Please be advised this is nto legal advice, seek legal clarification from current lagel policies and procedures in your state.

What Level of Force Do I Use?

When you have been placed into a situation that has the potential for escalation or already escalated to a point of no return, questions such as “What should I do”, “What force should I use” comes to your mind.

Obliviously there are several factors to consider, such as options, backup, subjects behaviour, amount of subjects, environmental and architectural attributes and you’re our limitations. Illustrated below is the “Situational use of force model” outlining tactical options a operator may use.



The “Situational use of force model” is a visual representation of an Operator surrounded by options available to him or her. Operators are not restricted and may select other ‘use of force’ options to escalate or de-escalate the ‘use of force’ if necessary, wherever possible, ’use of force’ is to be avoided or minimised. Multiple options may be used simultaneously to assist in deescalating or resolving the situation.



This diagram is a model only and the operators control response should be based from the subject’s actions, the operator’s perception of threat and the operator’s knowledge of his or her own abilities.

Resistance Vs Control

Another way of determining the appropriate methods to varying situations is to consider two components:
- The level of resistance which the subject displays, and
- The level of control, which an operator may use to overcome such resistance. We need to look a bit closer at each of these and provide some definitions.

Levels of Resistance

The degree of force to be used to control a subject verses the proportional level of resistance, in ascending order:

Psychological Intimidation
Non-verbal cues indicate a person’s attitude, appearance and physical readiness, body language, such as clenching of fists etc, which may warn you of potential violence.

Verbal Non-compliance
Dialogue, which offers a threat of physical resistance or unwillingness to co-operate

Passive Resistance
The lowest level of physical resistance, such as a sit in, where there is no actual physical resistance to control.

Defensive Resistance
Physical actions, such as pushing or pulling away, which attempt to prevent control, but with no intent to harm the operator

Active Aggression
Physical assault upon the operator, which may cause bodily harm, this may also involve an attack, which may result in injury to others.

Aggravated Active Aggression
A level of force used by a subject, whereby the operator is justified in using deadly force, such attack may be with or without a weapon and is to an extent, which may cause death or grievous bodily harm.

Levels of Control

Presence
Presence is an exercise of force, the mere fact that security personnel are present influences behaviour and is a visual or verbal identification of authority, which he or she presents.

Situational Containment
This is the process of assessing the hazards and potential risks of danger, threat level, opportunity for situation escalation and reducing triggers of conflict.

Verbal Direction (Communication skills and negotiation)
A variety or methods may be attempted orders, commands or instructions, which are given as directions for a subject to comply, or the process of negotiation and challenging subject behaviour.

Empty Hand Control (Restraining, open and closed hand tactics)
Used to control a non-compliant subject, which may be as subtle as applying a control technique to guide the subject’s movements or by delivering a stunning or immobilisation techniques.

Withdrawal
When tactical options have been exhausted and there is real and present danger. Ensure to plan your escape route evaluating possible options while remaining calm and in control, look assertive but not aggressive and know when you must enter for a controlling technique, defend yourself or another or withdrawal (understanding your physical limitations). If you are being verbally abused but do not feel threatened, it may be wise not to withdraw rather than risk escalating the situation.
Impact Weapons
Used to control active aggression using an approved baton as outlined within the employers SOP (Security Officers only).

Lethal Force
Use when death or grievous bodily harm may occur (Firearms or other survival techniques). Note that these levels represent a continuum rather than a series of graduated steps, and should not be misinterpreted to suggest that levels correspond to each other.

Conclusion

The use of force is a very complex subject. The Operator concerned will usually be the only person aware of all of the factors before he or she makes their decision to use force. Everyone should exercise due care at all times when using force and consider all options available to him or her….Operator safety first! The question that could be asked is: "Could a reasonable person, in the circumstances, have reached the same conclusion as to the necessity to utilise that degree of force?"

If the question is answered affirmatively the Operator's conduct must be excused. It must be remembered that if, as the result of a situation, death or grievous bodily harm has occur, it would be reasonably expected that a detailed or coronial inquiry would be held and during such inquiry the actions of the operator involved would be scrutinised. If it was considered that any operator used unreasonable force there is a possibility that criminal charges could be recommended.

The utmost care and discretion must be exercised in the use of force. Any misuse will involve, as can be seen, gave responsibilities, as the law jealously guards human life. The individual Operator must remember that they are using force, and it is the operator who is ultimately responsible for his or her own actions.

Home Control & Restraint