Use of Force Awareness Course (US) 2026

This course is for security officers in the United States who want to understand what the law says about force. It covers reasonable force, self-defense, protecting property, weapons permits, de-escalation and care after force, with examples from California, New York, Florida and Texas. It is awareness only: it teaches no physical techniques and does not replace the use-of-force training or weapons permits your state requires.

  • Corso
  • Stati Uniti
  • 25 domande
  • Verificato: 13 ottobre 2026

In breve

Questo corso gratuito ha circa 30 minuti di lezioni e un test di 25 domande. Con l’80% o più puoi scaricare un attestato di completamento (privato, non accreditato). Verificato sulle fonti ufficiali in data 13 ottobre 2026.

Inizia dalle lezioniUse of Force Awareness Course (US): Lessons: circa 30 minuti di lettura. Ogni domanda del test è trattata nelle lezioni.

Cosa imparerai

  • Explain why force must be reasonable and in proportion to the threat
  • Describe how courts judge force from the view of a person at the scene
  • Compare self-defense and duty-to-retreat rules in New York and Florida
  • State the narrow limits on deadly force to protect property
  • Name the permits needed to carry a firearm or baton in example states
  • Respond safely after force, including the risk of positional asphyxia

Ottieni almeno l’80% per scaricare il tuo attestato.

  1. Domanda 1 di 25

    California's guard manual gives an example of a guard who grabs a person's arm during a detention that was not justified. What could follow?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. A civil claim against the guard for battery

    The BSIS manual uses this example to show that touching someone during an unjustified detention can lead to a battery claim.

  2. Domanda 2 di 25

    New York Penal Law 10.00 defines "deadly physical force." Which description matches it?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. Force readily capable of causing death or serious injury

    PL 10.00(11) defines deadly physical force as force that, in the way it is used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury.

  3. Domanda 3 di 25

    Under Florida Statutes 776.031, what force may a person use to stop a trespass on land (not a home) that is lawfully in their possession?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. Non-deadly force, if reasonably needed

    Section 776.031(1) allows force other than deadly force when a person reasonably believes it is needed to stop a trespass. Deadly force is allowed only to prevent a forcible felony.

  4. Domanda 4 di 25

    A person you have lawfully arrested submits willingly and follows your directions. How much force is needed?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. None, because the person is cooperating

    The BSIS manual says that if a subject submits willingly, no force is necessary.

  5. Domanda 5 di 25

    Under the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor, how is the reasonableness of force judged?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: C. From the view of a reasonable person on the scene, not hindsight

    The BSIS manual explains that under Graham v. Connor force is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person on the scene, rather than with hindsight.

  6. Domanda 6 di 25

    Graham v. Connor is an important force case. Whom does it directly govern?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. Peace officers, though it is a useful guide for guards

    The BSIS manual notes that Graham v. Connor directly governs peace officers, but it offers a useful framework for thinking about force by guards.

  7. Domanda 7 di 25

    California's guard manual says any force a guard uses must be what?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. No more than needed to overcome the resistance

    The BSIS manual says reasonable force is not excessive, and the only force allowed is what is reasonable and necessary to overcome the resistance.

  8. Domanda 8 di 25

    Under New York Penal Law 35.15, a person may use physical force to defend against what?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: C. What they reasonably believe is imminent unlawful force

    PL 35.15 allows physical force to the extent a person reasonably believes it is needed to defend against the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force.

  9. Domanda 9 di 25

    Under New York Penal Law 35.15, the person who started a fight can still claim self-defense in which case?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. They withdrew, said so clearly, and the other person kept attacking

    PL 35.15 says an initial aggressor may be justified only if they withdrew, clearly communicated it, and the other person continued to use unlawful force.

  10. Domanda 10 di 25

    In New York, before using deadly force in self-defense outside your home, when must you retreat?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. When you know you can do it with complete personal safety

    PL 35.15(2)(a) says you may not use deadly force if you know you can avoid it with complete personal safety by retreating, with an exception in your own dwelling.

  11. Domanda 11 di 25

    Under Florida Statutes 776.012, when does a person using deadly force in self-defense have no duty to retreat?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. When not engaged in crime and in a place they have a right to be

    Section 776.012(2) gives a right to stand one's ground when the person is not engaged in criminal activity and is in a place where they have a right to be.

  12. Domanda 12 di 25

    Do all US states use the same rule on retreating before using deadly force?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. No; New York requires retreat if safe, Florida does not

    Self-defense rules are state law. New York PL 35.15 has a duty to retreat when it is completely safe, while Florida 776.012 has no duty to retreat.

  13. Domanda 13 di 25

    California's guard manual says deadly force is allowed for what purpose only?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. To protect lives

    The BSIS manual states that by law deadly force is allowed only to protect lives. Shooting someone to protect property is an example of excessive force.

  14. Domanda 14 di 25

    Under New York Penal Law 35.20(1), which crime that damages premises is the only one that deadly force may be used to stop?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. Arson

    PL 35.20(1) allows non-deadly force to stop a crime that damages premises, but deadly force only to prevent or stop arson. A separate rule covers burglary of a dwelling or occupied building.

  15. Domanda 15 di 25

    Under Florida Statutes 776.031, when may deadly force be used to defend property?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: C. Only to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony

    Section 776.031(2) allows deadly force in defense of property only when a person reasonably believes it is needed to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

  16. Domanda 16 di 25

    Under New York Penal Law 35.30(4), a private person making an arrest may use non-deadly force only if what is true?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. The person in fact committed the offense

    PL 35.30(4) requires that the person in fact committed the offense. A reasonable belief alone is not enough.

  17. Domanda 17 di 25

    Under California's merchant's privilege, what force may be used to detain a suspected shoplifter?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. A reasonable amount of non-deadly force

    As the BSIS manual explains PC 490.5(f), a merchant or agent may use a reasonable amount of non-deadly force to detain or to prevent escape or loss of property.

  18. Domanda 18 di 25

    A registered California guard wants to carry a baton on duty. What must they do first?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. Complete baton training at a Bureau-approved facility

    The BSIS fact sheet says anyone carrying a baton on duty must be a registered guard and complete baton training from a Bureau-approved facility.

  19. Domanda 19 di 25

    In Texas, a commissioned security officer carrying a firearm on duty must also do what?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. Wear a distinctive uniform showing they are a security officer

    Texas Occupations Code 1702.169 requires a commissioned officer carrying a firearm to wear a distinctive security officer uniform, with the firearm in plain view.

  20. Domanda 20 di 25

    California's required use-of-force training must teach de-escalation methods that use which four things?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. Time, distance, cover and concealment

    California law, quoted in the BSIS manual, requires training in tactical methods that use time, distance, cover and concealment to de-escalate.

  21. Domanda 21 di 25

    How much of a California guard's 8 hours of yearly training must review appropriate use of force?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: C. At least 2 hours

    BSIS requires 8 hours of training each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force.

  22. Domanda 22 di 25

    A federal National Institute of Justice bulletin describes "positional asphyxia." What is it?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. Death caused by a body position that makes breathing hard

    The NIJ bulletin defines positional asphyxia as death resulting from a body position that interferes with the ability to breathe.

  23. Domanda 23 di 25

    According to the NIJ bulletin, which position adds to the risk of positional asphyxia after a struggle?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: D. Lying face down on the stomach

    The NIJ bulletin warns that a stomach-down position makes breathing harder and advises moving a restrained person off their stomach right away.

  24. Domanda 24 di 25

    A person who was held after a struggle says they cannot breathe. What does the NIJ bulletin say to do?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: A. Get emergency medical help right away

    The NIJ bulletin says to monitor the person and get emergency medical help immediately if breathing problems or loss of consciousness appear.

  25. Domanda 25 di 25

    A guard uses more force than the situation needed. According to California's guard manual, what can follow?
    Mostra la risposta

    Risposta: B. Criminal charges, and lawsuits against guard and employer

    The BSIS manual lists excessive force as a source of criminal liability, and says guards and their employers can be sued for wrongful acts.

Cosa sapere prima del test

  • California's official guard manual says deadly force is allowed only to protect lives, never just to protect property.
  • California guards must complete 8 hours of training each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force.
  • New York requires retreat before using deadly force when it can be done with complete personal safety, except in your own home.
  • Florida has no duty to retreat for a person who is not engaged in criminal activity and is in a place they have a right to be.
  • Holding a person face down after a struggle raises the risk of positional asphyxia, a federal NIJ bulletin warns.

Domande frequenti

How much force can a security guard use?

Only force that is reasonable and in proportion to the threat, and none when a person cooperates. The exact rules come from state law, so they differ from state to state.

Can a guard use force to protect store property?

The limits are strict. California's guard manual says deadly force is allowed only to protect lives, and New York allows deadly force to protect premises only in narrow cases, such as stopping arson, never for trespass alone.

Does this course let me carry a baton, pepper spray or a firearm?

No. Weapons on duty need state approval and hands-on training. In California, for example, BSIS issues firearms permits and requires baton training from a Bureau-approved facility. This course is background knowledge only.

What is positional asphyxia?

It is death caused by a body position that makes breathing hard, such as being held face down after a struggle. If a person says they cannot breathe, get emergency medical help at once.

L’attestato è accreditato o riconosciuto ufficialmente?

No. È un attestato di completamento privato, solo per le tue conoscenze. Non è riconosciuto, accreditato né approvato da alcun governo, ente di rilascio delle licenze, autorità di regolamentazione o istituto di istruzione e non sostituisce alcuna licenza, certificazione o formazione richiesta dalla legge.

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