Illinois Security Guard Practice Exam

As a security guard you have been tasked to watch over an industrial accident scene awaiting the government investigator when a member of the media approaches you for a comment. What is the best way to handle this?

1. Say, “no comment” then tell them they are trespassing

2. Ignore them

3. Provide them with the contact information of the person who is authorized to provide information

4. Serve them with trespass notice and remove them off the property

The correct answer is: Provide them with the contact information of the person who is authorized to provide information

Providing the member of the media with the contact information of the person who is authorized to provide information is the most appropriate response in this situation. As a security guard, your primary role is to maintain safety and security while protecting sensitive information. Media inquiries regarding incidents, especially at an industrial accident scene, should be directed to designated spokespersons or authorized individuals. This ensures that the information released is accurate, consistent, and authorized, preventing any potential misinformation or complications. Offering contact details not only fulfills your duty to facilitate communication but also maintains professionalism and respects the media's role in reporting events. This approach helps to keep the scene secure and orderly and allows proper channels to handle media interactions effectively. Other options, such as saying "no comment" and claiming trespass, or ignoring the media entirely, don't provide a constructive resolution. They could lead to confusion or conflict at the scene and fail to fulfill your responsibility to manage information appropriately. Likewise, serving a trespass notice may escalate a situation unnecessarily, especially when there is a standard protocol for handling media requests.