Report Writing and Notebooks Course 2026
This course is for security guards who keep a notebook and write incident reports. It covers notebook rules, the 24-hour clock, the 5 Ws, writing facts instead of opinions, taking statements and keeping reports confidential.
Kurz und knapp
Dieser kostenlose Kurs hat Lektionen für etwa 15 Minuten und einen Test mit 25 Fragen. Ab 80 % können Sie eine Teilnahmebescheinigung herunterladen (privat, nicht akkreditiert). Am 11. Oktober 2026 mit offiziellen Quellen abgeglichen.
Das lernen Sie
- Keep a notebook that will stand up to review
- Record times correctly in the 24-hour clock
- Write a clear incident report using who, what, when, where, why and how
- Separate facts from opinions in your writing
- Take a simple witness statement
- Store and share reports only with authorized people
Erreichen Sie mindestens 80 %, um Ihr Zertifikat herunterzuladen.
-
Frage 1 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. Memory fades quickly, so early notes are more accurate
Details such as times, words and descriptions are lost fast. Notes made right away are the most reliable.
-
Frage 2 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. A bound notebook with numbered pages
Bound, numbered pages show that nothing has been removed or added later.
-
Frage 3 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. Draw a single line through it, initial it and write the correct information
A single line keeps the original readable, which shows you are not hiding anything.
-
Frage 4 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. No, never
A missing page makes the whole notebook look unreliable, even if you had an innocent reason.
-
Frage 5 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Draw a line through it so nothing can be added later
Closing off unused space shows that the entry was complete when you wrote it.
-
Frage 6 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. A pen with permanent ink
Permanent ink cannot be changed without leaving a mark.
-
Frage 7 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Write their exact words in quotation marks
Exact words are strong evidence. Your summary or opinion is not.
-
Frage 8 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. 19:20
For times after noon, add 12 to the hour: 7 + 12 = 19.
-
Frage 9 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. 12:45 a.m. (just after midnight)
In the 24-hour clock, the hour after midnight is written 00.
-
Frage 10 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: A. The time the report was completed
The syllabus lists date, time, location, actions or behaviours, description of individuals, observations and time of completion.
-
Frage 11 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Who, what, when, where, why and how
The 5 Ws and how make sure a reader gets the whole picture.
-
Frage 12 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. The man smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet
Describe what you saw, heard and smelled. Let the reader draw conclusions from the facts.
-
Frage 13 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. The cause only if the facts show it, never a guess
Guessing a motive can be unfair and can damage your report. Stick to what the facts show.
-
Frage 14 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: A. A use of force report
The syllabus names incident reports, use of force reports and witness statements.
-
Frage 15 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: C. A person’s own account of what they saw, in their own words
A statement records the witness’s account, not yours. The witness reads and signs it.
-
Frage 16 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: C. Let the witness tell it in their own words, then have them read and sign it
Witnesses who hear each other can mix up what they saw. Keep each account separate and in the person’s own words.
-
Frage 17 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: C. In time order, from first to last
Time order makes the report easy to follow and matches your notebook.
-
Frage 18 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: C. Readers who were not there may not understand them
Police, lawyers and insurers may read your report. Plain words mean the same thing to everyone.
-
Frage 19 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: A. It may be used for audits or as evidence in court
Ontario’s syllabus notes that reports may be needed for audits or as evidence in court.
-
Frage 20 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: C. Through your employer’s approved system, only to authorized people
Ontario’s syllabus warns about problems with emailing confidential reports. Reports often contain personal information.
-
Frage 21 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. Your signature
Signing shows the entry is yours and is finished.
-
Frage 22 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Add it as a late entry with the current time and say it is late
A clearly marked late entry is honest. Squeezing notes between lines looks like tampering.
-
Frage 23 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Read it again and check that it matches your notes
A final check catches errors and keeps your report consistent with your notebook.
-
Frage 24 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: D. About 180 cm tall, thin, short black hair, red jacket, blue jeans, white running shoes
Specific, factual details help others find and identify the person.
-
Frage 25 von 25
Antwort anzeigen
Antwort: B. Someone who was not there and knows nothing about the event
If a stranger can understand the report without asking questions, it is clear enough.
Tastatur: 1–4 zum Antworten, Eingabetaste für die nächste Frage.
Was Sie vor der Prüfung wissen sollten
- Ontario’s guard training syllabus lists the basic report elements as date, time, location, actions or behaviours, description of individuals, observations and time of completion.
- The same syllabus says reports should contain factual information only and include who, what, where, when, why and how.
- Ontario’s syllabus names incident reports, use of force reports and witness statements as types of reports, and notes that reports may be needed for audits or as evidence in court.
- In court, a witness may be allowed by the judge to refresh their memory from notes made close to the time of the event.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Can I use my notebook in court?
Often, yes. A judge may let you refresh your memory from notes you made close to the event. That is why notes must be complete, neat and made as soon as possible.
What if I make a mistake in my notebook?
Draw a single line through it so it can still be read, write your initials, and write the correct information. Never erase, use correction fluid or tear out a page.
Should I put my opinion in an incident report?
No. Write what you saw, heard and did. Instead of “he was drunk”, describe the signs: the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, trouble standing.
What is the difference between a statement and a report?
A report is your own account as the guard. A statement is another person’s account of what they saw, in their own words, which they read and sign.
Ist die Bescheinigung akkreditiert oder offiziell anerkannt?
Nein. Es ist eine private Teilnahmebescheinigung, nur für Ihr Wissen. Sie ist von keiner Behörde, Zulassungsstelle, Aufsichtsbehörde oder Bildungseinrichtung anerkannt, akkreditiert oder genehmigt und ersetzt keine gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Lizenz, Zertifizierung oder Ausbildung.