When picking security, do not pick:
- Anyone just because of their size
- The guy who wants to be everyone’s friend
- The guy who drinks all night and handles fights
Picking the wrong people for security can lead to:
- Overreactions
- Fights and violent crimes
- Over-intoxication
- DWI
- DWI fatalities
Responsibilities of Security Staff at an event:
- Crowd control/safety
- Managing guest conduct
- ID checking
- Removing or refusing entry to disruptive patrons
- Preventing violence and other crimes
- Preventing patrons from driving impaired
If you are involved in security:
- Be professional
- Work as a team
- Have rules for engagement
Liability Issues to Consider
- Use of force
- Negligent failure to prevent violence or criminal activity
- Failure to prevent DWI
How to avoid liability
- Document everything: any violence or refusal of service/entry. Document time, place, who it was
- Respond properly to problems
- Manage problem guests
How to Manage Problem Guests
- Identify them
- Manage them
- Work as a team
- Control alcohol service
- Have a plan before you do anything
- Issue warnings with clear guidelines
- Removing the problem guest
- Match methods to situations
- Knowledge of legal limitations
- Request them to leave vs. a law enforcement response
- Document
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Violence
- You have no law enforcement powers
- Do not consume alcohol
- Be Nice
- If you are not assigned to working security, do not get involved
- Let the police do their job
- Always be a good witness
- Establish a use of force policy
- De-escalate if at all possible
- Use good communication
- Document
- Use physical self defense only as a last resort
How to contact Law Enforcement
- Why to call?
- Risk management
- Positive reputation for your place/group
- It’s the right thing to do
- When to call
- First sign of trouble
- When all reasonable requests have been ignored
- Threats of violence
- When a crime has been committed or is about to be committed
- Incidents that should cause a call
- Security use of force
- A potential DWI
- Medical emergency
- Guidance should be obtained from a local police agency
- What to expect when you do call
- Call intake procedures: identify yourself, your address, what’s the situation
- Actions you should take prior to or upon police arrival:
- Have all tenants that are present make contact with the police
- Be Cooperative
- Bring identification with you
- Be prepared to shut down the party
- Turn down music immediately
This enhances public safety
- Creates a positive relationship with the police
- Reduces calls for law enforcement
- Reduces violent crime
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