2. Security guards and security officers assigned to an active post may
find themselves in a situation where they are required to take a
criminal into custody or defend themselves.
3. A training question that always arises is how much force is a security
officer allowed use in a tense and potentially dangerous situation?
Of course, the answer is: it depends on the situation and how the
officer is equipped. For the assume the security officer is fully equipped
with a handgun, PR-24 baton, pepper spray, and handcuffs.
Of course, the security officer would have to be properly licensed, hold
necessary permits, be fully trained, and only carry legal and authorized
weapons.
4. Reasonable Force
Unlike police officers, security officers are not required to ever
make an arrest. Most security officers merely observe and report
and call the police if a crime occurs in their presence.
However, when a security guard or security officer needs to take
someone into custody for a crime, he or she must use reason and
common sense. The law varies from state-to-state, but generally
allows citizens to make an arrest and use reasonable force in
doing so.
One common definition of reasonable force is simply not to be
excessive, under the circumstances.
5. Use of Force Continuum
The concept of a force continuum has been around for years and is still
taught at most police academies. The force continuum is broken down
into six broad levels. Each level is designed to have an elastic factor as
the need for force changes as the situation evolves.
6. Level One: Officer Presence
Level Two: Verbal Communication
Level Three: Control Holds & Restraints
8. Training is Key
To fully understand the force continuum it must be periodically
discussed and reviewed by security supervisors. Practical exercises will
help re-enforce the training and cause the reactions to become more
appropriate instead of instinctual. In a crisis situation, fear and
adrenalin have a way of accelerating the force continuum. Practice and
ongoing training exercises will ease the effects of stress and make the
safe outcome more predictable.
