When can a security guard use physical force?

The use of physical force by a security guard is primarily justified when it is necessary to protect themselves or others, following established company policies and adhering to legal standards. This criterion ensures that the use of force is appropriate, reasonable, and proportional to the situation at hand.

In the context of security work, the training provided to guards emphasizes a clear understanding of the law regarding self-defense and defense of others. This includes the concept of reasonable force, meaning that a guard should only use physical intervention when it is needed to prevent harm and when alternatives, such as verbal de-escalation tactics, are ineffective or impractical.

By aligning the use of physical force with both company policies and legal requirements, security guards maintain a professional standard of conduct that helps safeguard their legal rights and liabilities while ensuring public safety. This approach minimizes unnecessary confrontation and focuses on conflict resolution in a manner compliant with regulations.

Other options suggest circumstances under which a guard might use force that lack a clear legal or professional grounding. While personal feelings of threat or convenience might inform a guard's perception of a situation, they do not establish a legitimate basis for the use of physical force in a professional context. Additionally, restricting the use of force solely to pursuits of suspects ignores broader responsibilities of security personnel to