Arkansas Private Security Officer Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 20

   When should a security officer consider making a citizen's arrest?

   • AOnly when state law allows it, employer policy permits it, and it is safe and necessary
   • BWhenever someone breaks a site rule
   • CAny time the officer has a feeling someone is guilty
   • DWhenever a customer or the client asks for it and agrees to sign a written statement
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when state law allows it, employer policy permits it, and it is safe and necessary

   Citizen's arrest rules differ by state and carry real legal risk. Many employers tell officers to observe and report and let police make arrests.

2. Question 2 of 20

   What does "civil liability" mean?

   • ABeing legally responsible to pay money for harm you caused someone
   • BLosing your driver's license because of unpaid parking and traffic tickets
   • CBeing sent to prison for a serious crime
   • DHaving to work extra shifts as a punishment
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Being legally responsible to pay money for harm you caused someone

   Civil liability is decided in a lawsuit. A court can order the person who caused harm, and sometimes the employer, to pay damages.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Before helping an injured person, what should you check first?

   • AWhether you can take photos for the report
   • BWhether the person has ID
   • CWhether the client is on site
   • DThat the scene is safe for you
   Show answer

   Answer: D. That the scene is safe for you

   If the scene is dangerous, you could become a second victim. Check for hazards before you approach.

4. Question 4 of 20

   What does federal guidance tell people to do in an active shooter situation?

   • ARun, hide, fight
   • BStop, drop and roll
   • CDuck, cover and hold
   • DStay, call and wait
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Run, hide, fight

   The Department of Homeland Security advises running if there is a safe way out, hiding if not, and fighting only as a last resort.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 20

   A crime has just happened in a store office. Until police arrive, what should the security officer do?

   • APick up important items and keep them safe in your pocket
   • BLet staff walk through to see what happened
   • CKeep people out of the area and avoid touching anything
   • DClean up so the office looks normal
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep people out of the area and avoid touching anything

   Protecting the scene preserves evidence. Officers should note who was there and anything they saw.

7. Question 7 of 20

   During a fire evacuation, what should people NOT use?

   • AEmergency lighting
   • BStairs
   • CMarked exits
   • DElevators
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Elevators

   Elevators can stop working or open onto a fire floor. People should use the stairs.

8. Question 8 of 20

   A shopper is loud and upset at the service desk. What should the security officer try first?

   • AHolding the shopper's arms
   • BCalm, respectful conversation
   • CThreatening to call the police right away
   • DPepper spray
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Calm, respectful conversation

   Talking is the first and safest option. Physical force is a last resort and only when it is lawful and necessary.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    While on duty you learn private information about a client's employees. What should you do with it?

    • APost it on social media as a warning
    • BUse it later to ask employees for favors in return for keeping quiet
    • CKeep it confidential and share it only with people who need to know
    • DTell friends and family about it
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep it confidential and share it only with people who need to know

    Security officers are trusted with sensitive information. Keeping it private is a basic duty.

11. Question 11 of 20

    What is the main job of most private security officers?

    • AObserve, deter and report problems to the right people
    • BInvestigate crimes and arrest suspects in the same way as the police
    • CPunish people who break site rules
    • DEnforce traffic laws on public roads
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Observe, deter and report problems to the right people

    Security officers protect people and property mostly by being visible, watching carefully and reporting what they see. Law enforcement is the job of the police.

12. Question 12 of 20

    A trespasser refuses to leave and becomes angry. What should the officer usually do?

    • AKeep a safe distance and call the police, as the post orders say
    • BBlock the exit so the person has to stay there until the police arrive
    • CLock the person in an office
    • DDrag the person off the property
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep a safe distance and call the police, as the post orders say

    Officers should avoid physical confrontation. Police can deal with a person who will not leave.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    How should a security officer decide whom to watch more closely?

    • ABy their race, ethnic background or accent
    • BBy the language they speak
    • CBy what people do, not by how they look
    • DBy their age or how they dress
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By what people do, not by how they look

    Watching behavior is fair and effective. Profiling people by appearance is unfair and can break anti-discrimination laws.

15. Question 15 of 20

    Why do many sites make visitors sign in and wear visitor passes?

    • ATo slow visitors down
    • BBecause a single federal law requires it at every building with security officers
    • CSo security knows who is on site, why they are there and when they leave
    • DTo collect personal data to sell
    Show answer

    Answer: C. So security knows who is on site, why they are there and when they leave

    Visitor logs and passes help staff spot people who do not belong and help account for everyone in an emergency.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    Police arrive at an active shooter scene. What should you do?

    • AKeep your hands empty and visible and follow their commands
    • BRun toward the officers to hug them
    • CPoint toward the shooter with your radio or phone in your hand
    • DAsk the officers to show their badges
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep your hands empty and visible and follow their commands

    Police may not know who the attacker is. Empty, visible hands and following orders keep you safe.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Which federal agency sets workplace safety rules for most US employers?

    • AFBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
    • BFEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
    • CTSA (Transportation Security Administration)
    • DOSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

    OSHA sets and enforces safety and health standards for most private-sector workplaces.

20. Question 20 of 20

    At shift change you find that a key to a secure area is missing. What should you do?

    • AWait for the monthly key count to see if it turns up
    • BHave a copy made from another key
    • CReport it right away and record it in the log
    • DSay nothing and hope it turns up
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Report it right away and record it in the log

    A missing key can let someone into a secure area. Reporting it quickly allows the client to change locks if needed.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% or above