Training unarmed security officers: de-escalation, self-defense and defensive tactics

Police officers undergo a number of important training courses, including those on de-escalation and defensive tactics. This training prepares them for various confrontations and attacks. Dealing with angry and/or aggressive people is not a fun part of the job, but it is in fact part of the job and training to prepare for such situations is crucial.

What about unarmed campus security officers? Are they expected to intervene in potentially dangerous situations? Are they accused of protecting others by putting themselves in harm’s way? The answer to these questions depends largely on the environment and expectations placed on security officers.

Regardless of campus security officers’ assigned duties, they should be prepared to defend themselves or others in worst-case scenarios. But what training should they receive?

Security officers may need to defend themselves

Most states have a required training program for unarmed security officers that covers a wide range of topics, including the role of private security, legal aspects, patrolling and surveillance, incident response, security resources, customer service and first aid. Most agencies that use unarmed security will likely require the unarmed security to become certified in CPR/AED and a variety of other necessary tasks. Much, if not all, can be accomplished online, so even in those states that require some type of de-escalation training, the classes can be completed without any scenario-based activities.

Defending yourself and others is probably not part of the normal duties of an unarmed security officer, but it is possible.

The question then becomes what type of training should be offered to unarmed security personnel? De-escalation, self-defense, and defensive tactics are all options, but again this depends on many variables, including the specific job responsibility (duty to protect others), the threat and risk environment, and the site/location. It also depends on the additional security measures taken. For example, some educational institutions employ both unarmed security officers and police. Training in de-escalation, self-defense, and defensive tactics should be considered.

De-escalation training helps officers avoid using physical force

Today’s unarmed security officer has become a professional observer. They care for people and property, but generally do not engage in prohibitive physical contact. The controversial nature of modern America has created an atmosphere of uncertainty both on the part of those who would employ security officers and among the officers themselves. The presence of a security guard is arguably the most important job function, serving as both a deterrent and, quite often, a customer service representative. Security officers have primary responsibilities of “observe and report.” Regardless of their specific roles and responsibilities, interactions with internal staff, including students and the public, can often lead to conflict.

Related Article: Dealing with Difficult People: 10 Tips to Defuse Toxic Situations

Introduce the innovative pragmatism of the educational community, which typically presents measured responses as a way to alleviate responsibility while allowing for a cheaper alternative to solving the problem.

Security is in a precarious position because it has the advantage of a focused professional who is present on the premises, but security officers are also a risky option. They must gain compliance in order to protect property and personnel while operating in dynamics that typically do not allow for the use of physical force or compliance. Good training can help close the performance gap at this pay level. A great skill to focus on is de-escalation.

De-escalation training professionals

• It sets the standard that physical strength is not the first or most preferred option.
• The use of force is not expected to be required on the part of an employee unless he or she considers it necessary to save life or prevent serious bodily injury.
• If training is successful, employees can gain the tools they need to deal with “hot” situations without having to engage in hands-on activities, or worse, without having to engage in them.
• The pressure to apprehend the “suspect” at all costs is gone… if an arrest cannot be made, the police can revert to the “observe and report” method and let the police handle the situation. Stopping the illegal activity and allowing the suspect to leave the scene without harming anyone is a victory.
• Promoting an employee’s attitude of non-violent intervention can go a long way in preventing civil losses.

Disadvantages of de-escalation training

• Security officers may not have the skills necessary to defend themselves and others.
• With limited training that does not include defense skills, they may be unfairly stigmatized as a “cop for hire.”

Self-defense training is very diverse

The Cornell Law School Legal Information Center defines self-defense as the use of force to protect yourself from another person’s attempt to harm you. When warranted, self-defense is a defense against a range of violent crimes and torts, including murder, assault and battery.

Self-defense training is intended for self-defense, although it could be argued that the skills learned in self-defense can also be used to defend others. This type of training includes a wide range of martial arts styles (karate, taekwondo, jiu jitsu, Krav Maga, etc.), a series of self-defense classes, specialized classes for women and one-off seminars.

Professionals in self-defense training

• It provides a form of self-defense so that an unarmed security officer has at least a chance of surviving the initial physical confrontation.
• Most self-defense training in martial arts includes an attack-defender element that simulates a likely attack – thrusts, knockdowns, punches, choking, etc.
• The advanced and long-term training is designed to hone skills aimed at surviving a deliberate attack and may even include self-defense techniques against knife attacks and more than one attacker.
• The hidden benefit of continuous martial arts training is building self-confidence and physical fitness, which are important in surviving an attack.

Disadvantages of self-defense training

It’s hard to imagine many disadvantages for people, including unarmed security officers, who want to learn to better protect themselves – and perhaps others, but a few disadvantages may include:

• Providing a limited amount of self-defense training may make someone overconfident and even give them a false sense of skill set that may discourage them from doing better when confronted with a potentially aggressive person (escape, de-escalate, call for help). .
• Learning self-defense may prompt an unarmed security officer to take actions that go beyond the scope of his or her job duties.
• Beyond a short series of classes, it takes time for a talented martial artist with the skills that would give someone adequate self-defense skills. Subjective opinions may suggest that being a great marriage artist requires five to seven years of training several times a week. However, one study suggests that it takes approximately 38 hours of training to teach proficiency in a specific defensive and offensive technique.
• Like the time aspect, a martial arts program will likely be quite expensive. However, it can be argued that the conservation money is worth the cost.
• Variations in self-defense training often depend on style and instructor. Choosing the right style is extremely important.

Defensive tactics training has its strengths and weaknesses

Defensive Tactics (DT) for unarmed security officers is a method of controlled defensive and offensive movements intended to respond to another person’s aggression or resistance. This is used to defend a security officer or a third party in order to apprehend the aggressor or even detain the victim until law enforcement arrives.

Related Article: 11 Roles of Unarmed Security Officers in Active Assault Incidents

In many states, unsworn, unarmed security officers cannot make arrests for most crimes they observe. However, they may use force to protect themselves and/or another person. They can then detain the person and call law enforcement.

With this in mind, defensive tactics training for unarmed security officers may be appropriate. This training would cover more than just self-defense tactics. It would train security officers in offensive tactics to deter and apprehend aggressive and dangerous suspects. It should be ongoing training, not just one-off classes.

Unarmed security officers are not trained like police officers, nor are they expected to be police officers. However, for comparison; police officers generally receive at least 40 hours of defensive tactics training at the academy. This is usually ongoing professional development training that they receive every year. This training typically includes pressure points, striking, wrist locks, escort/bar tactics, and ground fighting. The use of impact weapons such as batons and handcuffs was also included. Most departments also train officers in the use of pepper spray and conductive energy devices through the DT program.

Advantages of defensive tactics

• Officers are better equipped to protect themselves and others from violent criminal behavior.
• An organization that employs security officers would benefit from protecting people.
• This may mitigate the civil liability of the organization or institution.
• The confidence of security officers can be increased with TD training.

Disadvantages of defensive tactics

• As with any training, there will be costs associated with DT training.
• Security officers may be injured during training. This can impact staff and cause staffing issues.
• Some security officials may be reluctant to receive this type of training.
• The legal department of the organization/institution should review and approve the training.
• Security personnel with such training may overreact in certain situations and use force when inappropriate.

De-escalation, self-defense, and DT are all good options

When hiring unarmed campus security officers, it is important to determine the type of training they receive based on their roles, responsibilities and expectations, as well as their specific working conditions. Leadership should clearly define expectations and provide training for officers. De-escalation, self-defense, and defensive tactics are all good options.

The main goal should be to define the mission of security officers and support it with the desired training. The safety of students, faculty, staff and security personnel may depend on these officers, and the officers’ lives may depend on their training.

Andy Altizer is the Emergency Management Coordinator for Westminster Schools. Jim Hodge is Westminster Schools Safety Manager. Tim Murphy is the captain of the special operations unit at Kennesaw State University.

The views expressed by guest bloggers and authors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Safety Magazine and should not be attributed to them.