Hawaii Security Officer Practice Exam

What should a security officer do if confronted by an armed individual?

1. Engage the individual to de-escalate the situation

2. Prioritize personal safety and avoid confrontation

3. Retreat and leave the area immediately

4. Attempt to negotiate with the individual

The correct answer is: Prioritize personal safety and avoid confrontation

Prioritizing personal safety and avoiding confrontation is the most appropriate response when a security officer is confronted by an armed individual. This choice emphasizes the importance of self-preservation in a potentially life-threatening situation. Engaging with someone who is armed can escalate the danger for the officer and anyone nearby. By avoiding confrontation, the officer maintains their safety and can focus on assessing the situation from a safe distance, potentially waiting for law enforcement to arrive. While there are other approaches that might seem reasonable in different contexts, such as engaging to de-escalate or attempting negotiation, these could place the officer in extreme risk. Retaining a distance allows the officer to observe the situation and gather vital information without adding to the crisis. This strategy aligns with the principles of safety and risk management within the scope of a security officer's responsibilities.