Alaska Security Guard Knowledge Quiz 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

   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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 20

   You find an unattended, suspicious package. What should you do?

   • AOpen it to see what is inside
   • BPick it up gently and shake it to hear what is inside
   • CCarry it outside to a safer place
   • DDo not touch it, move people away and report it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Do not touch it, move people away and report it

   A suspicious item may be dangerous. Keep people away and let trained responders deal with it.

7. Question 7 of 20

   You feel very tired during a night shift. What is the professional choice?

   • ATurn off your radio so you can rest
   • BLeave early without telling anyone
   • CTake a short nap in your car during a quiet part of the shift
   • DTell your supervisor and use approved ways to stay alert
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Tell your supervisor and use approved ways to stay alert

   An officer who is asleep cannot protect anyone. Sleeping on duty can lead to dismissal and liability.

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

   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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    What is the main purpose of a security patrol?

    • ATo prevent and detect problems such as fires, hazards, theft and intruders
    • BTo find people to arrest
    • CTo check the quality of employees' work and report anyone who does not seem busy
    • DTo keep the officer busy until the shift ends
    Show answer

    Answer: A. To prevent and detect problems such as fires, hazards, theft and intruders

    Patrols let officers spot and report problems early, and a visible officer deters crime.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Why must a security officer never say or suggest that they are a police officer?

    • APolice officers may ask the officer to work for them
    • BClients only allow it during night shifts when the police are busy elsewhere
    • CPretending to be a police officer is a crime and can lead to lawsuits
    • DIt makes incident reports harder to write
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pretending to be a police officer is a crime and can lead to lawsuits

    Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a criminal offense. It also exposes the officer and employer to civil lawsuits.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 20

    What is "deadly force"?

    • ATouching someone's shoulder or arm without their permission
    • BForce likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
    • CAny force used at night
    • DPlacing handcuffs on a person
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Force likely to cause death or serious bodily injury

    State laws allow deadly force only in very narrow situations, such as an immediate threat of death or serious injury.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    Which of these sentences should go in an incident report?

    • AI think the night cleaner probably forgot to lock the loading dock door again.
    • BThis building is always a mess.
    • CThe east loading dock door was propped open with a brick at 2:15 a.m.
    • DProbably nothing important happened.
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The east loading dock door was propped open with a brick at 2:15 a.m.

    Reports should record facts you saw or heard, with times and places, not personal opinions.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

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