TPS Ethics & Professional Conduct

Question 1

What does 'professional conduct' require of a Texas security officer while on duty?

Accepted Answer

Acting with integrity, courtesy, and professionalism; following post orders; respecting the rights of all persons

Answer

Professional conduct encompasses integrity, courtesy, compliance with laws and post orders, and respect for the rights and dignity of all persons.

Question 2

A security officer discovers that a colleague is falsifying daily activity reports. What is the ethical obligation of the discovering officer?

Accepted Answer

Report the falsification to a supervisor or, if necessary, to the DPS — allowing falsification to continue is itself unethical

Answer

Falsifying security reports is a serious ethical and legal violation. Officers who discover such conduct have an obligation to report it through proper channels.

Question 3

What does 'conflict of interest' mean for a security officer?

Accepted Answer

A situation where the officer's personal interests conflict with their professional duties — e.g., overlooking a friend's policy violation

Answer

A conflict of interest exists when personal relationships or interests compromise an officer's impartial performance of their duties.

Question 4

What are the limits of a security officer's authority under Texas law?

Accepted Answer

Security officers have limited authority granted by Texas law — they may protect property, detain shoplifters under the merchant privilege, and make citizen's arrests, but have no broader police powers

Answer

Security officers are private citizens with the same limited legal authority as other citizens — plus specific authority granted by statute such as the merchant detention privilege.

Question 5

What is the ethical significance of maintaining confidentiality about client and site information?

Accepted Answer

Sharing confidential security information can compromise the security of the site and violate the client's trust, potentially causing harm

Answer

Security officers learn sensitive information about their clients' vulnerabilities, schedules, and procedures. Unauthorized disclosure can compromise security and violate contractual and ethical obligations.

(TPS) Texas Private Security Certification Practice Test

(TPS) Texas Private Security Certification Practice Test

TPS Ethics & Professional Conduct