Observation & Documentation (California)

Instructor: National Institute of Public Safety (National IPS)
Level: Beginner | Course Type: 100% Online | Duration: 4 Hours
Certificate of Completion: Awarded Upon Completion

Course Description

This California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)-certified 4-hour Observation & Documentation course is designed to equip security professionals with the essential skills needed to effectively observe and document incidents. The course covers vital topics such as report writing, patrol techniques, asking appropriate questions, and identifying suspicious activity.

By the end of this fully online course, you will have a stronger understanding of how to document incidents accurately, ask the right questions in challenging situations, and observe suspicious activity with keen attention to detail—all while improving your report writing and overall communication skills.

What You’ll Learn

• How to write clear and accurate incident reports

• Effective patrol techniques to improve situational awareness

• How to ask appropriate questions during observations and investigations

• Techniques for identifying and documenting suspicious activity

• How to observe and document incidents in a manner that supports investigations

• The fundamentals of observational skills and proper documentation practices

Why This Course Matters

As a security professional, your ability to observe, document, and report incidents accurately is crucial in maintaining safety and supporting law enforcement when necessary. This course will help you refine your observation techniques and reporting skills, ensuring you can provide clear, reliable documentation and handle any situation with confidence and professionalism.

Course Requirements

• Students must be at least 18 years old.

• Students should have already completed the 8-hour BSIS Powers of Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course (online and in-person) required for licensure as a security officer in California, or have plans to complete it soon.

• This course can be paired with other 4-hour BSIS continued education courses to help meet the 32-hour continuing education requirement set by the state of California.

Who This Course Is For

• Security professionals looking to improve their observation and documentation skills

• Employers seeking to train security staff on effective reporting and documentation practices

• Individuals interested in enhancing their ability to observe and document incidents accurately and effectively

✅ Enroll now to enhance your observation skills and reporting techniques, and become a more professional, confident, and capable security officer.