Event Security Guards and Physical Force: What You Need to Know
- March 6, 2023
- Written By: Tony Vazquez, IPS Marketing Coordinator
As an event security guard, one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure the safety and security of all guests in attendance. However, the question often arises whether or not it is appropriate for a security guard to physically touch a guest.
In this post, we will discuss when it is or isn’t allowed for an event security guard to touch a guest and other relevant information related to the topic.
When is it Allowed for an Event Security Guard to Physically Touch a Guest?
There are certain situations where an event security guard may need to physically touch a guest. These situations may include:
1. Self-Defense: If a guest poses a threat to themselves or others, a security guard may use physical force to protect themselves or others. However, this force must be reasonable and necessary and not excessive.
2. Ejection: If a guest is violating the event’s rules and regulations or is engaging in disruptive behavior, a security guard may use physical force to escort them out of the venue. However, again, the force must be reasonable and necessary and not excessive.
3. Medical Emergency: In the event of a medical emergency, a security guard may need to use physical force to move a guest out of harm’s way or to provide medical assistance.
4. Crowd Control: In some cases, a security guard may need to use physical force to control a crowd, such as if there is a stampede or a physical altercation.
It is important to note that in all of these situations, an event security guard must use physical force only as a last resort and must use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation.
When is it Not Allowed for an Event Security Guard to Physically Touch a Guest?
There are also situations where it is not appropriate for an event security guard to physically touch a guest. These may include:
1. Sexual Harassment: Under no circumstances is it appropriate for an event security guard to touch a guest in a sexual manner. This type of behavior is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
2. Racial Profiling: An event security guard cannot use physical force on a guest based on their race, ethnicity, or any other discriminatory factor.
3. Retaliation: A security guard cannot use physical force on a guest as a form of retaliation for any reason. This type of behavior is not only unprofessional but also illegal.
4. Excessive Force: Finally, an event security guard cannot use excessive force when dealing with a guest. This means that the force used must be reasonable and necessary to resolve the situation.
It is important for event security guards to receive proper training in order to know how to properly handle situations where physical force may be necessary. Training should include instruction on the use of force continuum, which outlines the types of force that may be used in different situations and the level of force that is appropriate.
Furthermore, guards should always document any situation where physical force was used. This documentation can help protect both the security guard and the event organizers in case of any legal action.
Finally, event organizers should have clear policies and procedures in place for how physical force may be used by security guards. These policies should be communicated to all event staff, including security guards, and should be enforced consistently.
The safety and security of guests at events is a top priority for event security guards. While physical force may sometimes be necessary, it must be used judiciously and in accordance with clear policies and procedures.
At IPS Security, we provide comprehensive guard card courses that cover all the relevant training and information needed to succeed in the event security industry. Our courses include instruction on the use of force continuum, as well as other relevant topics such as crowd control, emergency response, and customer service. We believe that proper training and guidance are key to a successful career in event security, and we are dedicated to providing our students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your career goals!
Email: contact@ipsprotection.com
Phone: 877-203-4619
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Event Security Guards and Physical Force: What You Need to Know
- March 6, 2023
- Written By: Tony Vazquez, IPS Marketing Coordinator
As an event security guard, one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure the safety and security of all guests in attendance. However, the question often arises whether or not it is appropriate for a security guard to physically touch a guest.
In this post, we will discuss when it is or isn’t allowed for an event security guard to touch a guest and other relevant information related to the topic.
When is it Allowed for an Event Security Guard to Physically Touch a Guest?
There are certain situations where an event security guard may need to physically touch a guest. These situations may include:
1. Self-Defense: If a guest poses a threat to themselves or others, a security guard may use physical force to protect themselves or others. However, this force must be reasonable and necessary and not excessive.
2. Ejection: If a guest is violating the event’s rules and regulations or is engaging in disruptive behavior, a security guard may use physical force to escort them out of the venue. However, again, the force must be reasonable and necessary and not excessive.
3. Medical Emergency: In the event of a medical emergency, a security guard may need to use physical force to move a guest out of harm’s way or to provide medical assistance.
4. Crowd Control: In some cases, a security guard may need to use physical force to control a crowd, such as if there is a stampede or a physical altercation.
It is important to note that in all of these situations, an event security guard must use physical force only as a last resort and must use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation.
When is it Not Allowed for an Event Security Guard to Physically Touch a Guest?
There are also situations where it is not appropriate for an event security guard to physically touch a guest. These may include:
1. Sexual Harassment: Under no circumstances is it appropriate for an event security guard to touch a guest in a sexual manner. This type of behavior is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
2. Racial Profiling: An event security guard cannot use physical force on a guest based on their race, ethnicity, or any other discriminatory factor.
3. Retaliation: A security guard cannot use physical force on a guest as a form of retaliation for any reason. This type of behavior is not only unprofessional but also illegal.
4. Excessive Force: Finally, an event security guard cannot use excessive force when dealing with a guest. This means that the force used must be reasonable and necessary to resolve the situation.
It is important for event security guards to receive proper training in order to know how to properly handle situations where physical force may be necessary. Training should include instruction on the use of force continuum, which outlines the types of force that may be used in different situations and the level of force that is appropriate.
Furthermore, guards should always document any situation where physical force was used. This documentation can help protect both the security guard and the event organizers in case of any legal action.
Finally, event organizers should have clear policies and procedures in place for how physical force may be used by security guards. These policies should be communicated to all event staff, including security guards, and should be enforced consistently.
The safety and security of guests at events is a top priority for event security guards. While physical force may sometimes be necessary, it must be used judiciously and in accordance with clear policies and procedures.
At IPS Security, we provide comprehensive guard card courses that cover all the relevant training and information needed to succeed in the event security industry. Our courses include instruction on the use of force continuum, as well as other relevant topics such as crowd control, emergency response, and customer service. We believe that proper training and guidance are key to a successful career in event security, and we are dedicated to providing our students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your career goals!
Email: contact@ipsprotection.com
Phone: 877-203-4619