OPOTA study guide Exam Questions And Answers Verified
100% Correct
Describe a security officer's authority - ANSWER -generally, a private security officer
has the same authority as that of the person/company that employs the officer
-the officer is acting in the place of his/her employing entity
-the individual's basic right of protecting his/her person or property is transferred to the
person who has been hired to help protect the property
Identity characteristics of an unlawful arrest - ANSWER A civil definition of false arrest/
imprisonment is the unlawful restraint to control by one person of the physical liberty of
another.
- An arrest is unlawful if is made without probable cause or by a person not authorized
to make an arrest.
* False arrest/ imprisonment has occurred if
. the restraint is unlawful
. there is an actual or implied threat of force or display of authority
.the words conduct, or display of authority as such as to cause a fear office and to
overcome the plaintiffs will
Justifications for using force in a private security environment - ANSWER • Harm would
come to the officer or to someone else if force was not used.
• Actions taken were necessary
• Actions taken were reasonable
• Actions taken conformed to employer policy and training
• The officer was prevented from escaping or taking other defensive/control actions and
as a result, had to use force
Considerations for every use of force situation. - ANSWER • Must never be used to
punish someone
• Force techniques must end when a person submits or surrenders
• Care custody and control of the subject
Describe the two types of liability that a private security officer can occur - ANSWER
CIVIL - (Tort action) A legal proceeding by which a person who has allegedly violated
that right
• CRIMINAL - A legal proceeding in which the state takes action to redress an injury to
the public at large
Define the term Negligence - ANSWER failure to take proper care in doing something
,Define the term Vicarious Liability - ANSWER The legal doctrine under which a party
can be held liable for the wrongful actions of another party.
List the general rules for effective testimony - ANSWER * Be early
*Project a positive
*Dress in professional attire
*Sit- stand, and work with good posture
* Project your voice
*Give direct answers to questions from
*Attorneys or the judge
*if permitted to take reports and notes to the witnesses stand, ask for a moment to
review them (ie, do not read directly from export unless hold to do so
*Be honest
State common defense attorney/opposing counsel tactics and the counter tactics for
each - ANSWER Tactic- Asking if the officer has spoken with other parties involved
with the case (e.g., other attorneys, investigators, witnesses)
Used to make officers think that if they have done so, they have done something wrong.
Counter Tactic
- Officers are permitted to talk to these people; Officer, however, can't tell them what to
say
Tactic - Rapid fire questioning
used to confuse the officer and force inconsistent answers
Counter-tactic
- slow the pace by pausing before answering
- Remain calm
- This will prohibit the attorney from building momentum
Ask to have the question repeated if unsure how or what to answer
repeated questioning
used in an attempt to obtain conflicting responses
,Counter-tactic
- tell the truth
- know the facts of the case and the material upon which you will be testifying
Tactic - verbal badgering and staring
used to anger the officer so the officer loses composure
Counter Tactic
- remain calm
- look at the person who is asking the question, then answer the question to the jury or
judge
Tactic - asking two questions at the same time
used in an attempt to confuse the officer
Counter-tactic
- Remain calm
- Ask the attorney which question should be answered first
Tactic - friendly counsel
used in an attempt to place the officer in a false level of comfort
Counter Tactic
-stay alert and listen
- be aware of the purpose of the friendly demeanor may be to lull the officer into a false
sense of security so the officer becomes sloppy with the testimony
Tactic - misquoting the officer's testimony
used to confuse the officer or get different information before the jury
Counter Tactics
, - Listen carefully to the questions asked by the attorney
- If the attorney paraphrases the officer's testimony differently than how it was
presented, correct the error
- If the attorney uses the officer's testimony in a follow-up question incorrectly, make the
correction
Tactic - the "CSI" effect
used in an attempt to show that the officer did not use the most scientifically advanced
techniques in the investigation
Counter Tactic
- remain calm
- look towards the jury and explain that good police work can be achieved with simple
fingerprinting, evidence collection, and interviews; techniques used on TV can be
unrealistic or impractical
State the reasons for establishing effective communication with the media - ANSWER
Media coverage greatly impacts public opinion of the agency and it is a quick way to
reach large audiences to inform the community of a crime or lessen fear about a
situation
listing Guidelines an officer should follow when making interacting with the media in
general. - ANSWER * Be prepared to think on your feet
-Be familiar with your agency's policies and procedures
*Respond within those policies and procedures
*Maintain a professional decorum at all times
*Give consistent information to all media outlets matze certain that all media on the
scene the same message
*Never speak off the record when media arrives at the scene
*Make certain that scene is required
*Establish safe staging area for media
100% Correct
Describe a security officer's authority - ANSWER -generally, a private security officer
has the same authority as that of the person/company that employs the officer
-the officer is acting in the place of his/her employing entity
-the individual's basic right of protecting his/her person or property is transferred to the
person who has been hired to help protect the property
Identity characteristics of an unlawful arrest - ANSWER A civil definition of false arrest/
imprisonment is the unlawful restraint to control by one person of the physical liberty of
another.
- An arrest is unlawful if is made without probable cause or by a person not authorized
to make an arrest.
* False arrest/ imprisonment has occurred if
. the restraint is unlawful
. there is an actual or implied threat of force or display of authority
.the words conduct, or display of authority as such as to cause a fear office and to
overcome the plaintiffs will
Justifications for using force in a private security environment - ANSWER • Harm would
come to the officer or to someone else if force was not used.
• Actions taken were necessary
• Actions taken were reasonable
• Actions taken conformed to employer policy and training
• The officer was prevented from escaping or taking other defensive/control actions and
as a result, had to use force
Considerations for every use of force situation. - ANSWER • Must never be used to
punish someone
• Force techniques must end when a person submits or surrenders
• Care custody and control of the subject
Describe the two types of liability that a private security officer can occur - ANSWER
CIVIL - (Tort action) A legal proceeding by which a person who has allegedly violated
that right
• CRIMINAL - A legal proceeding in which the state takes action to redress an injury to
the public at large
Define the term Negligence - ANSWER failure to take proper care in doing something
,Define the term Vicarious Liability - ANSWER The legal doctrine under which a party
can be held liable for the wrongful actions of another party.
List the general rules for effective testimony - ANSWER * Be early
*Project a positive
*Dress in professional attire
*Sit- stand, and work with good posture
* Project your voice
*Give direct answers to questions from
*Attorneys or the judge
*if permitted to take reports and notes to the witnesses stand, ask for a moment to
review them (ie, do not read directly from export unless hold to do so
*Be honest
State common defense attorney/opposing counsel tactics and the counter tactics for
each - ANSWER Tactic- Asking if the officer has spoken with other parties involved
with the case (e.g., other attorneys, investigators, witnesses)
Used to make officers think that if they have done so, they have done something wrong.
Counter Tactic
- Officers are permitted to talk to these people; Officer, however, can't tell them what to
say
Tactic - Rapid fire questioning
used to confuse the officer and force inconsistent answers
Counter-tactic
- slow the pace by pausing before answering
- Remain calm
- This will prohibit the attorney from building momentum
Ask to have the question repeated if unsure how or what to answer
repeated questioning
used in an attempt to obtain conflicting responses
,Counter-tactic
- tell the truth
- know the facts of the case and the material upon which you will be testifying
Tactic - verbal badgering and staring
used to anger the officer so the officer loses composure
Counter Tactic
- remain calm
- look at the person who is asking the question, then answer the question to the jury or
judge
Tactic - asking two questions at the same time
used in an attempt to confuse the officer
Counter-tactic
- Remain calm
- Ask the attorney which question should be answered first
Tactic - friendly counsel
used in an attempt to place the officer in a false level of comfort
Counter Tactic
-stay alert and listen
- be aware of the purpose of the friendly demeanor may be to lull the officer into a false
sense of security so the officer becomes sloppy with the testimony
Tactic - misquoting the officer's testimony
used to confuse the officer or get different information before the jury
Counter Tactics
, - Listen carefully to the questions asked by the attorney
- If the attorney paraphrases the officer's testimony differently than how it was
presented, correct the error
- If the attorney uses the officer's testimony in a follow-up question incorrectly, make the
correction
Tactic - the "CSI" effect
used in an attempt to show that the officer did not use the most scientifically advanced
techniques in the investigation
Counter Tactic
- remain calm
- look towards the jury and explain that good police work can be achieved with simple
fingerprinting, evidence collection, and interviews; techniques used on TV can be
unrealistic or impractical
State the reasons for establishing effective communication with the media - ANSWER
Media coverage greatly impacts public opinion of the agency and it is a quick way to
reach large audiences to inform the community of a crime or lessen fear about a
situation
listing Guidelines an officer should follow when making interacting with the media in
general. - ANSWER * Be prepared to think on your feet
-Be familiar with your agency's policies and procedures
*Respond within those policies and procedures
*Maintain a professional decorum at all times
*Give consistent information to all media outlets matze certain that all media on the
scene the same message
*Never speak off the record when media arrives at the scene
*Make certain that scene is required
*Establish safe staging area for media
