Most PPOs and BSIS training materials recommend writing incident reports in:
Explanation
First-person, active-voice, past-tense reporting is the modern standard for police and security reports. It is direct ('I observed' rather than 'It was observed'), clearly identifies the actor (the writing guard), avoids hedging, and reads naturally on the witness stand. Passive voice (c) obscures the actor and invites cross-examination. Second person (a) is conversational and inappropriate. The artistic approach (b) is not a real standard. Some legacy PPOs still use third-person style (e.g., 'Officer Lee observed...'), but the trend strongly favors first-person, active voice for clarity and credibility.
Law Reference: BSIS report-writing curriculum; PPO standard operating proceduresThis topic, taught in full in the California Guard Card (BSIS Security Guard) guide. California Guard Card — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $9.99 · 14-day refund →
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