Protecting our staff

Security officers, store detectives, Cash-in-Transit operatives and door supervisors are all facing increasing levels of violence in the workplace. Of that there is no doubt. Although [-] in theory, at least [-] those security operatives are better trained than they were, say, five years ago, we must still monitor whether or not the levels of training given to our operatives for licensing purposes are in fact sufficient to keep them as safe as possible while they work on behalf of the contractor and the client.

The new core competency training and qualifications specified for security officers and door supervisors as part of Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing, for example, carries a section on 'Arrest'. During this session, delegates are taught the legalities of how to detain someone for certain crimes until such time as the police can attend the scene and deal with the matter at hand.

Provided those detainees say something along the lines of: "It's a fair cop, Guv'nor" (like my ex-copper Father told me they used to do) then that arrest should run nice and smoothly in accordance with what was taught in the classroom.

In reality, however, arrest incidents can and do turn nasty in a short space of time. When the robber decides that he doesn't fancy being 'arrested' by the security operative, and becomes violent or struggles to escape, what can our people do to protect themselves and 'make that arrest'?

The use of restraints

There has been much debate over the years as to whether security operatives should use handcuffs or the new plastic restraints now when effecting lawful arrests of violent individuals. At present, there is nothing in the law that says security operatives can use handcuffs to restrain people but, conversely, there is nothing to suggest they cannot, either. Provided they are only used when effecting a lawful arrest, on violent detainees and when they are absolutely necessary (in order to prevent escape and/or injury), then it's perfectly legal.

The use of handcuffs is very obviously a 'use of force'. That being the case, it must be properly justified. Justification is achieved through not only establishing the legal right to use such equipment (ie when effecting a lawful arrest), but also through good objective grounds for so doing in order to show that what was done was both reasonable and necessary in the circumstances. After all, the use of restraints by security personnel may well have to be justified to the police, the Courts and (possibly) in civil actions.

Professional training in how to effect an arrest by using plastic restraints will increase levels of safety for operatives, reduce the risk of harm to detainees and members of the public and reduce the risk of criminal allegations

With all of this in mind, we have just launched a one-day Arrest and Plastic Restraint (APR) training programme designed to instruct security staff [-] door supervisors, store detectives, security officers, revenue protection officers, Community/Neighbourhood/Street Wardens, civil enforcement officers, bailiffs, close protection officers, event stewards and both Court and prison escort operatives [-] how to use plastic restraints effectively, safely and within the strict rule of law.

Certified by Skills for Security, the ten-hour course satisfies current Health and Safety at Work Act requirements that all employers must provide suitable training and equipment that will protect their staff. If a store detective, for example, is seriously hurt when trying to apprehend a thief, questions could well be asked as to whether there was any suitable equipment available to assist in the arrest (and whether or not such equipment had been issued to that member of staff).

Stefan Hay, director of strategic development at Skills for Security, commented: "We believe that the increased violence and weapons-related incidents that security personnel are now exposed to means the use of restraints can be argued from a Health & Safety perspective. In other words, in higher risk sub-sectors such as the store detection and retail security arenas where arrest is foreseeable, and conflict is likely, these restraints are necessary equipment. We have worked very closely with Andy Walker and FEDS Training to ensure the quality assurance and accreditation of this programme are beyond reproach, and that people are trained to only use the restraints within the boundaries of the law. It's vital that each application is justified in terms of lawful arrest and use of force."

Benefits of APR training

Professional training in how to effect an arrest by using plastic restraints will increase levels of safety for operatives, reduce the risk of harm to detainees and members of the public, reduce the risk of criminal allegations and civil claims against operatives, increase public confidence and bolster security effectiveness.

During the programme, delegates are continually assessed on both the knowledge required to act within the law (by way of a multiple choice examination paper) and on the safe application of plastic, lockable restraints. Following successful completion, delegates are then issued with their own set of plastic restraints, keys and belt holder. They also receive a year's APR Protection Policy. This covers them (and their dependents) for anything up to £25,000 when pursuing a claim for damages in respect of their own injury (or death) while effecting a lawful arrest, and up to £50,000 for legal defence(s) against civil or criminal prosecution.

This new programme is the first and only nationally-accredited training in the use of restraints for private sector security personnel. There are a few training providers promoting 'handcuffing' courses, but they make use of the police-style metal handcuffs, lead to no formal accreditation [-] other than their own company certificate [-] and offer no insurance for those attending the course.

If a store detective is seriously hurt when trying to apprehend a thief, questions could well be asked as to whether there was any suitable equipment available to assist in the arrest

The FEDS Training course includes instruction on the history of restraints, the types of modern restraint available (and their use within the security industry), new Powers of Arrest as outlined under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 ('Maltby claims "victory" over Powers of Arrest', SMT, News Update, May 2006, p13), the Conflict Resolution Model, the basic risks involved and practical applications.

Based on classes of ten or more delegates, and using your appointed training facility, this new one-day programme costs £160 (including VAT) per delegate. This is the all-in price, which includes the course pre-read, the training, the equipment, the assessment, the certification and 12 months of insurance cover.

New form of restraint

The FEDS Training programme employs a new style of plastic restraint deployed by police in the United States. The key used to unlock the restraints is the same standard key that police officers here would employ for their standard-issue handcuffs.

In effect, this means that if a store detective or security officer has to use the APR restraints on a violent detainee, then when the police arrive they no longer have to go through the process of releasing the prisoner from the security operative's restraints such that they can put their own on the detainee. Now, it's simply a case of taking the prisoner away, safe in the knowledge that they can release him or her from the restraints themselves [-] using their own keys [-] at the local police station.

It is hoped that, in the future, this new piece of equipment, supported by accredited training and insurance, will become the norm within the UK's private security industry [-] and, therefore, dramatically increasing levels of safety for those that work within it on the front line.