Weapons, Personal Protection Equipment & Use of Force - Essay Example

Weapons, Personal Protection Equipment & Use of Force Safety of a person, and the safety and security of infrastructure is of importance in high profile settings. The safety of a person can be ensured through the use of personal protection equipments like body armor and by the use of weapons like handguns. A person can also be protected by a security personnel by the use of force when there is a chance for personal attack. Similarly, properties can be protected using external and internal security layers to prevent any attack that results in the damage of property. Physical security can be ensured with a proper plan of the building that emphasizes security in the infrastructure and with the use of security systems like alarms and guards. An immediate situation in this case is dealt by using required amount of force. Personal safety can be enhanced through proper planning, foreknowledge and awareness to prevent a person from becoming victim of criminal acts or terrorism. Since security measures are not fool proof individuals are required to be prepared to handle circumstance when there is an attack. Vehicle armor, body armor, gas masks and other protection equipments dramatically increases the chances of surviving a physical attack. The concept of the use of personal protection equipment is in vogue since thousands of years when man began the use of clubs and stones in combat. Armor has evolved during the various ages of human history (Katz & Caspi 2003 p.99). The invention of gunpowder and its use as a propellant has forced man to use armors to protect from such projectiles. Different kinds of armors are used to protest the user from a specific level of threat. Soft body armor is a flexible protection equipment worn by police officers to protect the user from handgun bullets but does not protect a person from high powered rifle. A hard armor is essential to protect a person from rifle shots but it cannot be worn for a longer duration due to its rigidity and weight. Further, hard armor cannot be worn as a covert under clothing. Hence, it is not recommended for executives requiring protective equipment to be used under a suit. A light weight protective vest with a lower protection level with better flexibility and comfort is appropriate for these circumstances (Katz & Caspi 2003 p.100). Soft body armor is available in several brands which can be used under a suit. Zylon shield is a new material that is flexible to develop concealable armor with good protection. Though there are many other materials to make concealable vests, they do not offer equal performance as given by Zylon shield. Woven Zylon is a very light vest but provides protection only against normal handgun rounds (Katz & Caspi 2003 p.101). The personal protection of an individual can be ensured by carrying a weapon. The person should use a weapon which is comfortable to handle. Only few people continue to use the old model five or six shot Magnum revolvers. Nowadays there is a demand for more firepower. Glock .40 is highly preferred for its lightweight and compact features. The pistol can be easily concealed and is accurate in its function. A person should consider many factors while choosing a personal handgun. The weapon should have stopping power and must not penetrate through the human body and hit a second or third person. A pistol used for personal security must be lightweight, accurate, comfortable and easily gripped. Close shoots in crowded areas is point shooting and therefore there is no use of sights. However, the handgun should have tritium night sights. Though it is a light weight gun, it should possess knock down power. A handgun for personal security should be concealed yet readily reachable. A proper fitting holster is essential that fits correctly to the pants or is secure in a belt loop. If these positions are not comfortable, the gun should be placed such a way that the hands can naturally and easily retrieve the gun (June 1999 p.104-105) Physical security is implemented through external and internal barriers. External barriers include the use of walls, fences, buildings, gates and lobbies while internal barrier is implemented through access control systems. Intrusion detection systems and internal controls and technologies like biometrics are used for physical security. Physical security is of significance for assets in a business setting. Risk mitigation and problem elimination requires understanding of security risks and planning, possible threats and vulnerabilities. Risk management has to be divided into various levels based on the amount of risk. Physical control is the first step in physical security and begins with the prevention of unauthorized access, destruction of property or harm. In short, physical security safeguards a plant, property, office, building, facility or contents from harm or loss. Physical security also protects information and people (Fennelly 2004 p.101). Optimum security is ensured for a building in its initial stage by security professionals and architects. In case, the security of an existing building has to be improved, renovation and retrofitting is necessary to suite the new requirements (Fennelly 2004 P.102). Perimeter controls can be done through structural barriers and natural barriers like bodies of water, lake or dense thorny plants and other terrains difficult to travel. Structural barriers are walls, gates and other constructions that restrict access. Fences are common barriers with a range of use, size and effectiveness. Fences can be used as security systems by installing concertina or barbed wire, double fencing with alarm free zones and with alarm systems (Fennelly 2004 p.103). Fences should always be locked. In case it is not locked, the fence has to be monitored with physical inspection or alarm systems. Parking area must be separated from the rest of the facility. Company owned vehicles can avail exception by allowing parking facility close to the infrastructure. Lighting serves many purposes in a business setting. Proper lighting decreases the possibility of injury, theft and discourages intruders. Lighting should be protected to avoid tampering and destruction. Lighting can be programmed to turn off and turn on during specific times with heat, movement and light sensitivity and should be linked to a CCTV or alarm system. These systems should be periodically inspecting to ensure its working condition (Fennelly 2004 p.105). Alarms are used as barriers and to call the attention of guards about a problem undetected by other security systems. Alarms also function as a deterrent and signal the intruder that they are being watched over. Alarms sound against immediate problems to stop an event unlike a fence or other barriers that constantly secure an infrastructure (Fennelly 2004 p.107) Physical security can be ensured in an infrastructure by installing high security doors and locks. Doors should remain locked when it is not being used and passage through doors has to be controlled by guards. Entry can also be restricted using access codes, card readers or cards with electronic access restricting systems. Security systems should comprise of high quality devices, otherwise it will not serve the purpose. Locks and keys are low cost options to ensure safety and keep away strangers (Fennelly 2004 p.108). Similarly containers, rooms and safes should be locked with locks or electronic recognition embedded systems (Fennelly 2004 p.109) Force is used to ensure the fire safety, personnel safety and in times to respond to medical needs and to ensure the safety of homes, streets, parking areas, commercial businesses and work sites. Use of force is a tactic used to disarm, control, restrain, capture or physically manage an uncooperative or aggressive object or person. However, the force used must be reasonable while choosing the weapon and while applying the amount of force. Every use of force has to lead to a lawful and legitimate purpose. Additionally, every use of force should appear to a reasonable and prudent person during identical circumstances as necessary and reasonable. In a court of law, the use of force must measure to the necessary standard and objective reasonableness to manage a problematic situation as less than the use of force for a deliberate action to inflict pain (International Foundation for Protection Officers p.260). Use of force comes under the right of self defense which is applied under the principle of self preservation that in innate or inherent in the right of man. Natural law doctrine defines that the right of self defense authorizes a person to protect his life, property or another person with the use of physical force towards another individual who attempts to inflict injury upon him through the illegal utilization of physical force (Kelsen 2001 p.27). Security personnel are required to use force to safeguard a person for a legitimate reason. Generally force can be used to safeguard oneself or others to prevent a criminal act or to defend property. No more force should be used than the reasonable quantum of force during any circumstances. Therefore, the use of deadly force and a force that creates bodily harm is not allowed unless the force used by the criminal is also deadly or is probable to cause bodily harm. Individuals and security personnel are liable if they use excessive force that range form assault to homicide (Fischer & Green 1998 p.113) Most of the governments have regulations that direct the possession of firearms by private citizens. Further, governments also prohibit the possession of concealed weapons and about half of the governments prohibit the possession of exposed handguns. While police offices are fully exempted from this rule, certain governments allow private security officer to carry firearms. Though the rules of the state prohibit the possession of exposed or concealed weapons, the states has provisions for individuals to procure a license to possess these weapons (Fischer & Green 1998 p.114). It may be concluded that personal and physical security can be ensured through the use of weapons, personal protection equipment and the use of force though there are several rules regulate the use of weapons and force. Reference Fennelly, L.J. 2004 Effective physical security Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann Fischer,R.J. & Green, G. 1998 Introduction to security Missouri: Elsevier International Foundation for Protection Officers 2003 Protection officer training manual Missouri: Elsevier June D.L. 1999 Introduction to executive protection Florida: CRC Press Katz,D.S & Caspi, I.2003 Executive’s Guide to Personal Security New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons Kelsen, H. 2001 Collective security under international law New Jersey: The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. Read More