Original Note Blog
Expert insights on incident documentation, compliance, and risk management
What Happens When an SIA Complaint Is Made Against You
Most security operatives have no idea what happens after an SIA complaint is lodged. Understanding the process — and what documentation the SIA will ask for — is the difference between a licence suspension and a clean outcome.
Read MoreCCTV Operators: Your Monitoring Log Is Legal Evidence
CCTV operators are often the first to observe an incident unfolding. What you record in your monitoring log — and when — can determine the outcome of a prosecution, a civil claim, or an SIA investigation.
Read MoreKeyholding Response: The Documentation You Need Before You Leave the Site
A keyholding response call at 3am is not the time to remember what you should have recorded. Here is the complete documentation checklist — and why each element matters legally.
Read MoreCitizen's Arrest in Security: What You Must Document Before, During and After
A citizen's arrest is one of the highest risk actions a security operative can take. The documentation you produce in the next thirty minutes will determine whether you are protected or exposed.
Read MoreSIA Licence Renewal 2026: The Documentation Standard That Could Cost You Your Badge
The SIA updated its licensing criteria in December 2025. If your incident documentation doesn't meet the new standard, renewal is not guaranteed. Here is what changed and what it means for your records.
Read MoreEjections and Refusals: What Every Door Supervisor Needs to Record
An ejection without proper documentation is an ejection that can come back to haunt you. Here is exactly what you need to record, and why each element matters.
Read MoreWhy a Notebook Isn't Enough: The Problem with Traditional Incident Logs
Door supervisors still document incidents the way police did in the 1990s. Notebooks. Voice memos typed up hours later. It worked then because there was no alternative. There is now.
Read MoreThe 5-Part Statement Framework: A Complete Guide for Door Supervisors
The 5-part statement framework is what police officers use to structure every incident report. It is not theoretical — it is the standard that courts and investigators actually apply. Here is how to use it.
Read MoreHow to Write a Use of Force Report That Stands Up in Court
A poorly-written use of force report can cost you your SIA licence. Here's how to write one that stands up — from a former Metropolitan Police officer who has been on both sides.
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