Observation and Suspect Description Course 2026
This course is for security guards who need to notice what is happening and describe people and vehicles clearly to police. It covers situational awareness, using all your senses, head-to-toe descriptions, vehicle descriptions and passing on what you saw.
Quick answer
This free course has about 15 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.
What you will learn
- Use all five senses and a baseline to notice what does not fit
- Describe a person from head to toe in neutral, factual words
- Tell permanent features from ones that are easy to change
- Describe a vehicle, its plate and its direction of travel
- Report observations quickly and write them down as soon as possible
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: A. All five senses
Sounds, smells and even heat can warn you of trouble that you cannot see.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: D. To set a baseline so changes stand out later
The syllabus describes initial checks that set a benchmark. Knowing normal helps you spot what is not.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: C. Knowing what is going on around you and noticing changes
Awareness of your surroundings lets you spot problems early and stay safe.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: C. From head to toe
A head-to-toe order helps you cover everything and makes the description easy to follow.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: A. A tattoo on the person’s neck
Tattoos, scars and height stay the same. Hats, jackets and bags can be dropped or swapped in seconds.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: A. Compare it with your own height or a doorway
Comparing with a known height gives a much better estimate.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: B. Give a range, such as about 25 to 30
A range is honest and still helps police narrow their search.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: C. Colour, length and style, and whether it might be dyed or a wig
Police descriptions include hair colour and style and note possible dye or wigs.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: C. Facial hair, glasses, scars and marks
Specific facial features make a description far more useful than impressions.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: B. Their voice, accent and the way they walk
Police descriptions include voice, speech and gait, such as a limp.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: B. Bags, accessories or a weapon can help identify them and show the risk
Items carried can link the person to the event and warn responders of danger.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: B. Man, about 30 to 35, about 180 cm, slim, short black hair, beard, grey hoodie, black jeans
Neutral, specific facts help police. Labels and opinions do not and can be unfair.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. The licence plate and province
A plate lets police trace the vehicle quickly.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: A. Plate, colour, make and model, and any damage
These details can be seen from outside and help police find the vehicle.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: B. Note that it has no plate and a temporary permit
Police advice is to note missing plates and temporary permits.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: B. So they can search in the right direction
Direction of travel helps responders look in the right place right away.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: C. As soon as possible, with the date and time
Memory fades quickly. Early notes are the most accurate.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. Stay on the phone and keep watching if it is safe
Police advice is to stay on the line and keep watching if you can do so safely.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: B. So they do not mix up what they saw with what others say
Hearing other accounts can change what a person remembers.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: C. They may have a decoy or partner nearby
Police advice is to watch for decoys or accomplices.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: A. Poor lighting and a long distance
Light, distance, time and angle all affect how well you can see.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: C. Bravo Victor Kilo, two four five
The phonetic alphabet and single digits stop letters and numbers being misheard.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: C. A person looking into several parked cars and trying door handles
Report behaviour that points to a problem, not appearance alone.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: C. Minor but critical details
Small details, such as a door that is slightly open, often matter most.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: D. The exact location and time
Police advice is to note the exact location and the time as precisely as you can.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- Ontario’s guard training syllabus includes using all five senses, doing initial checks that set a benchmark, and noticing minor but critical details.
- Police advice is to build a description of a person from head to toe, including build, hair, clothing and distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos or glasses.
- To estimate height, police suggest comparing the person with your own height or a doorway.
- For a vehicle, note the plate, colour, make and model, any damage, and the direction it went.
- Write down what you saw as soon as possible, including the date and time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most useful part of a suspect description?
Features that are hard to change, such as height, build, scars and tattoos, help most. Clothing helps in the first minutes but can be changed quickly.
How do I describe someone respectfully?
Stick to what you can see and hear: height, build, hair, skin tone, clothing and marks. Use neutral words, give ranges for age and height, and do not guess about a person’s background.
What if I only saw a vehicle?
Note the plate and province if you can, then the colour, make, model, type, damage or stickers, how many people were inside and which way it went.
Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?
No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.