Study guide
Report Writing (Shift, Incident & Traffic Collision)
Alberta Basic Security Training ABST
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1 Introduction & Exam Overview
About the ABST Exam The SSIA and Alberta Security Licensing Study Plan & Exam Strategy
2 Module 1: Introduction to the Security Industry
1.1 Roles & Responsibilities of a Security Professional 1.2 Protection of Persons, Property & Information 1.3 SSIA Key Provisions & Licensing Requirements 1.4 Professional Conduct, Appearance & Deportment 1.5 Public Complaints & Disciplinary Process 1.6 The Security Industry in Alberta
3 Module 2A: Canadian Legal System Foundations
2A.1 Canadian Legal System Overview 2A.2 Charter of Rights & Freedoms (Legal Rights) 2A.3 Criminal Code Basics for Security 2A.4 Summary, Indictable & Hybrid Offences 2A.5 Search & Seizure Provisions
4 Module 2B: Powers & Authority
Citizen's Power of Arrest (s. 494) Use of Force (ss. 25, 26, 27) Trespass & Property Offences Theft, Loss Prevention & Shoplifting Powers Other Relevant Legislation
5 Module 3A: Patrol & Observation
Observation Skills Foot & Vehicle Patrol Procedures Access Control Surveillance, CCTV & Alarm Monitoring
6 Module 3B: Site Operations
Crowd Control Dealing with Substance Abusers & Drug Paraphernalia Interacting with the Media Traffic Control Procedures & Signals Post Orders, Shift Management & Working with a Partner Use of Force Response & Excited Delirium
7 Module 4: Communication
Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication Active Listening Skills The LEAPS Communication Method Communication Challenges & Bias Awareness Handling Hostile, Violent & Intoxicated Persons Conducting Interviews & Statement Taking
8 Module 5A: Documentation
Notebook Maintenance & Legal Implications 24-Hour Clock & Phonetic Alphabet Report Writing (Shift, Incident & Traffic Collision) Mandatory Reports to the Registrar
9 Module 5B: Evidence & Court
Types of Evidence Crime Scene Preservation Preparing for & Testifying in Court
10 Module 6A: Alarm Systems
Alarm Systems & Components Types of Alarm Sensors Responding to Alarms & Off-Site Response
11 Module 6B: Fire, Bomb & Evacuation
Fire Emergency Management Fire Extinguisher Types & PASS Method Bomb Threat Procedures & Checklist Evacuation Procedures
12 Module 7: Health & Safety
Personal Safety Practices Risk Assessment (Low, Medium, High) Identifying Workplace Hazards Emergency Response Safety Shift Work Effects on Health & Wellbeing Managing Shift Work Challenges
Report Writing (Shift, Incident & Traffic Collision)
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Security guards write three main report types: the shift (daily) report, the incident report, and the traffic collision report
All reports must be factual, objective, concise, and timely, recording what the guard observed — not opinions or legal conclusions
Incident reports answer the 5 W's plus How: who, what, when, where, why, and how, sticking strictly to observed facts
Traffic collision reports capture vehicles, drivers, damage, witnesses, and a diagram of the scene
A report is a legal document and may be used in court, so conclusions of law and personal opinions must be excluded
Last updated: August 2026
Three Core Report Types
Security documentation extends beyond the notebook. A guard produces three main kinds of formal report, each serving a different purpose:
Shift report (daily report) — A routine summary of everything notable that happened during a shift. It gives the client and the next shift a picture of the day: patrols completed, alarms, visitors, equipment issues, and any minor events.
Incident report — A detailed account of a specific event that was out of the ordinary: an intrusion, an assault, a theft, a fire alarm activation, a removal of a trespasser. This is the report most likely to end up in court, so it must be precise.
Traffic collision report — A specialized report completed when a vehicle collision occurs on or near the site the guard is responsible for. It captures vehicles, drivers, damage, witnesses, and a scene diagram.
The Principles That Apply to Every Report
Regardless of type, every report a security guard writes must follow the same standards:
Factual — Record what you saw, heard, and did , not what you assume happened. "I observed a male in a red jacket running north from the loading dock" is factual. "The suspect was fleeing the scene" adds an assumption.
Objective — Report without bias or emotion. Do not favour one party over another, even if the client's interests are involved.
Concise — Say what happened in clear, plain language. Avoid jargon, padding, and repetition.
Timely — Complete the report as soon as practicable after the event, while details are fresh. Delays invite challenges about accuracy.
No opinions or legal conclusions — Do not write "the suspect committed burglary" or "the driver was drunk." Those are legal conclusions for the court. Write what you observed: "I observed the male place the television in the trunk of the vehicle and drive away," or "I smelled alcohol on the driver's breath and observed him to sway when standing."
The 5 W's (Plus How)
Every incident report answers six questions:
Question What it captures Example
Who Persons involved — names, descriptions, roles "John Smith, site foreman, and an unidentified male, approximately 6 ft, red jacket"
- What The event itself, in factual terms "An unidentified male removed a copper spool from the storage yard"
- When Date and time, 24-hour clock "4AUG2026, 0215"
- Where Location, as specific as possible "North yard, near gate 3, behind the fuel shed"
Why Known reason or motive, if any — but only if stated or observed "No reason was stated by the male; he fled on foot when challenged"
How The sequence of events and method "The male climbed the north fence, crossed to the spool rack, loaded the spool onto a hand cart, and exited through gate 3"
Note on Why : a guard rarely knows the true motive. If the person stated a reason, quote it. If not, write "no reason stated." Never invent a motive.
Incident Report Structure
A typical incident report follows this structure:
Header — Date, time, location, guard name and licence number, report reference number.
Summary — One or two sentences stating what happened.
Narrative — A chronological account, in factual terms, answering the 5 W's + How.
Persons involved — Names, descriptions, contact information for each person.
Witnesses — Names and contact information, with a one-line summary of each witness's account.
Action taken — What the guard did in response (called police, detained person, rendered first aid).
Signature — The guard's signature and the time the report was completed.
Traffic Collision Reports
When a vehicle collision occurs on a site a guard is responsible for, the traffic collision report captures information that insurance companies, police, and courts will rely on. The report includes:
Vehicles — Make, model, colour, year, and licence plate of each vehicle.
Drivers — Name, licence number, and contact information for each driver.
Passengers and injuries — Names of passengers and a factual description of any injuries observed.
Damage — A factual description of damage to each vehicle and any property.
Witnesses — Names and contact information.
Weather and road conditions — Factual observations (wet road, clear sky, darkness).
Diagram — A simple sketch of the scene showing the approach, point of impact, and final positions of the vehicles.
Example Collision Scene Diagram
The diagram below shows the standard elements: the intersection, vehicle approach paths, the point of impact, and the final resting positions.
Loading diagram... Traffic Collision Scene Diagram (Example)
A Note on Objectivity
The single most common failing in security reports is the inclusion of opinion presented as fact . Phrases to avoid:
"The suspect was drunk" → instead: "I smelled alcohol on the driver's breath and observed the driver to slur speech and sway while standing."
"The suspect was a thief" → instead: "I observed the male place the merchandise inside his jacket and walk past the checkout without paying."
"The injury was minor" → instead: "I observed a cut approximately 2 cm long on the left forearm with minor bleeding."
A court will accept observations. A court will not accept a guard's conclusions. Keep the two separate.