After detaining one or more individuals, what is the immediate next step to take?

The immediate next step after detaining one or more individuals is to contact the local police agency to report the incident. This is key because, as a security guard, you have a responsibility to ensure that law enforcement is made aware of the situation, especially when a detention occurs. Alerting the police serves multiple purposes: it ensures that trained professionals can take over the matter as necessary, it helps document the incident properly, and it maintains a procedural priority in legal matters.

While notifying a supervisor may also be important, it is not the immediate action following a detention. The same goes for obtaining a statement or providing a warning; these actions may come later but should not precede informing law enforcement. In situations where someone's rights may be impacted, timely communication with local authorities is paramount to ensure proper handling and legal compliance.