When a company hires security officers or a security company, they acknowledge the need for risk mitigation. For example a warehouse may need to mitigate the risk of employee theft via a bag inspection program.
But when a venue like a nightclub, restaurant, or sporting arena hires security officers, they acknowledge an obligation to protect customers from potential violence. This obligation requires a proactive mitigation strategy that is based on the “risk picture.” And in the case of nightclubs and arenas for example, the risk picture involves aggressive individuals in heightened or intoxicated mental states.
The security officers in these businesses have a responsibility to protect all sides in any conflict that may arise. This leaves an officer with the need to make decisions quickly and accurately to achieve the best possible result–that’s where a Response to Resistance policy policy comes into play.
Whether or not a security team will be able to accomplish such swift decision making often depends on if they have written procedures in place. Without a Response to Resistance policy policy, the security officer is left to make unguided judgement calls that may result in damage and injury. These outcomes may later become the responsibility of the employer.
Therefore, effective, well-written Response to Resistance policy policies actually lead to fewer violent incidents because these documents formalize the actions an officer should take to avoid escalation. If escalation is unavoidable however, the Response to Resistance policy policy also offers guidelines on how to take appropriate action.
**Please note: This review is not intended to be legal advice. Businesses must always consult with a qualified attorney before making legally sensitive decisions. This blog is however, intended to get inspire businesses to think these concepts and how they relate to daily operations.**
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