Texas Security Guard License Practice Exam

What step should a security guard take before confronting a suspect?

1. Ensure they have backup assistance

2. Assess the situation and ensure their safety

3. Intimidate the suspect to gain compliance

4. Immediately call for law enforcement

The correct answer is: Assess the situation and ensure their safety

Assessing the situation and ensuring safety is a crucial step for a security guard before confronting a suspect. By taking the time to evaluate the environment, the guard can identify any potential threats that may put themselves or others at risk. This includes recognizing the behavior of the suspect, understanding the surroundings, and considering all possible outcomes of the confrontation. A thorough assessment enables the guard to make informed decisions about how to proceed, whether that involves waiting for backup, de-escalating the situation, or calling for law enforcement. Having backup assistance can be important, but the primary focus should initially be on personal safety and the surroundings; backup can be called upon as needed based on the assessment. Intimidating a suspect is not a professional practice and could escalate the situation rather than defuse it. While informing law enforcement may be necessary depending on the situation, it shouldn't be the first step without understanding what is at stake. Ensuring personal and public safety through assessment is fundamental in any security-related role.