Short answer: This is where the working documents live. Use these templates and guides to write reports that hold up, whether the audience is your supervisor, an insurer or a court.
Reports and templates
| Resource | Use it for | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Incident report template | Recording an event: who, what, when, where and what you did | Incident report template |
| Daily activity report (DAR) guide | Logging your whole shift in a clear, defensible format | Daily activity report |
Why reports matter
A report is often the only record of what happened. It can be read by a client, an insurer, an attorney or a judge months later. Good reports share five traits:
- Facts, not opinions: write what you saw and did, not what you assume.
- Time-stamped: record when things happened, in order.
- Complete: name people, locations, equipment and actions.
- Neutral wording: avoid emotion and speculation.
- Never altered: correct mistakes by adding a dated note, not by rewriting.
How to use the templates
- Pick the form that fits the event.
- Fill it in while details are fresh, ideally during or right after the event.
- Stick to what you observed.
- Submit it to the person your post orders name, and keep a copy only if your employer allows.
Check your post orders. Your employer’s format and retention rules override a generic template.
Related guides
- Can security guards detain people? — know the limits before you write up a detention.
- De-escalation for security guards
- AI report writing — how AI tools can help, and where to be careful.
- Voice recorders and AI note-takers
- Body camera buyer’s guide
Looking for something else?
- Licensing by state: guard licensing and PI licensing
- Careers: security careers guide
- Everything on the site: all topics
- Site navigation: help
These templates are general educational material, not legal advice. Reports can become evidence, and retention and disclosure rules vary by state and employer.
Legal disclaimer: This page is for general information and education only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Security Dogma is not a law firm. Laws, licensing rules and court decisions vary by state and change often, and what is written here may not match your situation or be current when you read it. Before you act on anything here, check the official rules from your state licensing agency, follow your employer’s and client site’s policies, and talk to a licensed attorney in your state for legal questions. See our Terms and Conditions and how facts are checked in our Editorial Policy.
Ready-to-use templates, forms and practical guides for the paperwork and procedures that protect you on the job. More downloads are on the way.
Resources in this section
- Free Shift Forms Pack: Daily Activity Report, Patrol Log & Pass-Down Log — Three one-page forms every officer uses, in Word and PDF. Free.
- Security Guard Incident Report Template: How to Write One (With Examples) — A field-by-field template, how to write the narrative, and common mistakes.
- Daily Activity Report (DAR): How to Write One, With Example — What to include, strong vs. weak entries, a full example DAR and common mistakes.