Use-of-Force Limits for Private Security Officers in California

The general legal standard

Private security officers in California operate under the same self-defense and defense-of-others principles found in California's general criminal and civil law, not a distinct 'security force' statute. Force used must be objectively reasonable given the circumstances, proportional to the threat, and the minimum necessary to end the threat or complete a lawful arrest under Penal Code 837. Excessive force can expose the officer and the employing company to criminal charges and civil liability regardless of the underlying justification for intervening.

BSIS-required training for registered security guards, delivered by BSIS-approved trainers, covers this standard as part of the mandated curriculum, but the underlying legal rule comes from case law and statute, not a BSIS-created use-of-force scale. De-escalation — verbal engagement, distance, and calling police — is emphasized precisely because the legal margin for physical force is narrow.

What this does NOT authorize

• It does not authorize force in response to verbal abuse, refusal to show ID, or simple trespass where the person is leaving or complying.
• It does not authorize use of a weapon by an unarmed guard, or use of force techniques beyond what the officer's specific BSIS registration and training cover.
• It does not override company policy, which is typically more restrictive than the legal minimum and should always be followed.
• It is not a substitute for calling police when a situation escalates beyond de-escalation.