Private Protective Services General Guard Training Covering the Use of Force Continuum by Jeffrey Winfree.

1. Use of Force Continuum
Model Overview
• The Security Guard/ Officer continuously assesses the
situation or “scene” and selects the most reasonable
option relative to those circumstances as perceived at
that specific point in time.
• The force continuum is broken down into Five broad
levels.
• Each level is designed to be flexible, as the need for force
changes, and as the situation evolves.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile
situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

2. Use of Force Continuum
Model Overview
• It is common for the level of force to quickly escalate
and / or de-escalate.
Example:
Security Guard / Officer using level one, two, and three;
and back to level one again, in a matter of seconds.
“Sir, that is a restricted entrance, please use this door
(pointing at the door).”
The individual complies and apologizes for using the wrong entrance.
• Levels four and five will not be discussed in detail in this training session because they
involve the use of additional equipment that Unarmed Security Guards/Officers are
typically not equipped with or must be certified to carry.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

3. Use of Force Continuum
Level One - Officer Presence GREEN
• No force is used.
• Considered the BEST way to resolve a situation.
• The mere presence of a highly visible professional
uniformed Security Guard/Officer is often enough to
stop a crime in progress or prevent future crime.
• An alert officer can deter crime or direct criminals
away from a property by use of body language and gestures.
• At this level, gestures should be non-threatening and
professional.
• When the Site Security Staff includes additional members,
contact fellow Security Guards/Officers to increase presence.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

4. Use of Force Continuum
Level Two - Verbal Communication BLUE
• Used in combination with a visible presence, the use of
the voice can usually achieve the desired results.
• Words can be whispered, used normally, or shouted to
be effective.
• The content of the message is as important as your
demeanor.
• It’s always best to start out calm but firm and non-threatening.
• Choice of words and intensity can be increased as necessary or
used in short commands to diffuse serious situations.
• The right combination of words can de-escalate a tense situation and prevent the need for
a physical altercation.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

5. Use of Force Continuum
Level Three – Physical Control Holds & Restraints YELLOW
• Certain situations may arise where words alone do not
reduce the aggression.
• At this level, minimal force would involve the use of
bare hands to guide, hold, and restrain.
• This does not include offensive moves, such as
punching, tackling and choking.
• In a defensive posture, the level of force should be equal
to (or only slightly greater than) the aggressor.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

6. Use of Force Continuum
Level Four – Intermediate Weapons ORANGE
• This option represents an intermediate group of weapons
between empty hand control and firearms.
• Modern day technology is always inventing new methods
for less than lethal force.
• Attempting to categorize each intermediate weapon
would be confusing and unnecessary.
• Specific training and certification in the use of each
less than lethal device is required in the State of Tennessee.
• Currently, the Commissioner Recognizes 3 non-lethal or less than lethal devices: Baton,
Chemical Spray and Electronic Control Devices such as Taser/Stun Gun, and both Armed and
Unarmed Security Guards may receive training.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

7. Use of Force Continuum
Level Five – Lethal Force RED
• This level includes use of a firearm to neutralize
the threat.
• It would also include any other weapon or technique
used in a manner that is likely or intended to cause
“Grievous Bodily Harm” or Death.
• De-Escalation should be the focus and objective of every difficult or potentially hostile situation.
Examples:
• Baton strike to the head
• Pen plunged into the eye
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer

8. Use of Force Continuum
Additional Considerations
• In our modern-day world, technology, the news media, and
social media platforms are factors that cannot be ignored.
• The split-second decision you made to use any level of force,
will be witnessed, recorded, scrutinized, and continuously
shared in the “Court of Public Opinion” long before any legal
action is taken, or a (civil / criminal) trial ever takes place.
• A security guard / officer using the force continuum correctly
always starts at level one, but the perpetrator can start at level five.
• The bottom line is that any force used must be reasonable.
Question:
• Were your actions those that a reasonable, well-trained, prudent
Security Guard/ Officer would take, faced with a similar set of circumstances.
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Orientation Part 2 – Attitude & Conduct of a Security Guard/Officer