BSIS Firearms Training Manual - October 2001 Edition

 Firearm Training Manual  50

4. INSTRUCTOR EXAMPLES (Instructor Discussion) Instructor Explanation: (197 PC) Justifiable Homicide Requires Real Threat

Students are to be informed that while the law states that homicide is justifiable when apprehending a felon it is not interpreted that way in court: The crime must also be an atrocious crime involving the use of force and there must be a real threat of death or great bodily harm. The following is an example: Instructor Explanation (198 PC) Justifiable Homicide; sufficiency of fear

The instructor will discuss with the students that killing an individual because of a belief that the person may pose a future threat is not sufficient justification for homicide. There must also be a clear and present danger.

Instructor Explanation (Instructor Discussion)

Security guards should always remember that deadly force should be used only as a last

resort when all other means of defense, including evading the situation and the most important factor of all: No innocent life is in danger from the actions of the

security guard.

1. Avoid, Observe and Report:

A guard following the principles of Avoid-Observe and Report would avoid the conflict and observe the suspect(s) in order to factually report the situation to superiors and/or law enforcement as soon as possible. The guard would not confront and may literally retreat from the suspect or the conflict situation. The guard would continue to maintain a visual presence by allowing the suspect and other persons to see the guard.

2. Cover and Concealment:

A guard engaging in cover and concealment would seek protective cover, such as behind a barricade or wall, remain hidden from the view of the suspect(s) and report the situation by phone or radio if possible. If safe, the guard would observe the situation in order to factually report the situation. However, the primary objective is to maintain personal safety and the safety of others. The guard would not confront the suspect(s).

1. Escalation of Force: Levels in the use of force