California Security Officers with Registrations (guard cards)  must receive 40 hours of training as follows:

• 8 hours “Powers to Arrest” prior to an Officer standing post.
• 16 hours of training within 30 days of issuance of registration, 8 of which must consist of two four-hour courses from the mandatory modules and 8 of which must consist of elective courses.
• 16 hours of training within 6 months of issuance of registration, 8 of which must consist of the remaining two four- hour courses from the mandatory modules, and 8 of which must consist of elective courses.

This course module, titled “Preserving the Incident Scene” has been approved by the Bureau of Investigative and Security Services as in compliance with Business and Professions Code Sections 7583.6 and 7583.7 and Title 16, Division 7, Article 9, Section 643 of the California Code of Regulations.

This course corresponds to module III.M of the BSIS Course Outline. This is an elective course under the Course Outline and satisfies the requirement for 4 hours of training under the elective section of the Security Officer Training Laws and Regulations.

III.M Preserving the Incident Scene – 4 hours

• The officer must first know what his company policy is regarding involvement and intervention at crime scenes. Includes what local law enforcement and/or client would require of officer prior to arrival of authorities.
• The officer will have a working knowledge of what constitutes evidence and the rules that govern its admissibility.
• The officer shall understand the type of evidence that can be seized and used in court.
• The officer will have a working knowledge of the Exclusionary Rule as cited in Weeks v. United States (232, US 383 –1984).
• The officer shall have an understanding of the Exclusionary Rule as it pertains to security personnel (act- ing as private citizens).

A. Identifying Evidence & Witnesses

1. Report to proper emergency personnel and proceed to the scene
2. Render assistance to the injured as training and orders require
3. Locate and identify witnesses
   1. After determining injured, attempt to identify anyone who may have knowledge of what has occurred.
   2. Ask witnesses to remain in the area until you or the authorities have had a chance to speak with them. Always identify witnesses as soon as possible.
   3. If required, interview complainant and witnesses (generally in non-criminal matters only):
      1. Date & Time of Incident
      2. Date & Time of Report
      3. Name of the person (witness)
      4. Address
      5. Phone number
      6. Social Security Number

B. Care & Handling of Evidence

1. Cordon off area ASAP with 3” wide black and yellow tape.
2. Do not touch any possible evidence with exposed hands or fingers.
3. If needed for security reasons, place possible evidence into clear plastic bags if available. (Generally only in non-criminal matters. Leave criminal evidence to law enforcement and their crime scene investigators.)

C. Securing the Immediate Area

1. Immediately secure the area and stop access
2. Attempt to reconstruct events
3. Take notes of how the scene was found upon arrival
4. Note the following:
   1. Date
   2. Time
   3. Location
   4. Weather Conditions
   5. Complainant
   6. Physical Description
   7. Clothing
   8. Odor or smells
   9. Statements made by victim, witnesses or suspect
5. Take Photographs (Generally in non-criminal matters only)

D. Legal Issues to Evidence Tampering and/or Removal

1. Protect all evidence and maintain integrity of crime scene.
2. Concern for whether or not the weather or other outside elements will have an effect
3. Use plastic bags if possible:
   1. Sealed with name (affix signature on top)
   2. Note date and time
   3. Note name of person recovering the material
   4. Maintain proper storage and safekeeping
4. Chain of Evidence
5. Yield evidence and scene to professional investigators
6. Define Exclusionary Rule