A
baton may be used only for defensive purposes. The situation must
justify the use of a baton as a defensive response. There are many
factors that the guard should consider prior to using a baton which
are covered in the baton-training course. In terms of de-escalation
of force, would the use of the baton only increase the conflict and
make the situation worse? For example, if the suspect were drunk,
uncooperative and refusing to leave, would use of a baton be
justified? Should the guard retreat, not use the baton, contact the
police and wait for them to respond to the situation?
13. Using a Firearm: A
firearm MUST be used for only defensive purposes. It is the highest
level of force. The situation must justify the use of deadly force.
That is, there MUST be an imminent and immediate danger to life. A
shooting carries a high degree of risk for all involved parties and
for innocent bystanders as well. The shooting will result in the
guard and the company being thoroughly investigated by the local
police and the Bureau. If the shooting is not justified or if
policies or procedures were not followed, the guard, and the
company, may be subject to criminal prosecution, civil action or
both.
14. Principles of
de-escalation: In
de-escalation, the guard takes active steps to remove, withdraw,
retreat or distance himself/herself from the persons involved in the
conflict for the purpose of avoiding and diffusing the conflict.
This may range from not stepping foreword in response to a
challenge, to physically retreating for the purpose of avoiding
conflict, to taking cover to prepare to only observe and report. A
good general rule to follow is this: If there is not a justification
to use force, then engage in de-escalation. Do not engage in
behaviors that escalate the conflict and result in the use of any
force. This may mean NOT physically or verbally confronting nor
pursuing a subject, or stepping back and retreating from the
conflict, or withdrawing, taking cover and only preparing to notify
and report to the police.
For example, suppose
that while on duty you observe an armed robbery occurring at a store
across the street from the property you are guarding. There is no
justification for you to confront the robbers or initiate the use of
force. The person and property you are assigned to protect is not
under any immediate threat, neither your client’s business nor
property is being robbed, and you are not trained to intervene in an
armed robbery in progress across the street. The only appropriate
response is for you to take cover, stay on post, notify the police,
observe and prepare to report.
In discussing the case
studies below, consider each of the following questions in your
discussion: (1) Does a clear and present danger exist to justify a
shooting? (2) Should the guard escalate or de-escalate, such as
shoot, pursue, retreat, cover and conceal, avoid contact, and/or
observe and report and wait for local law enforcement to respond to
the situation?
15. Case Studies: Instructors
are to thoroughly review and actively involve each student in the
discussion of the case studies. The discussions are to focus on
assessing the total
