New Mexico Security Guard Practice Exam 2025 - Free Security Guard License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The legal standard for using force by security personnel centers around the principle of using reasonable and necessary force to prevent harm. This means that security personnel are trained to assess situations carefully and respond in a manner that is proportionate to the threat they perceive. The idea is to ensure safety for all involved—both the security personnel and the individuals they are monitoring—by using the minimum amount of force required to effectively deal with a situation.

In practice, this standard emphasizes the need for security guards to use discretion and judgment, ensuring that their actions are justifiable in the context of the circumstances they face. For example, if a person poses an immediate threat to others, a security guard may reasonably intervene with an appropriate level of force to neutralize that threat, but they must avoid excessive force that could cause unnecessary harm or escalate the situation.

The focus on "reasonable and necessary" also serves to protect security personnel legally; if they act within this framework, they are less likely to face legal repercussions for their actions. In contrast, using unlimited force or excessive force violates the legal and ethical expectations placed upon security professionals and can lead to serious legal consequences, both for the individual and their employing agency. Therefore, understanding and adhering to this standard is crucial in the practice of