If you’ve never considered the safety risks of a professional security officer, placing them in a sporting venue where they are significantly outnumbered is an excellent research lab. Because of the sheer quantity of people, the passion for their teams and the possibility of alcohol consumption, sports leagues, such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), recommend one security officer for every 250 visitors in a venue, while some high schools recommend one officer for every 50 students. Assigning the proper number of security personnel is a delicate balance of operational efficiency, cost and visitor safety, which makes proper equipment for the job an essential consideration.
There are a number of sensible options available for security officers to achieve “enhanced presence” with non-lethal tools. The tools should be appropriate for the officer’s role and improve the ability to perform their duties. Consider this: If your officers carry handcuffs, what other tools do they have to control an individual while attempting to cuff that person? If your answer is “nothing,” keep reading.