Mississippi Security Guard Board Practice Exam

What is the preferred action for a security guard when witnessing a crime in progress?

1. Approach the criminal directly

2. Call law enforcement immediately

3. Take a video for evidence

4. Inform their supervisor later

The correct answer is: Call law enforcement immediately

When a security guard witnesses a crime in progress, the preferred action is to call law enforcement immediately. This approach prioritizes safety—both for the guard and others who may be affected by the criminal activity. By alerting law enforcement right away, the guard ensures that trained professionals are responding to the situation quickly, which can help prevent further harm and resolve the situation effectively. While options like approaching the criminal, taking a video, or informing a supervisor later could seem relevant, they carry risks and delays that could compromise safety or the integrity of the situation. Attempting to confront a criminal directly could escalate the situation, possibly causing harm to the guard or bystanders. Documenting the crime for evidence is useful, but it should not take precedence over notifying law enforcement, as immediate intervention is often crucial. Similarly, informing a supervisor later doesn't address the urgent need for action, as it delays the response when time is of the essence. Thus, calling law enforcement immediately is the most responsible and effective choice a security guard can make when faced with a crime in progress.