The Security Industry Authority (SIA) believes that it is important for people working as security operatives to have necessary training and skills in physical intervention and conflict resolution. As such, the SIA has laid out certain guidelines in techniques that could specifically be used for the purpose of non-aggressive intervention and personal safety.

An SIA statement on security personnel states, “As the scope, diversity and importance of their work continues to grow, so the degree of professionalism expected from security personnel will increase.”

In order to cut down on risks of security personnel harming others or themselves while performing their roles, they need to undergo a Physical Intervention Skills course through an SIA endorsed awarding organisation. This course module specified by the SIA provides a basic set of skills required by security personnel and in case of any specific risks identified by the employers, additional training may be needed.

Importance of physical intervention and conflict management

The SIA licence training programme includes:

  • Introduction to Physical Skills
  • Disengagement Techniques
  • Escorting Techniques

With this, the security personnel are able to learn and understand:

  1. The legal and professional implications of use of physical intervention
  2. Substantially reduce risks of harming someone when physically intervening
  3. What to do after a physical intervention
  4. The use of non-aggressive physical intervention skills to protect them and others from assault.
  5. The use of non-pain related standing, holding and escorting techniques that include restrictive and non-restrictive skills.

Sometimes knowing when to act is more important, especially when the job involves securing high profile assets. Clients don’t want the security to come on as too strong or rude unless it is absolutely necessary. Many night clubs are looked at unfavourably because of their unfriendly security staff.

Non-aggressive physical intervention skills are necessary for any security officer working as a door man or a private escort. They need to follow professional etiquettes even when physically intervening and communicate effectively with the subject of physical intervention.

Security Guards should be well versed in proper methods of physically prompting and escorting someone and without inflicting any pain. They should also know how to provide effective support to a colleague when physically intervening and how to disengage and de-escalate a physical intervention safely for all parties involved.

Below is a video of candidates undergoing door supervision training:

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