulting from negligent, excessive, or wrongful acts during the performance of their duties.

What does a 'use of force' policy govern in security?

Answer: The circumstances and levels of force that security personnel are authorized to use

A use of force policy defines the circumstances under which security personnel may use force and establishes the levels and types of force that are authorized.