FOI release

Door supervisor training: risk assessment and dealing with weapons

Published 18 May 2022

1. Request

1. Does the SIA provide any training during the SIA door supervisor course in relation to weapons awareness/physical intervention when dealing with weapons?
2. What is the SIA’s stance on security officers (DS trained) approaching or responding to incidents involving individuals armed with weapons or knives/edged weapons?
3. Could you confirm how much training (guided learning hours) is provided to security officers on the door supervisor’s course in relation to dynamic risk assessment training?
4. Could you confirm when security officers would have any refresher training in relation to dynamic risk assessments based on the presumption that their security company have not provided any additional internal training on this matter?
5. Do security guards have any right to touch, hold or grab a member of public when not detaining them?
6. What does the SIA constitute as ‘detaining an individual’?

2. Response

I confirm that the SIA holds the information which can be found below.

2.1 Does the SIA provide any training during the SIA door supervisor course in relation to weapons awareness/ physical intervention when dealing with weapons?

The SIA does not provide training for individuals. The SIA does however produce a specification, which forms the basis of awarding organisation’s qualifications. The specification for door supervisors does include some advice on how to deal with emergencies, including where an aggressor may have a weapon. Licence-linked qualifications do not include physical intervention in the case of an armed person. The advice in the course concentrates on clearing the area, using cover and contacting emergency services.

2.2 What is the SIA’s stance on security officers (DS trained) approaching or responding to incidents involving individuals armed with weapons or knives/edged weapons?

The SIA does not have a position, as each response would be different. The licence-linked qualifications give the advice above, but all security operatives are within their rights to act within the law on the use of force.

2.3 Could you confirm how much training (guided learning hours) is provided to security officers on the door supervisor’s course in relation to dynamic risk assessment training?

Dynamic risk assessment is taught as part of conflict management and physical intervention. These elements of the course take three days. The process of dynamic risk assessment will feature throughout these, although it is difficult to establish exactly how many hours will be dedicated to this discretely as it is best delivered in the context of practical skills.

2.4 Could you confirm when security officers would have any refresher training in relation to dynamic risk assessments based on the presumption that their security company have not provided any additional internal training on this matter?

Door Supervisors are required to refresh their training before they can renew a licence. The lifespan of a licence is three years. This is in addition to any employer training that is provided in line with the responsibilities of a venue or employer to provide training that may be required to mitigate identified risks to the employee or public.

2.5 Do security guards have any right to touch, hold or grab a member of public when not detaining them?

The rights and responsibilities of security operatives are the same as any other private citizen. Actions taken must be in line with the law on the use of force and justifiable in law.

2.6 What does the SIA constitute as ‘detaining an individual’?

The SIA does not have a unique definition of ‘detaining’.

[Reference: FOI 0336]