Rules for
the Use of
Force
in Military Law
Enforcement
and
Security Duties
1
INTRODUCTION
• Scope of Duties
– Law Enforcement on Military Installations &
Over U.S. Military Personnel
– Security on Military Installations &
for Defense Personnel and Property
• Mindset
– Combat: Enemy Declared Hostile
– Law Enforcement/Security:
Limited Force
2
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
• National Law
• Secretary of Defense
Directive
• Chairman Joint Chiefs of
Staff Instruction
• Military Service Regulation
or Instruction
3
GENERAL GUIDANCE ON
ARMING PERSONNEL
• Regular Law Enforcement/Security
Personnel Shall Be Armed
– occasional personnel may be armed
• Limited Authority to Authorize Arming
• Disqualifying Criteria
4
GUIDANCE ON ARMING
PERSONNEL
• Required Annual
Training & Testing
• Required Safety
Locking Device at
Home
• No Alcohol or
Prescription Drug
Use
5
GUIDANCE ON USE OF FORCE
• Carry Out Duties Without Force If
Possible
• Only Use Minimum Force Necessary
• Consider Force Options
–
–
–
–
verbal persuasion
unarmed defense techniques
chemical aerosol irritant
military police club
6
GUIDANCE ON USE OF FORCE
• Consider Force Options (continued)
– military working dog
– presentation of deadly force capability
– deadly force
• Warning Shots Prohibited
• When Possible Verbally Warn
• Remove Gun From Holster Only If
Use Is Reasonably Expected
7
GUIDANCE ON USE OF
DEADLY FORCE
• Shoot to Stop
• Shoot Only With Due Regard For
Innocent Bystanders
• Use Deadly Force Only When:
– lesser means won’t work
– risk to innocent not significantly increased
– reasonably necessary to accomplish 1 of 7
purposes
8
DEADLY FORCE ONLY TO:
• Protect Against Imminent Threat of Death
or Serious Bodily Harm
• Prevent Serious Offense Involving Death
or Serious Bodily Harm
• Prevent Theft or Sabotage of Asset Vital
to National Security
• Prevent Theft or Sabotage of Property
Creating Imminent Threat
9
DEADLY FORCE ONLY TO:
• Prevent Sabotage of National Critical
Infrastructure
• Arrest Person Who Committed Offense
Involving Imminent Threat
• Prevent Escape of Prisoner Who Has
Committed Serious Offense Involving
Imminent Threat
10
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