Ethics in Security Services
Course
Security Services
Unit I
Ethics
Rationale
Similar to Law Enforcement professionals, individuals employed in the field
of Security Services must maintain a high standard of professionalism and
integrity. Within this unit students will learn how ethics plays a key role in
the daily tasks that security professionals face.
Essential
Question
How does the
practice of ethical
behavior affect
the field of
security?
Objectives
The students will be able to:
1. Define terms associated with the lesson.
2. Discuss legal issues relevant to security services.
3. Analyze connections between security and constitutional law.
4. Discuss the possible ramifications of unethical behavior on the part of
security professionals.
TEKS
§130.298(c)
(3)(B)(C)(D)
(G)(H)
Engage
Have each student write a list of the five people he or she admires most.
Then make a list of the character traits and abilities that each one admires.
Have the students examine the lists. Afterward, have each student select
the top two people from his or her list and write short answers to the
following questions: Do these two people share matching qualities? If so,
why? If not, why not? Use the Writing Rubric for assessment.
Prior Student
Learning
Identify core
values in the
workplace
Estimated Time
3 to 5 hours
Key Points
I. Key Terms
A. Ethics: a philosophy that examines the principles of right and wrong,
good and bad
B. Morality: the practice of moral principles on a regular basis
C. Moral development: the theory that we develop morally just as we
develop physically
D. Ethical egoism: the view that human conduct should be based
exclusively on self-interest
E. Values: beliefs that guide a person’s or organization’s behavior
F. Departmental values: the values that are expressed though the
actions of the department
G. Professional: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally
business-like manner in the workplace
H. Misfeasance: the performance of a duty or act that one is obligated
or permitted to do in a manner that is improper, sloppy, or negligent
(examples: sloppy report writing, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle,
aggressively “reprimanding” a citizen, improper searching of
arrestees)
I. Nonfeasance: the failure to perform an act that one is obligated to do
either by law or directive due to omission or failure to recognize the
obligation (example: failure to file a report)
II. Ethical/Philosophical Theorists
A. John Stuart Mill
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1. The business of ethics is to tell us what our duties are
2. No system of ethics requires that the sole motive of all that we
do should be a feeling of duty
3. Ethics is not intended to instruct people on how to act
4. The good that is happiness is not merely the sum total of
pleasures because there are important qualitative, as well as
quantitative, differences among pleasures
B. Jeremy Bentham - Classical Utilitarian
1. Pleasure is the only thing of intrinsic value to people and is thus
worthy of pursuit
2. Two important questions
a) Good or bad consequences for whom
b) How we calculate the value of the consequences relies on
the fundamental principles to define what is permissible and
what is prohibited
3. The essence of morality is the strict respect for certain duties,
and such respect supersedes any other goal
4. Duty is distinct from pleasure, moral virtue is the supreme good,
and moral worth is not measured by the consequences of a
person’s actions
C. Immanuel Kant – German Philosopher
1. Relies on fundamental principles to define what is permissible
and what is prohibited.
2. The essence of morality is strict respect for certain duties, and
such respect supersedes any other goal
3. Duty is distinct from pleasure, moral virtue is the supreme good,
and moral worth is measured neither by the consequences of a
person’s actions
D. Lawrence Kohlberg
1. We develop morally just as we develop physically
2. We are not born with the ability to understand and apply moral
standards to our actions; we develop it in the same way we learn
to ride a bicycle or play baseball
III. Six Stages of Moral Development
A. Level One: Pre-conventional Stages
1. Stage One: Punishment and Obedience Orientation
a) Assumption (typically by children) that powerful authorities
hand down a fixed set of rules which one must
unquestioningly obey
b) Morality is viewed as something external to oneself
2. Stage Two: Instrument and Relativity Orientation
a) Each person is free to pursue his or her individual interests
b) Punishment is simply a risk that one naturally wants to avoid
B. Level Two: Conventional Stages
1. Stage Three: Interpersonal Concordance Orientation
a) Good behavior means having good motives and
interpersonal feelings such as love, empathy, trust, and
concern for others
b) Living up to expectations
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C. Level Three: Post-conventional Stages
1. Stage Four: Law and Order Orientation
a) Concerned with society as a whole
b) Emphasis on obeying laws, respecting authority, and
performing one’s duties so that the social order is maintained
2. Stage Five: Social Contract Orientation
a) Belief that a good society is best conceived of as a social
contract into which people freely enter in order to work
toward the benefit of all
b) Introduction of basic rights and democracy to a society
3. Stage Six: Universal Ethical Principles Orientation
a) Principles utilized to achieve justice
b) Principles of justice are universal
c) Principles of justice also require civil disobedience
IV. Roles and Responsibilities of Security Professionals
A. Protection
1. Protect the people and property under watch
2. A security guard who works at a private residence protects the
grounds and the occupants against possible intruders with
preventative patrols
B. Prevention
1. Security guards attempt to prevent incidents before they occur
2. Guards patrol the grounds of a property and observe anything
that looks out of the ordinary
3. In a mall setting, the guard will patrol the parking lot and look for
suspicious characters who may be attempting to break into
vehicles or cause harm to a shopper returning to his or her car
4. Their presence inside the mall may discourage potential
shoplifters
C. Observing and Reporting
1. Security guards do not have the same authority as law
enforcement officers and may not be armed depending on their
work location
2. If an incident occurs they should observe the activity and report it
to the proper authorities
3. They should never leave their watch area to intervene in an
incident that occurs off of the property grounds
D. Inspecting – checking or testing an individual against established
standards
1. Sporting event
2. Rock concert
3. Airports
E. Administrative
1. Security guards may need to keep records of who enters and
exits a facility and provide them with visitor badges
2. In some cases, they may be required to take an inventory of the
products that are brought into the facility
3. They may also need to take an inventory of merchandise at the
beginning and the end of their shift to ensure that nothing has
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been stolen
V. Code of Ethics (adapted from the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics)
A. To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role
1. Protecting life and property
2. Preventing and reducing crimes against my employer's business,
or other organizations and institutions to which I am assigned
3. Upholding the law
4. Respecting the constitutional rights of all persons
B. To conduct myself with honesty and integrity and to adhere to the
highest moral principles in the performance of my security duties
C. To be faithful, diligent, and dependable in discharging my duties and
to uphold at all times the laws, policies, and procedures that protect
the rights of others
D. To observe the precepts of truth, accuracy, and prudence without
allowing personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to
influence my judgment
E. To report to my superiors, without hesitation, any violations of the law
or of my employer's or client's regulations
F. To respect and protect the confidential and privileged information of
my employer or client beyond the term of my employment, except
where their interests are contrary to the law or to this Code of Ethics
G. To cooperate with all recognized and responsible law enforcement
and government agencies in matters within my jurisdiction
H. To accept no compensation, commission, gratuity, or other
advantage without the knowledge and consent of my employer
I. To conduct myself professionally at all times and to perform my
duties in a manner that reflects credit upon myself, my employer, and
private security
J. To strive to continually improve my performance by seeking training
and educational opportunities that will better prepare me for my
private security duties
VI. Private Security vs. Law Enforcement
A. Private security is responsible for protecting private property or
individuals
B. Law Enforcement is responsible for protecting the public
C. Each has a valuable role in the criminal justice system, but both
serve a different function
Activities
Security Scenarios – Divide the class into groups, give each group a copy
of the Security Scenarios handout, and assign each group a scenario. Have
the students decide as a group how they would resolve the situation. A
captain may be designated for each group to present the collaborative
resolution. Use the Presentation Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Ethics in Security Services Exam and Key
Discussion Rubric
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Individual Work Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Research Rubric
Writing Rubric
Materials
Ethics in Security Services computer-based presentation
Ethics in Security Services Key Terms handout
Security Scenarios handout
Whiteboard/chalkboard
Resources
Texas Commission on Private Security http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb
Code of Ethics, Task Force on Private Security: National Advisory
Committee on Criminal Justice and Standards and Goals, 1976
Introduction to Private Security: Theory Meets Practice, Cliff Roberson &
Michael L. Birzer
Introduction to Security (6th Edition), Robert J. Fischer & Gion Green
Investigator/Officer’s Personal Experience
Do an Internet search for the following: northwest enforcement armed
officer’s training manual
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the students will list the key terms and give a workplace
example for each. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, the students will research specific cases where security
professionals have violated the code of ethics, regulations, and/or career
specific policies. Have the students write a 1-2 page paper with their
findings. Use the Research Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.298. Security Services (One to Two Credits).
(3) The student analyzes the impact of ethical and legal
responsibilities relevant to security services. The student is
expected to:
(B)
analyze the impact of legal issues relevant to security
services;
(C)
describe the importance of good public relations
techniques as they relate to security and crisis
situations;
(D)
analyze the connections between constitutional law
and private security operations by referencing relevant
constitutional amendments;
(G)
compare alternative responses in simulated security
scenarios that require application of ethical and legal
behavior;
(H)
discuss the possible ramifications of unethical behavior
on the part of security professionals;
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College and Career Readiness Standards
English/Language Arts Standards
III. Speaking
B. Develop effective speaking styles for both group and one-on-one
situations.
1. Participate actively and effectively in one-on-one oral
communication situations.
2. Participate actively and effectively in group discussions.
3. Plan and deliver focused and coherent presentations that convey
clear and distinct perspectives and demonstrate solid reasoning.
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Ethics in Security Services Key Terms
1. Ethics: a philosophy that examines the principles of right and wrong, good and bad
2. Morality: the practice of moral principles on a regular basis
3. Moral development: the theory that we develop morally just as we develop physically
4. Ethical egoism: the view that human conduct should be based exclusively on self-interest
5. Values: beliefs that guide a person or organization’s behavior
6. Departmental values: the values that are expressed though the actions of the department
7. Professional: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally business-like manner
in the workplace
8. Misfeasance: the performance of a duty or act that one is obligated or permitted to do in a
manner that is improper, sloppy, or negligent (examples: sloppy report writing, unsafe
operation of a motor vehicle, aggressively “reprimanding” a citizen, improper searching of
arrestees)
9. Nonfeasance: failure to perform an act that one is obligated to do either by law or
directive due to omission or failure to recognize the obligation (example: failure to file a
report)
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Security Officer Scenarios
Scenario 1
You are a uniformed security officer patrolling a full parking lot during the holiday season. You
observe a customer loading Christmas gifts into a station wagon parked in the lot. The customer
then goes back into the shopping center to do more shopping. You notice that the windows of
the wagon are open, and three boys are gathered around the station wagon looking in. What
should you do?
Scenario 2
You are an armed and uniformed security officer patrolling a private, residential area at night.
Dispatch notifies you that there is a silent intrusion alarm at a home nearby. The dispatcher says
that the resident of the home is on vacation and is not expected to return for at least another
week. You respond and leave your patrol car to investigate the outside of the residence. You
notice that no lights are on in the house. As you walk around the house checking the doors and
windows, you come to the back door, which you find to be unlocked, but not forced. You can
see no activity within the house, but you decide to go inside to see if the house has been
burglarized. Using your flashlight you go from room to room. As you move down the hallway
towards the sleeping quarters, a man steps into the hall from one of the bedrooms. He is holding
something in his hand, which may or may not be a gun. What should you do?
Scenario 3
You are a uniformed security officer on your way home from work. It is 1:00 am, you are still in
uniform and you decide to stop at the all-night market for a deli sandwich. As you park your car
in the parking lot and are making your way inside the store, you notice a crumpled backpack on
the ground. You pick up the backpack with the idea to take it inside the market and give it to an
employee of the market in case someone may return for it. As you pick up the backpack several
of its contents fall out: three small plastic bags of a white substance and a roll of one-hundred
dollar bills. You turn around to see if anyone has noticed you. No one is around. What should
you do?
Scenario 4
You are a uniformed security officer patrolling a large abandoned and vacant shopping center.
There are a variety of “No Trespassing” and “No skateboarding” signs around the property.
During your shift two youths arrive on the property and begin skateboarding in front of the empty
storefronts and the parking lot. You approach the youths and politely inform them of the signs on
the property stating, “No skateboarding,” and you advise them that they need to leave the
property. You observe the youths walking off of the property. Approximately 45 minutes later,
you continue your patrol of the property and walk towards the rear loading dock. You see the
same two skateboarders and three additional youths with skateboards. You tell them to leave
the property. The youths refuse to the leave the property and begin questioning you and attempt
to belittle you. What should you do?
Scenario 5
You are an armed security officer patrolling a warehouse on the nightshift by yourself. The
warehouse is located in a secluded industrial area. Most of the equipment stored at this facility
is electronics, including televisions, game systems, and radios. It is 4:00 am when you hear
noises in an area of the warehouse and you move to investigate. You approach cautiously and
observe two men stacking cartons near the door. The door appears to have been forced open.
Both men hear you approach and turn towards you. Their hands are empty and they do not
move towards you. What should you do?
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Scenario 6
You are an armed security officer assigned to guard the main gate at a company. Your job is to
identify people and vehicles going in and out of the gate. Your orders include denying access to
unauthorized persons. A car has pulled up to the gate, and the driver is a former employee of
the company that was recently fired. You had been previously informed not to allow the
individual access to the company grounds. You refuse this person entry and do not open the
gate. You order the driver to leave. The car begins to back away, but before the driver leaves
the location he yells out loud, “I’m going to burn this company to the ground!” What should you
do?
Scenario 7
You are a plain clothes security officer in a department store. You have followed a suspicious
woman in the store for about ten minutes. During that time you have observed her placing
several items of merchandise in her large purse. She passes the cashier without paying and
quickly walks towards the parking lot. Just outside the store you identify yourself and ask her to
accompany you back to the store. She refuses and continues to walk away. You identify
yourself again, and indicate that you are placing her under citizen’s arrest for shoplifting and that
she must await the arrival of the police. She ignores you, and you place your hand around her
arm to detain her. At this point the shoplifting suspect attacks you with her hands, striking and
scratching you. The suspect turns and runs away. You order her to stop but she continues to
flee. What should you do?
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Name:_________________________
Date:__________________________
Ethics in Security Services Exam
Answer the following multiple choice questions.
1._____ A philosophy that examines the principles of right and wrong, good and bad.
a. Values
b. Nonfeasance
c. Ethics
d. Misfeasance
e. Moral development
2._____ The performance of a duty or act that one is obligated or permitted to do in a manner
that is improper, sloppy, or negligent.
a. Values
b. Nonfeasance
c. Ethics
d. Misfeasance
e. Moral development
3._____ The theory that we develop morally in the same way that we do physically.
a. Values
b. Nonfeasance
c. Ethics
d. Misfeasance
e. Moral development
4._____ The failure to perform an act that one is obligated to do either by law or directive due to
omission or failure to recognize the obligation (example: failure to file a report).
a. Values
b. Nonfeasance
c. Ethics
d. Misfeasance
e. Moral development
5._____ Beliefs that guide a person’s or organization’s behavior.
a. Values
b. Nonfeasance
c. Ethics
d. Misfeasance
e. Moral development
6._____ The classical utilitarian is considered to be.
a. Jeremy Bentham
b. Lawrence Kohlberg
c. John Stuart Mill
d. Immanuel Kant
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7._____ One popular approach to solving ethical problems was developed by an 18th-century
German philosopher. His approach relies on fundamental principles to define what is
permissible and what is prohibited. Who is he?
a. Jeremy Bentham.
b. Lawrence Kohlberg.
c. John Stuart Mill
d. Immanuel Kant
8._____ According to _______________, we develop morally just as we develop physically.
a. Jeremy Bentham.
b. Lawrence Kohlberg.
c. John Stuart Mill
d. Immanuel Kant
9._____ According to _______________, the good that is happiness is not merely the sum total
of pleasures because there are important qualitative, as well as quantitative,
differences among pleasures.
a. Jeremy Bentham.
b. Lawrence Kohlberg.
c. John Stuart Mill
d. Immanuel Kant
10.____ There are ____ stages of moral development.
a. Four
b. Five
c. Six
d. Seven
11.____ The roles and responsibilities of security professionals include
a. Protection
b. Prevention
c. Observing & Reporting
d. Inspecting
e. All of the above
12.____ Private security officers hold arrest powers.
a. True
b. False
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13.____ Morality is a philosophy that examines the principles of right and wrong, good and bad.
a. True
b. False
14.____ Ethics is the practice of moral principles on a regular basis.
a. True
b. False
15.____ Values are beliefs that guide a person’s or an organization’s behavior.
a. True
b. False
16.____ Ethics has been defined as standards of fair and honest conduct.
a. True
b. False
17.____ Ethics is not concerned with values clarification.
a. True
b. False
18.____ The classical utilitarian was John Locke.
a. True
b. False
19.____ Kohlberg’s Pre-conventional Stages are characterized by unquestioning obedience
and the gratification of one’s own needs.
a. True
b. False
20.____ According to Kohlberg, the majority of American people advance to Stage Five.
a. True
b. False
21.____ Our values are primarily acquired during our early formative years.
a. True
b. False
22.____ Conflict among values is inevitable.
a. True
b. False
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Ethics in Security Services Exam Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
C
D
E
B
A
A
D
B
C
C
E
B
B
B
A
A
A
B
A
B
A
A
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions:
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given in order and to the
level of quality indicated.
Time management:
Student used his or her time wisely and remained
on task 100% of the time.
Organization:
Notes and materials were kept in a neat, legible
and organized manner. Information was readily
retrieved.
Evidence of learning:
Student documented information in his or her
own words and could accurately answer
questions related to the information retrieved.
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant):
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information.
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal:
Identified and communicated a question or goal
of the research.
Research/Gathering information (if relevant):
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes as they
gathered information.
Conclusion/Summary:
Draws insightful conclusions and observations
from information gathered. Information is
organized in a logical manner.
Communication:
Communicates the information gathered and
summary/conclusions persuasively.
Demonstrates skill in use of media used to
communicate the results of research.
Reflection:
Reflects on the importance of the research and
potential application.
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Writing Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
The writing has all required parts from
introduction to conclusion in smooth
transition.
The writing is interesting, supportive,
and complete.
The writing demonstrates that the
writer comprehends the writing
process.
Accurate spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
The content of paragraphs
emphasizes appropriate points.
The writer shows an understanding of
sentence structure, paragraphing, and
punctuation.
All sources and references are clearly
and accurately documented.
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
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