Taking money found in a lost wallet on duty can land you in serious trouble.

A moment on duty, a wallet left behind, a decision to make. You’ve probably imagined it yourself at some point: you spot a lost wallet, you’re already thinking about policy handbooks and the right thing to do. The question you’d face in a real world setting isn’t just about whether you’ll get in trouble. It’s about what could happen next—how a single choice can ripple through your job, your license, and even your freedom. So, what could be the result of taking money found in a lost wallet while on duty? The answer is all of the above.

Three big consequences, one unhappy outcome

Let’s unpack the three layers that can follow a moment of poor judgment.

1. You might get fired

Security roles rely on trust. When a person in a position of responsibility steps outside the bounds of honesty, it isn’t just a minor slip-up. It’s a breach of trust that can shatter confidence from coworkers, supervisors, and the public you’re meant to protect. Employers take found-property handling seriously. A wallet, whether it holds a little or a lot, represents someone’s personal property. Misappropriating it signals that you can’t be relied upon to honor basic rules, and many organizations won’t hesitate to sever ties to protect everyone else on-site. Fire is not just a consequence; it’s a blunt signal that the standard of conduct in the security field is non-negotiable.

2. You could face a code of conduct violation under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act

Ontario has a structured framework to keep private security professionals up to a certain standard. The Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA) lays out expected behaviors, licensing rules, and consequences for breaches. A finding of misappropriation or any inappropriate handling of found property is a serious matter under the act. Licensing bodies take these issues seriously because they affect not only the individual’s career but the integrity of the entire profession. A code-of-conduct violation doesn’t just stay on a file; it can lead to disciplinary actions, restrictions, or even more formal proceedings. And once that’s on your record, it can influence future licensing decisions and your ability to work in security roles.

3. You could be charged with a criminal offence

This is the hardest part to swallow, but it’s real. Taking money that doesn’t belong to you can be theft. Theft is a criminal act, and the law doesn’t vanish because you were wearing a uniform or stationed at a post. The amount may affect sentencing, but the act itself is what triggers legal action. You could face charges, fines, probation, or jail time, depending on the circumstances and the amount involved. Even if the value is modest, the charge can carry lasting consequences—convictions don’t vanish with a new job or a different shift.

The why behind the consequences

You might wonder, why do these penalties come down so hard? The answer isn’t flashy. It’s about trust. Security personnel are paid to be guardians of public confidence. People who interact with you—customers, colleagues, and property owners—need to feel that you’re a steady, trustworthy presence. A single lapse can undermine that trust across an entire site, and in a broader sense, it can chip away at the reputation of the whole security team. That’s why organizations and licensing bodies treat this issue with seriousness.

A practical look at the scenario

Let me explain how this plays out in a real setting, because you’ll likely face small details that make a big difference.

• The wallet isn’t just cash; it’s a bundle of identity and personal connection. It could contain IDs, photos, or business cards. The owner isn’t a vague concept; they’re a person who may be counting on the wallet for daily life. That’s why the immediate response matters.

• The policy isn’t a distant rulebook. It’s the daily compass your employer expects you to follow. If you’re tempted to keep or spend funds, you’re crossing a line that’s clearly marked in most security organizations’ lost-property procedures.

• The legal angle isn’t optional paperwork. It’s a real risk. PSISA codes of conduct aren’t ceremonial; they’re enforceable. A violation can restrict your ability to work in this field for a long time.

What should you do instead? A practical playbook

You don’t need to be a hero in a movie to do the right thing. You need a steady, simple sequence that keeps you safe, your employer protected, and the owner found.

• Do not handle the money as if it’s yours. Your duty is to preserve it for the rightful owner.

• Notify a supervisor or the appropriate authority on site. If there’s a lost-and-found system, follow it. If there isn’t, document the moment clearly, with time, location, and a description of the items.

• Do what you can to help locate the owner. If there are clues—a wallet with an ID, a contact number on a card—follow the proper channels to connect the person with their property, within privacy rules.

• If you can’t identify the owner, turn the item in to the appropriate authority (supervisor, security manager, or, where required, the local police). Get a receipt or a note showing you handed it in.

• Keep it transparent. Don’t discuss the wallet with coworkers in a casual, “he said, she said” way. Record your actions so there’s a clear trail of what happened and when.

• Reflect afterward. If you’re unsure how to proceed next time, ask for a quick refresher on the property-handling policy. Short, concrete training sessions can reinforce the right steps.

The broader impact: protecting your career and the public

Why go through all this, you might wonder? Because ethics aren’t abstract ideas. They’re practical commitments that keep people safe and communities secure. When you handle found property correctly, you’re showing that you value people’s privacy, respect ownership, and uphold the law. That steady discipline is what helps you build a reliable reputation—one that’s worth more than any single paycheck.

A few quick considerations you’ll likely encounter in the field

• The value of the money isn’t the only factor. The act matters more than the amount. The law and policy don’t differentiate simply on cash value; they look at trust, intent, and behavior.

• Your behavior sets the tone for others. Colleagues and the public notice how you respond to uncertainty. A calm, principled approach strengthens the entire team.

• Documentation is your friend. A clear record protects you and helps your organization demonstrate due diligence if questions arise later.

A touch of realism, a lot of responsibility

No doubt this topic isn’t as flashy as some high-stakes security stories you might hear. But it’s one of those everyday ethics moments that can define a career. The wallet scenario isn’t about a clever maneuver or cleverness; it’s about choosing the path of integrity when the pressure is on. That choice—consistently made—builds a professional life that’s not only legally sound but also personally fulfilling.

Final take: three takeaways to carry forward

• Home in on trust. Your job hinges on the public’s trust in your integrity. Protect that trust with every decision you make on duty.

• Follow policy and law. PSISA and your organization’s rules aren’t arbitrary. They’re the framework that keeps you and everyone else safe.

• Act with clarity and care. When you find something that isn’t yours, the right move is to secure, report, and hand it off properly. If you’re ever unsure, ask for guidance rather than guessing.

If you ever find yourself wondering about the best course, remember this: ethical conduct isn’t a theoretical concept. It’s a practical, daily commitment that shapes your career and the communities you serve. And in the field of security, that commitment can be as concrete as a wallet picked up off the ground—the right action preserves trust, protects livelihoods, and keeps everyone safer in the long run.