I have been the owner of a security guard company since 1994.  During the past 15 years, my officers have had to resort to the use of deadly force on more than one occasion.  Here are some examples of situations that required one or more of my officers to use deadly force.

1. Deranged man takes a hostage at gunpoint in a shopping plaza.  Two security officers order him to release the hostage and to drop the weapon.  Suspect shoots woman in the shoulder and security officers shoot and kill suspect.
2. Armed robbery at local convenience store.  One uniformed officer and one undercover loss prevention officer inside store.  Undercover officer is in a concealed location watching for shoplifters.  He is a trained military sniper.  Suspect is at counter demanding money at gunpoint.  He  fires one shot at uniformed officer.  Undercover officer, from concealed location, shoots and kills suspect.
3. Two males are stealing copper pipes from a vacant apartment building.  Security officer makes contact with suspects, who charge at security officer with a large electric saw.  Security officer shoots and kills one suspect and apprehends the other.
4. Security officer is conducting a bank escort on foot when two suspects jump out of bushes and attempt an armed robbery.  Security officer shoots one and they both flee.  Suspect is later apprehended when he seeks treatment at a local hospital.
5. Simple shoplifting at a local convenience store.  Several males enter store where two undercover loss prevention officers are working.  Officers chase suspects from store, who flee and are not apprehended.  One officer approaches the get-away car parked next to the front door.  Driver displays a gun and shoots at officer from less than two feet away.  Officer is not hit and returns fire.  Car speeds away.  Suspect, who was shot several times, stops his car, calls 911 from a cellular phone, and is apprehended.
   
6. Another armed robbery at a convenience store.  Store undercover security officers shoot and fatally wound suspect.

These are just a few of the encounters my officers have had over the years.  Although my state does not require security guard companies to train its staff in the use of firearms or in the use of deadly force, we do both.

During my years as a business owner and police officer, I have come across far too many security officers who do not know how to properly handle a firearm.  This is probably a good thing, because these same officers have no idea what deadly force is and when it can be used. To understand deadly force, one must first have a basic understanding of the force continuum.  Although situations sometimes prevent this progressive use of force from being used, it may be referenced in court with regards to the use of deadly force.  All security officers should know and understand the force continuum.

If you are the owner or a manager of a security guard company, spend the money to properly train each and every officer in the use of his or her firearm, the force continuum and deadly force.  You never know when an officer may have to rely on the training received through your company.  And, you never know when this training just may save the life of your officer or and innocent shopper, bystander or client.

Should you need any reference or training materials, please feel free to leave a comment with your request.

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