Use of Force Awareness Course (US) 2026

1. Pergunta 1 de 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?

   • ANothing, since an arm grab is too minor to count
   • BA reward from the client for quick action
   • CA warning letter sent to the person who was held
   • DA civil claim against the guard for battery
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 2 de 25

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

   • AAny force at all that is used by a person in a uniform
   • BForce readily capable of causing death or serious injury
   • CAny force used against a person who is running away from you
   • DAny force that leaves a visible mark or a bruise on the skin
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 3 de 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?

   • AAny force, if police are called first
   • BDeadly force, after one clear spoken warning
   • CNo force of any kind, ever
   • DNon-deadly force, if reasonably needed
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 4 de 25

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

   • AThe same amount you would use on anyone else
   • BNone, because the person is cooperating
   • CA firm grip on both arms in every case
   • DEnough to show the person who is in charge
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   Resposta: B. None, because the person is cooperating

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

5. Pergunta 5 de 25

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

   • ABy what a video recording shows when it is slowed down later
   • BBy looking only at whether the person was hurt afterward or not at all
   • CFrom the view of a reasonable person on the scene, not hindsight
   • DFrom the view of the person who had the force used on them
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 6 de 25

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

   • APeace officers, though it is a useful guide for guards
   • BPrivate security guards only, in every one of the states
   • CStore managers and other retail staff, but not guards
   • DNobody now, since the case is no longer good law
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 7 de 25

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

   • AEnough to make sure the person never comes back again
   • BGreater than the force that the other person is using
   • CApproved in writing by a supervisor before it is used
   • DNo more than needed to overcome the resistance
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 8 de 25

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

   • ASomeone who is walking out of a store with unpaid goods
   • BRude words, insults or threats made over the phone
   • CWhat they reasonably believe is imminent unlawful force
   • DA person who refuses to show an ID card when asked
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 9 de 25

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

   • AThey withdrew, said so clearly, and the other person kept attacking
   • BThey were insulted first, before they threw the first punch
   • CThey called the police for help right after they had started the fight
   • DThey are wearing a uniform and are working on that property
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   Resposta: 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. Pergunta 10 de 25

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

    • AOnly if a police officer is already on the way to help you
    • BNever, because New York has no retreat rule at all
    • COnly when the attacker is younger or smaller than you
    • DWhen you know you can do it with complete personal safety
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 11 de 25

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

    • AOnly when they hold a security officer license from the state
    • BWhen not engaged in crime and in a place they have a right to be
    • COnly when they are inside their own car or truck at the time
    • DOnly when there are two or more witnesses standing nearby to see it
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 12 de 25

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

    • AYes, one federal law sets the same rule for every state
    • BNo; New York requires retreat if safe, Florida does not
    • CYes, every state requires retreat in all cases, always
    • DNo, the rule only differs for police and peace officers
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 13 de 25

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

    • ATo stop any person who runs
    • BTo end a loud argument
    • CTo protect valuable property
    • DTo protect lives
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 14 de 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?

    • ADamaging a fence
    • BBreaking a window
    • CGraffiti
    • DArson
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 15 de 25

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

    • AWhenever a person is damaging a fence, a gate or a window
    • BWhenever someone keeps trespassing after a clear warning
    • COnly to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony
    • DWhenever property worth more than $1,000 is being taken away
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 16 de 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?

    • AThe person refused to give their name
    • BThe person is younger than the guard
    • CThe person is suspected by a store employee
    • DThe person in fact committed the offense
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 17 de 25

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

    • ANo force of any kind in any situation
    • BA reasonable amount of non-deadly force
    • CAny force needed to get the goods back
    • DDeadly force if the goods are expensive
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 18 de 25

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

    • AGet written permission from the client to carry a baton
    • BComplete baton training at a Bureau-approved facility
    • CNothing, since a baton does not count as a weapon there
    • DBuy a baton that is shorter than 12 inches long when closed
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 19 de 25

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

    • AWear a distinctive uniform showing they are a security officer
    • BCarry a second firearm as a backup in case the first one fails
    • CWear plain clothes so that they blend in with the public
    • DKeep the firearm hidden in a bag or under a jacket
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 20 de 25

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

    • ATime, distance, cover and concealment
    • BSpeed, strength, surprise and noise
    • CLights, sirens, radios and cameras
    • DBatons, pepper spray, handcuffs and dogs
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 21 de 25

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

    • AAt least 30 minutes
    • BAt least 4 hours
    • CAt least 2 hours
    • DAt least 8 hours
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    Resposta: C. At least 2 hours

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

22. Pergunta 22 de 25

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

    • ADeath caused by a body position that makes breathing hard
    • BFainting caused by standing still in one place for too long
    • CA panic attack caused by loud noises in a large crowd of people
    • DA breathing problem caused by very cold air during the night
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 23 de 25

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

    • AStanding with the back to a wall
    • BLying on one side with support
    • CSitting upright on a chair or bench
    • DLying face down on the stomach
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 24 de 25

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

    • AGet emergency medical help right away
    • BWait to see if they are only pretending
    • CAsk them to stop talking and stay calm
    • DHold them more tightly until police arrive
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    Resposta: 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. Pergunta 25 de 25

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

    • AOnly a short talk with the guard's supervisor about the event
    • BCriminal charges, and lawsuits against guard and employer
    • CA bonus, since the guard was protecting the client's property
    • DNothing at all, as long as the person was breaking the law
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    Resposta: 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.

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