Transcript NON-LETHAL WEAPONS USE IN PRIVATE SECURITY

Aleksandar Pašagić
General Security d.o.o., Zagreb, CROATIA,
[email protected]
4th International Conference
Ergonomics 2010
Types of operating environment for a security officer:
low threat
high threat
Available options vary according to the demands of the environment
1) security officer’s presence
2) verbal commands
3) hands on/physical restraint techniques (including
the use of a baton where applicable)
4) OC spray/EMI device (where applicable)
5) firearm (where applicable)
Options are always a compromise between effectiveness and liability
Number of incidents corresponds to the inverse use of force continuum
Escalating force implies increased liability
Objectives:
-
project a civilized image
-
distance the company from excessively aggressive
image
-
avoid negative publicity associated with violence
Objectives achieved through reduction in use of force
Compromise between effectiveness and minimal use of
force: Non-Lethal Weapons
Definition:
“… weapons … explicitly designed and primarily
employed … to incapacitate personnel or materiel,
while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to
personnel, and undesired damage to property and the
environment”
- United States Department of Defense Policy Directive 3000.3, Policy
for Non-Lethal Weapons, July 9, 1996
Alternative terminology – Less-Lethal Weapons
Impact weapons
Chemical compliance weapons
Electrical compliance weapons
Advantages:
- effective
- cheap
- simple to use
Disadvantages:
- lack of damage
control
- associated
negative image
- not everywhere
legal
Advantages:
- relatively cheap
- perceived as non-threatening
- good safety record
- simple to use
Disadvantages:
- perceived as non-threatening
- inconsistent results
- limited in close quarters applications
Advantages:
- consistent results
- no lasting harm
Disadvantages:
- high cost
- escalation of force problem
Generally considered the future of NLWs
Probe application
Drive-stun application
Severity scale
0 – No observed adverse level
1 – Effects not normally requiring medical treatment for
full recovery (incl. intended effect)
2 – Effects requiring medical treatment, but are not life
threatening nor pose risk of disability after recovery
3 – Life-threatening effects, lethality, significant risk of
disability after recovery
Severity scale can be used to assess the efectiveness of a
NLW system
1. Ocular injury
2. Seizure
3. Ventricular fibrillation
4. Fall injuries
Potential for unintentional
discharge
Perceived non-lethality leading to more frequent use of
NLW
Increased probability of inappropriate application
Reduced sense of responsibility
NLW are a useful set of tools to bridge the gap between
unarmed response and lethal force
NLW positively influence the public image of private
security company compared to firearms or impact
weapons
but
Security officer education in use of NLWs crucial
Education on context of use, not only techniques
Inappropriate use of NLWs leads to negative public image
and potential legal claims
Aleksandar Pašagić
[email protected]
www.generalsecurity.hr