Arizona Security Guard Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 20

   In most states, a private security officer's power to arrest is:

   • AGreater than a police officer's while on private property
   • BThe same as any private citizen's, as set by state law
   • CUnlimited while the officer is in uniform
   • DThe same as a police officer's
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The same as any private citizen's, as set by state law

   Unless a state law gives special powers, a security officer has only the arrest powers that any private person has. These rules differ from state to state.

2. Question 2 of 20

   A visitor asks how to find an office in the building. What should you do?

   • AAsk the visitor to leave the building
   • BIgnore the visitor, because giving directions is not security work
   • CHelp politely and clearly, or find someone who can
   • DTell the visitor to find it alone
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Help politely and clearly, or find someone who can

   Officers are often the first person a visitor meets. Helpful, polite service is part of the job.

3. Question 3 of 20

   In "run, hide, fight," when is fighting appropriate?

   • AWhen you want to protect the building and its valuable property
   • BBefore trying anything else
   • CEvery time you see the attacker
   • DOnly as a last resort, when your life is in immediate danger
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Only as a last resort, when your life is in immediate danger

   Escaping or hiding comes first. Fighting is for when there is no other choice and your life is at risk.

4. Question 4 of 20

   A person is on private property, is told by the owner's agent to leave, and refuses. What is the person usually doing?

   • AUsing a legal right to stay
   • BCommitting robbery
   • CTrespassing
   • DCommitting burglary
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Trespassing

   In most states, staying on private property after the owner or the owner's agent says to leave is trespass.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Which example best describes negligence?

   • AHitting a person on purpose during an argument
   • BNot checking a fire exit you were told to check, and someone is hurt because it was blocked
   • CRefusing to work an extra shift when a coworker calls in sick
   • DAsking a visitor to sign in at the front desk
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Not checking a fire exit you were told to check, and someone is hurt because it was blocked

   Negligence means failing to use the care a reasonable person would use, and that failure causes harm.

6. Question 6 of 20

   A security officer harms someone while doing their job. Who else may be held responsible?

   • AThe local police department
   • BOnly the person who was harmed
   • CThe officer's employer, and sometimes the client
   • DNo one, because the officer was doing their job at the time
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The officer's employer, and sometimes the client

   Employers can be held responsible for what employees do within the scope of their job. This is called vicarious liability.

7. Question 7 of 20

   You find a person who has collapsed and is not breathing. What should you do?

   • AWait to see if the person wakes up
   • BMove the person to a car to drive them to the hospital
   • CCall 911 or have someone call, send for an AED and start CPR if you are trained
   • DGive the person sips of water and wait a few minutes to see if they recover
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Call 911 or have someone call, send for an AED and start CPR if you are trained

   Fast action matters in cardiac arrest. Calling 911, CPR and an AED give the person the best chance.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Why should security officers change the times and routes of their patrols?

   • ASo no one can predict when the officer will come by
   • BBecause the same route is boring
   • CTo shorten the patrol
   • DSo the officer can skip checking some doors and windows
   Show answer

   Answer: A. So no one can predict when the officer will come by

   A predictable patrol is easy for a criminal to plan around. Varying the pattern makes patrols a stronger deterrent.

9. Question 9 of 20

   When using a fire extinguisher, where should you aim it?

   • AAt the base of the fire
   • BInto the smoke
   • CAt the ceiling above the fire
   • DAt the top of the flames
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At the base of the fire

   Aiming at the base puts the extinguishing agent on the fuel that is burning.

10. Question 10 of 20

    What does "active listening" mean?

    • AInterrupting to correct the person's facts
    • BAgreeing with everything the person says so that they calm down faster
    • CPaying full attention, letting the person speak and repeating back what you heard
    • DWaiting quietly for your turn to argue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Paying full attention, letting the person speak and repeating back what you heard

    People calm down when they feel heard. Repeating back what they said shows you understand.

11. Question 11 of 20

    A person walks through a secure door right behind an employee without using their own card. What is this called?

    • ASkimming
    • BTailgating
    • CShoplifting
    • DLoitering
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tailgating

    Tailgating (also called piggybacking) lets unauthorized people slip into secure areas. Officers should watch for it and challenge it politely.

12. Question 12 of 20

    What are "post orders"?

    • AWritten instructions that describe an officer's duties at a specific site
    • BOrders given by police officers to security staff at a crime scene they control
    • CA list of people who are banned from all stores
    • DLetters that arrive in the mail for the client
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Written instructions that describe an officer's duties at a specific site

    Post orders tell officers what to do at their post, such as patrol times, access rules and emergency contacts.

13. Question 13 of 20

    You see a spill on the floor of a busy hallway. What should you do?

    • ATell a few people nearby to be careful and do nothing else
    • BWait until someone slips, then report it
    • CWalk around it and continue your patrol
    • DGuard or mark the area, report it for cleanup and note it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Guard or mark the area, report it for cleanup and note it

    Slips are a common cause of injury. Officers should make hazards safe and report them right away.

14. Question 14 of 20

    In most situations, when may a private security officer look inside a person's bag?

    • AAny time a person refuses to answer the officer's questions politely
    • BWhen the person agrees or it is a posted condition of entry
    • CWhenever the officer has a feeling about them
    • DOnly after the officer takes off the uniform
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When the person agrees or it is a posted condition of entry

    Private officers do not have police search powers. Searches usually depend on consent and the site's posted rules.

15. Question 15 of 20

    On patrol you find a door open that should be locked, with no sign of a break-in. What should you do?

    • ACheck the area if it is safe, secure the door and report it
    • BLeave it open and mention it to the next officer at shift change
    • CIgnore it because nothing seems wrong
    • DLeave it open in case someone needs it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Check the area if it is safe, secure the door and report it

    An unlocked door is a security risk. Securing it and reporting it lets the client fix the cause.

16. Question 16 of 20

    What is a security officer's role during a building evacuation?

    • AGo back inside to collect belongings
    • BGuide people to exits and the assembly point and help account for everyone
    • CUse the elevators to move people faster
    • DLock the exit doors behind people so no one can go back inside the building
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Guide people to exits and the assembly point and help account for everyone

    Officers help people leave calmly by the nearest safe exit and report anyone missing to emergency responders.

17. Question 17 of 20

    What three things does a fire need to burn?

    • AHeat, fuel and oxygen
    • BGas, smoke and oxygen
    • CWater, wood and wind
    • DSmoke, flames and heat
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Heat, fuel and oxygen

    This is the fire triangle. Remove any one of the three and the fire goes out.

18. Question 18 of 20

    What is good practice when using a two-way radio?

    • AHold long personal conversations
    • BShout into the microphone
    • CUse code words you made up so others cannot understand you
    • DThink before you speak and keep messages short and clear
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Think before you speak and keep messages short and clear

    Others may need the channel for an emergency. Clear, brief messages are easier to understand.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Why must security reports be accurate and complete?

    • APolice, insurers, lawyers and courts may rely on them
    • BThey are only read by the officer who wrote them, as a memory aid
    • CThey are used mainly for advertising
    • DThey are thrown away after each shift
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Police, insurers, lawyers and courts may rely on them

    A report may become a legal record. Mistakes or missing details can hurt an investigation and the officer's credibility.

20. Question 20 of 20

    A store manager offers you free merchandise if you "look the other way" now and then. What should you do?

    • AAsk for cash instead
    • BRefuse and report it to your supervisor
    • CAccept it but keep doing your job properly
    • DAccept it if the items are small
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Refuse and report it to your supervisor

    Accepting gifts in return for ignoring problems is unethical and may be a crime. Officers must stay honest and neutral.

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