What must a guard do if they encounter a suspicious item preventing full inspection?

In situations where a guard encounters a suspicious item that obstructs a thorough inspection, the most responsible course of action is to engage the individual associated with the item and request that they move it. This is crucial because asking the individual to relocate the item serves several important purposes. It allows the guard to safely assess the item in a controlled manner, encourages communication and cooperation with the public, and helps to determine the nature of the item without escalating the situation unnecessarily.

This approach is aligned with standard protocols aimed at ensuring safety while conducting security duties, as guards are trained to interact with the public and to resolve potential threats in a measured way. Proper training emphasizes the importance of identifying risks without creating panic or causing disturbances, which is why involving the individual is often the preferred method.

Proceeding with caution might seem prudent, but it doesn’t facilitate a complete assessment of the situation. Calling for backup could delay response time and may not be necessary if the issue can be resolved quickly by engaging the individual. Leaving the item alone would be inappropriate as it would fail to address the potential threat the item represents.