SIA CCTV Incident Management

Question 1

What is the correct priority order when a CCTV operator identifies a serious incident in progress on camera?

Accepted Answer

Immediately alert the emergency services (999), then notify on-site security, then continue monitoring and recording

Answer

Record the incident, then inform security staff, then call the emergency services

Answer

Zoom in to obtain the best possible image before taking any other action

Answer

Complete the incident log entry first to ensure accurate records are maintained

Question 2

When providing information to emergency services over the phone during an incident, what is the most effective communication style for a CCTV operator to use?

Accepted Answer

Use clear, concise, factual language - stating what you see, where it is, and how many people are involved

Answer

Provide a detailed narrative covering all background information about the location first

Answer

Use internal CCTV camera reference codes to precisely identify the location

Answer

Wait for the operator to ask specific questions and answer only what is asked

Question 3

During a major incident, a CCTV operator is asked by a senior manager to delete footage of an area that the manager claims is 'not relevant'. What should the operator do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to delete the footage and escalate the instruction to a higher authority or document the instruction formally

Answer

Delete the footage immediately as instructed by a senior manager

Answer

Archive the footage under a different file name to preserve a copy

Answer

Ask a colleague to review the footage first and then decide whether to delete it

Question 4

What information should be captured in an incident log entry for a serious event observed on CCTV?

Accepted Answer

Date, time, location (camera number and site area), nature of incident, description of subjects involved, actions taken, and the operator's identity

Answer

Only the time, camera number, and a one-word description of the incident type

Answer

A written transcription of all radio communications during the incident

Answer

The names and badge numbers of all security staff who responded to the incident

Question 5

A CCTV operator observes a vehicle parked in a fire lane blocking emergency vehicle access. There is no immediate incident. What is the appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Log the observation, notify on-site security or the relevant authority to address the obstruction, and monitor the situation

Answer

Ignore it as there is no active emergency

Answer

Call 999 immediately to report the obstruction

Answer

Zoom in to record the number plate and wait to see if an incident occurs

Question 6

After an incident has concluded, why is it important for the CCTV operator to conduct a post-incident review of the footage?

Accepted Answer

To identify additional suspects, vehicles, or activities not apparent during the live incident, and to confirm the footage has been preserved correctly

Answer

To assess the operator's own performance and identify whether procedures were followed correctly

Answer

To provide entertainment content for security team briefings

Answer

To calculate an estimate of financial losses for insurance claims