As a security officer, what should you prioritize when witnessing potential criminal behavior?

Prioritizing maintaining composure and calling authorities is crucial when witnessing potential criminal behavior. This approach not only ensures that the situation is handled professionally, but it also allows the officer to assess the situation carefully without escalating it further. By maintaining composure, the officer can think clearly and make sound decisions about how to respond.

Calling authorities is essential because they are the trained professionals equipped to handle criminal behavior effectively. Security officers, while trained to observe and report, may not always be equipped to intervene directly in a potentially dangerous situation. Thus, alerting law enforcement ensures that trained responders are on their way, allowing the officer to focus on observing and documenting the incident without putting themselves or others at risk.

In contrast, while personal safety is undoubtedly important, it should not overshadow the necessity of informing authorities. Prompt documentation is vital, but it should follow after ensuring that assistance is on the way. Taking immediate action to stop the crime might put the security officer in danger or complicate the situation further; hence, relying on authorities to intervene is often the most prudent choice.