TPS General Procedures and Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A fire alarm activates in a building where a security officer is posted. Which action should the officer take FIRST?
- Evacuate all occupants immediately following the emergency action plan (Correct answer)
- Call the fire department before doing anything else
- Investigate the source of the alarm before initiating evacuation
- Silence the alarm to prevent panic
Correct answer: Evacuate all occupants immediately following the emergency action plan
Life safety is the top priority; officers must initiate evacuation per the site emergency action plan immediately when a fire alarm activates.
Question 2: When a security officer uses radio communication, messages should begin with:
- The officer's full name and badge number
- The call sign or unit identifier of the person being called, followed by the caller's identifier (Correct answer)
- The time and date of the transmission
- The word 'Emergency' regardless of urgency
Correct answer: The call sign or unit identifier of the person being called, followed by the caller's identifier
Proper radio protocol starts with the intended recipient's identifier, followed by the caller's identifier, to establish who is communicating.
Question 3: Evidence found at a crime scene should be handled by a security officer by:
- Picking it up and placing it in a safe location
- Photographing and touching it to confirm what it is
- Leaving it undisturbed and protecting the scene until law enforcement arrives (Correct answer)
- Bagging it and handing it directly to the victim
Correct answer: Leaving it undisturbed and protecting the scene until law enforcement arrives
Security officers must preserve the crime scene without disturbing evidence, which should only be collected by law enforcement.
Question 4: A security officer observes a person shoplifting merchandise valued at $75 inside the store they are protecting. Under the Texas 'shopkeeper's privilege,' the officer may:
- Detain the person indefinitely until police arrive
- Detain the person for a reasonable time to investigate the situation (Correct answer)
- Make a formal arrest and transport the person to a police station
- Only verbally warn the person and allow them to leave
Correct answer: Detain the person for a reasonable time to investigate the situation
Texas law allows merchants and their agents to detain a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable period to investigate, but not for an unreasonable or extended time.
Question 5: An officer is approached by someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer in plain clothes who demands access to a restricted area without showing a badge. The security officer should:
- Allow immediate access as a professional courtesy
- Request to see official credentials before granting access (Correct answer)
- Call 911 to verify the person's identity
- Deny access and report the incident to their supervisor
Correct answer: Request to see official credentials before granting access
Security officers must require proper identification credentials from anyone, including those claiming to be law enforcement, before granting access to restricted areas.
Question 6: Which type of patrol method involves an officer remaining at a fixed location to monitor activity?
- Mobile patrol
- Static post (Correct answer)
- Foot patrol
- Vehicle patrol
Correct answer: Static post
A static post requires the officer to remain stationed at a specific location, such as an entrance gate or lobby desk, to monitor and control activity.
Question 7: When a security officer witnesses a medical emergency, their FIRST action after calling for emergency medical services should be:
- Begin first aid within the scope of their training if safe to do so (Correct answer)
- Clear the area of all bystanders and wait for paramedics
- Document the incident in their report before taking any action
- Contact their supervisor before rendering any assistance
Correct answer: Begin first aid within the scope of their training if safe to do so
After activating EMS, officers should provide first aid within their training level to preserve life while awaiting professional medical response.
TPS General Procedures and Practices 3
A fire alarm activates in a building where a security officer is posted.
Which action should the officer take FIRST?