Can security guards use force? Security guards are the first responders to intruders, outlaws, and any other perpetrators. They protect people, property, and businesses. A security guard faces daunting challenges in line with his duty.
Challenges in Security Duty
These challenges vary from situation to situation. Sometimes conflict resolution skills work, and sometimes physical involvement soothes the environment. A security guard undergoes training for this purpose. Professional training instructs him how to respond in specific circumstances. What are legal liabilities? Use of force is the subject of multiple legal and professional limitations.
Legal Authority of a Security Guard
Use of force under reasoning
Use of tools with reasoning
Different methods to resolve conflict
Authority by the Employer’s policy
Professional Approach
Deterrence
Final Words
Legal Authority of a Security Guard
Security guards are not law enforcement agencies, they are not police, and they don’t have the same legal Authority as the police. However, security guards provide protection just as hotel security guards protect the hotel and its visitors and personal security guard services protect persons.
Primary Duty of a Security Guard
The primary duty of a security guard is to observe the area under his watch, report any mutation or change in the normal routine if it is observed, and deter criminal activities by his physical presence.
The authorities of the Security Guard
Authority entrusted to a security guard gets power or authority from two sources. One of the sources is being a private citizen. This authority serves to protect oneself and one’s property or business from any imminent danger.
The second authority is derived from the Employer’s policy. The role assigned by the policy and guard training is that if permitted, he can use force and tools up to the extent that is covered by law. Beyond this cover, no force could be used to protect life and property.
Use Of Force Under Reasoning
A security guard can use force. This use of force must be guided by the use of force continuum. This continuum provides a complete guideline to security guards regarding forceful response. It describes different stages of employing force to determine the level of threat to the security guard. The essence of this continuum is reasoning.
Here are the different stages. These stages are routine when a security guard performs duty under commercial security services.
Commands
Presence
Physical intervention
Use of tools
Security guards give verbal commands to the people during crowd movements. Security guards understand the crowd psyche.
Sometimes, the mere presence of the security guard is sufficient to de-escalate the conflicting situation. In this scenario, no force is required.
Physical intervention
The upgraded stage involves the involvement of the security guard in resolving the conflict.
Use of tools
Security guards are trained to use tools. These tools are employed in times of need, where the situation is not controllable with mere verbal commands. When these tools are used, a security guard is strictly instructed during training to follow reasoning.
Authority by Employer’s Policy
If employer regulations permit excessive use of force due to business settings or other socioeconomic factors, security guards can use force as regulations permit.
Deterrence
The use of force and the presence of security guards are all designed to create Deterrence. The more deterrence, the more protection and safety the business will have.
Final words
Can Security Guards Use Force? The use of force is subject to a continuum. The security guard has authority under two heads. California Security Service offers our worthy clients a complete range of security services, including fire watch security guard services.