The primary goal of every security employee is to ensure the safety of property and persons while utilizing the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve a situation. Personnel shall only use force that is objectively reasonable given the facts and circumstances known to the guard at the time.

Personnel shall generally follow the levels of escalation below. However, guards are authorized to bypass levels if a subject presents an immediate threat that requires a higher level of response.

Level 1: Presence The mere presence of a uniformed security guard and a marked vehicle is the first level of force. A professional, alert stance can often deter criminal activity before it begins.

Level 2: Verbal Commands Guards shall use clear, authoritative, and polite commands to direct a subject.

• Example: "Sir, please step away from the vehicle" or "You are trespassing, you must leave the property."

Level 3: Physical Restraint & Compliance Tools If verbal commands fail and the subject is physically resistant (but not yet violent), guards may use:

• Escort Positions: Guiding the subject by the arm.

• Handcuffing: Securing a subject for detention.

• Chemical Agents: Use of Pepper Spray to deter a non-compliant or aggressive subject.

Level 4: Less-Lethal Force Used when a subject becomes combative or poses a physical threat to the guard or others.

• Electronic Control Devices (Taser): Used to temporarily incapacitate a violent subject.

• Impact Tools: Use of the Baton for strikes to "green" zones (arms/legs) to stop an assault.

• Less-Lethal Projectiles: Beanbag shotguns or 40mm launchers (Authorized personnel only).

Level 5: Lethal Force The use of a firearm is the final resort. Lethal force is only authorized when the guard has a reasonable belief that such force is necessary to protect themselves or others from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.

• Warning Shots: The discharge of a firearm as a "warning" is strictly prohibited.

• Moving Vehicles: Personnel shall not fire at or from a moving vehicle except in extreme circumstances where no other option exists to preserve life.

• Drawing of Firearms: Firearms should only be drawn when the guard reasonably anticipates a situation may escalate to a lethal force encounter.

• Duty to De-escalate: Whenever safe and feasible, guards shall attempt to slow down a situation to allow for more time, options, and resources (such as waiting for Law Enforcement).

• Cease Fire: Once a subject is no longer a threat (e.g., they have dropped their weapon or are incapacitated), the use of force must stop immediately.

• Medical Aid: Once a scene is secure ("Code Four"), guards have a duty to provide or request medical assistance for any person injured during a force encounter.

Any use of force beyond Level 2 (Verbal Commands) must be reported to a Supervisor immediately. This includes:

• Discharging Pepper Spray or a Taser.

• Any strike made with a Baton.

• Any discharge of a firearm (accidental or intentional).

• Any incident resulting in injury to a subject or a guard.