Armed Guard / CIT cheat sheet

Force must be objectively reasonable: judged by what a reasonable guard knew at the moment, not by hindsight outcomes.

Deadly force is generally justified only to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to self or others.

Escalation is not mandatory: a guard may use reasonable force immediately if the threat is already at that level.

Private guards act under citizen's-arrest and defense-of-person/property statutes, not police authority; powers vary by state.

Defense of property alone rarely justifies deadly force; most jurisdictions limit deadly force to protecting human life.

A citizen's arrest requires an actual felony or breach of peace in the guard's presence (state law varies); the guard must then deliver the person to police promptly.

Duty to retreat: many states impose no retreat duty in one's own home or workplace, but rules differ for public spaces.

Force must stop when the threat ends; continuing force after the subject is controlled converts lawful defense into assault.

Detention must be based on articulable facts; mere suspicion or appearance is insufficient for a lawful stop.

Treat every firearm as loaded until you have personally verified it is unloaded, chamber included.

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times; the muzzle is the primary safety.

Keep the finger off the trigger and indexed along the frame until the sights are on target and the decision to fire is made.

Be sure of the target and what is beyond it; bullets can pass through and strike unintended persons.

Unload and clear a firearm before cleaning, storing, or handing it to another person; verify visually and physically.

Store firearms secured and separated from ammunition when not carried; never leave a weapon unattended.

A holster must fully cover the trigger guard and retain the weapon during movement and struggle.

Ammunition must match the firearm's chambering exactly; never fire mixed or unknown-reload ammunition.

Immediately report any unintentional discharge, loss, or theft to the supervisor and police.

Observe–Assess–Decide–Act: gather information before committing to a response, then reassess continuously.

Establish a command presence: identify yourself, give clear verbal directions, and control the scene perimeter.

Contain and control before confronting: isolate the threat and protect bystanders rather than pursuing alone.

Call for police and backup early; an armed guard's role is to protect life and preserve the scene until police arrive.

Use cover over concealment: cover stops bullets, concealment only hides you.

After any use of force, secure the scene, render aid if safe, and preserve evidence until relieved by police.

Do not chase suspects off-post; pursuit removes protection from the site and increases legal and physical risk.

Document the timeline of events as soon as practical while memory is fresh, noting times and witnesses.

Accept only unexpired, government-issued photo ID; check expiration date, photo match, and physical security features.

Common primary IDs: state driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, permanent resident card, and employment authorization document.

Verify identity by comparing the photo to the person and the name/date of birth to the presented document.

For foreign nationals, verify work authorization documents (e.g., I-9 supporting documents) against the person and expiration.

Check document security features: holograms, microprinting, UV features, and consistent fonts and alignment.

Note that only certain federal agencies can verify immigration status; private guards should not make legal status determinations beyond document verification.

Record the document type, number, issuing authority, and expiration when logging identity for access control.

Report suspected fraudulent documents to the supervisor and law enforcement; do not confiscate unless policy and law permit.

A complete report answers who, what, when, where, why, and how, in chronological order.

Write facts, not conclusions: record observable actions and direct quotes rather than opinions or labels.

Record exact times, locations, names, and badge/ID numbers of everyone involved, including witnesses.

Use clear, objective language; avoid slang, jargon, and speculation.

Preserve evidence in place, photograph it before moving, and maintain a chain-of-custody log with each transfer.

Do not alter, clean, or handle evidence more than necessary; use gloves and evidence bags per policy.

Correct errors with a single line-through and initials; never erase or use correction fluid on a report or log.

Submit reports promptly and retain copies per policy; reports may be discoverable in court.

De-escalation sequence: calm tone, active listening, empathy statement, clear options, then time and space.

Use the person's name, keep a non-threatening stance, and maintain safe distance and an exit route.

Active listening: paraphrase the person's concern and confirm understanding before responding.

Offer choices within policy to restore a sense of control; avoid ultimatums that provoke resistance.

Speak slowly and quietly; lowering volume often lowers the other person's volume.

Avoid arguing, threatening, or touching a person unless necessary for safety; physical contact escalates.

When de-escalation fails, disengage to a safe position, call for backup, and continue verbal containment.

Document the de-escalation attempts and statements made in the incident report.

Life-threatening bleeding: apply direct pressure, then a tourniquet high and tight on the limb if bleeding is uncontrolled.

Adult CPR: compressions at 100–120 per minute, depth about 2 inches, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Choking adult: encourage coughing; if ineffective, give abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) until the object clears or the person goes unresponsive.

Fire response: activate the alarm, call for help, evacuate, and never re-enter a burning structure.

Personal safety: maintain situational awareness, know exits, and avoid isolated areas; report suspicious activity.

For medical emergencies, call 911 early, provide the address and nature of the emergency, and stay on the line.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, or structural collapse).

After an incident, conduct a brief scene safety check and account for personnel before resuming duties.