SIA CP UK Legal Framework for CP Operatives

Question 1

Under which Act must all close protection operatives in the UK be licensed?

Accepted Answer

Private Security Industry Act 2001

Answer

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 established the SIA and made it a criminal offence to carry out licensable security activities, including close protection, without a valid SIA licence.

Question 2

What use of force powers does an SIA-licensed CPO have in England and Wales?

Accepted Answer

The same as any other citizen: self-defence and citizen's arrest under common law and statute

Answer

An SIA close protection licence does not grant additional legal powers; CPOs have only citizen's arrest powers under the Criminal Law Act 1967 and self-defence rights available to any person.

Question 3

What is the legal test for self-defence used by a CPO who uses force to protect a principal?

Accepted Answer

The force must be necessary and proportionate to the threat perceived

Answer

Self-defence requires that force was necessary in the circumstances and proportionate to the threat; the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 confirms this as the legal standard.

Question 4

Under the Criminal Law Act 1967, a CPO can arrest someone for which type of offence?

Accepted Answer

An indictable offence that has been committed or is being committed

Answer

Citizen's arrest under Section 24A of PACE 1984 (as amended) and the Criminal Law Act 1967 allows any person to arrest for an indictable offence where it is necessary to do so.

Question 5

A CPO discovers their principal has asked them to conduct illegal surveillance on a third party. What should they do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse and, if appropriate, report the instruction to police or the SIA

Answer

CPOs cannot lawfully conduct illegal surveillance; following an illegal instruction makes the CPO criminally liable, and they should refuse and may have a duty to report to authorities.

SIA Close Protection Practice Test

SIA Close Protection Practice Test

SIA CP UK Legal Framework for CP Operatives