Mississippi Security Guard Board Practice Exam

What should a security guard do if they find an item suspected to be stolen?

1. Keep it for themselves

2. Immediately return it to the owner

3. Secure the item and report it to law enforcement

4. Ignore it, as it is not their responsibility

The correct answer is: Secure the item and report it to law enforcement

When a security guard finds an item suspected to be stolen, the appropriate action is to secure the item and report it to law enforcement. This is important for several reasons. First, by securing the item, the guard ensures that it does not get lost, tampered with, or claimed by someone else falsely. This is crucial not only for preserving the item for its owner but also for maintaining the integrity of any potential investigation. Second, reporting the item to law enforcement is necessary because they have the authority and resources to handle the situation properly. This includes verifying ownership, potentially investigating the circumstances under which the item was found, and determining the appropriate next steps in accordance with the law. Taking any other course of action, such as keeping the item or ignoring it, could lead to legal issues or complicate the investigation process. Therefore, securing the item and notifying the authorities is the most responsible and legally sound course of action.