BSIS Firearms Training Manual - October 2001 Edition

 Firearm Training Manual  52

are giving a firm directive. This may be hard to do when the subject is hollering and cussing at you or others. While this may be hard to do, you often can keep a situation from escalating and control the situation more effectively. For example, you may be far less threatening by saying: Please, sir, or, Excuse me, miss. If saying please, sir, or miss in a genuinely respectful, even firm, manner contributes to the subject cooperating or the situation not escalating to a physical confrontation, isn’t it better to speak in a polite manner?

9. Physical Control Levels: The physical control levels in escalating order are: physical contact, use of pepper spray, use of baton, and use of firearm. Remember that all of these levels may be used only for justifiable defensive purposes. A guard who engages in physical control with a subject must be able to establish that it was reasonable and justified.

10. Physical Contact: There are many factors for a guard to consider prior to initiating physical contact in any conflict situation. The most important may be does the situation justify the use of physical force? Is there a real and immediate threat to the physical safety of the guard or another person? If the answer to these questions is "No", physical contact may not be justified. If physical force is not justified, an appropriate response may be for the guard to withdraw and contact the supervisor or the police. A physical withdrawal by the guard may be required. If physical contact is justified and required, then there are many other factors to consider, including: the age and size of the guard relative to the subject; the guard’s physical condition and training in physical control techniques; the potential number of subjects the guard may confront; the availability of immediate assistance; the possibility that the subject may be armed with an unseen weapon, such as a knife, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; the medical, mental and psychological state of the subject; the possibility of being overpowered resulting in an increase of force and serious injury; and company policy regarding the use of physical force.

Unless physical force is justified and required by an immediate threat, such as being physically attacked, withdrawing from the conflict situation, avoiding physical contact with the suspect, and then notifying the police to respond to the situation, may be the only proper and appropriate action for the guard to take.