Ethics & Professional Conduct Flashcards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

When a security officer is asked to perform a task that they believe is unethical or illegal, what should they do?

Answer: Refuse to perform the task, document the request, and report it to their supervisor or the DPS if necessary

Officers have both an ethical and legal obligation to refuse unlawful or unethical orders. Documenting and reporting such requests protects both the officer and the public.