Virginia DCJS Security Officer Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A security officer witnessing a crime has the responsibility to report the incident primarily to local law enforcement authorities. This is the appropriate action because law enforcement is trained and equipped to handle criminal activities, ensuring that any necessary investigations can proceed effectively. Security officers do not have law enforcement powers and cannot take actions like arrests; therefore, alerting local authorities is crucial for the enforcement of the law and for the safety of the public.

Reporting to the security officer's supervisor, while important for internal procedures, does not address the immediate legal ramifications of witnessing a crime. The supervisor can ultimately coordinate the response, but law enforcement is the entity with the authority to intervene. Contacting the public relations department or the media does not serve to protect public safety or manage law enforcement response to the criminal activity, and could compromise the situation by creating misinformation or unnecessary exposure before the authorities have been able to address the crime.

Thus, reporting to local law enforcement is the most responsible and effective option a security officer has when witnessing a crime.