Idaho Security Guard Licensure Practice Exam

What should a security guard do if they suspect a person may be dangerous?

1. Confront the individual immediately

2. Ignore the situation

3. Monitor the individual while maintaining a safe distance

4. Call for police backup without observing

The correct answer is: Monitor the individual while maintaining a safe distance

When a security guard suspects that a person may be dangerous, the most appropriate action is to monitor the individual while maintaining a safe distance. This approach allows the security guard to assess the situation carefully without escalating it. By observing the person, the guard can gather crucial information about their behavior and any potential threats they may pose. Monitoring from a safe distance ensures the guard's safety and allows for a strategic assessment of how to proceed. This can provide vital information that could be valuable if the situation requires further intervention or if law enforcement is needed later. It also allows the guard to maintain a presence without provoking the individual, which could lead to an unnecessary confrontation. In this scenario, confronting the individual immediately could escalate tensions and potentially lead to dangerous outcomes. Ignoring the situation entirely would compromise safety and could allow a harmful situation to develop unchecked. Calling for police backup without making any observations fails to provide the officers with key details needed for their response, which could lead to inefficiency in dealing with the situation. Thus, maintaining a watchful yet safe approach aligns with best practices in security protocols.