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SOUTHERN PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP

SUBCONTRACTOR & CONTRACTOR POLICY MANUAL

Expanded Legal Authority, Public Safety Duties & Use-of-Force Standards

(Georgia-Compliant | Private Sector |

1. DESIGNATION AS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS (PRIVATE SECTOR)

All subcontractors and contractors operating under Southern Public Safety Group are designated Private-Sector Public Safety Officers for purposes of contractual duty, training expectations, and liability standards.

1.1 Definition

A Public Safety Officer (Private Sector) is a trained security professional whose role includes:

Crime deterrence and suppression

Life safety and emergency response

Protection of persons on client property

Incident stabilization until public emergency services arrive

This designation does not confer sworn law-enforcement authority, arrest powers beyond those permitted to private persons, or governmental status.

2. DUTY TO RENDER AID (ON CLIENT PROPERTY)

2.1 General Duty

While on duty and on client-controlled property, all SPSG Public Safety Officers shall render reasonable aid when:

A person is injured

A medical emergency is apparent

A use-of-force incident occurs

A subject is exposed to OC spray, TASER/CED, or physical force

Aid must be rendered within the scope of the officer’s training, without exceeding certification or skill level.

2.2 Scope of Medical Aid

Officers may provide:

Basic first aid

Bleeding control

CPR / AED (if certified)

Naloxone (Narcan), if trained and issued

Decontamination guidance after OC exposure

Continuous monitoring of subjects after force

🚫 Officers shall not perform advanced medical procedures outside training.

2.3 Georgia Legal Basis – Duty to Act

While Georgia does not impose a universal “Good Samaritan duty,” private security professionals assume a duty of care once:

They initiate contact

They exercise control or restraint

They use force

They contractually assume safety responsibilities

Failure to render aid after creating or controlling a situation may expose the officer and company to negligence and wrongful death claims.

Relevant Georgia Case Law (Duty & Care)

City of Rome v. Jordan, 263 Ga. 26 (1993)
→ Once control is exercised, a duty of reasonable care attaches.

Westmoreland v. Brown, 883 F.2d 1554 (11th Cir. 1989)
→ Failure to provide aid after force or restraint may constitute deliberate indifference.

Glass v. City of Atlanta, 247 Ga. App. 501 (2001)
→ Use of force creates an obligation to monitor and respond to medical distress.

These principles apply equally to private security acting in a public safety role.

3. GEORGIA USE-OF-FORCE LEGAL FRAMEWORK (PRIVATE PERSONS)

3.1 Governing Statutes

O.C.G.A. § 16-3-21 – Self-Defense

A person is justified in using force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against the imminent use of unlawful force.

O.C.G.A. § 16-3-23 – Defense of Habitation / Property

Use of force may be justified to prevent violent entry or felony conduct—but deadly force is heavily restricted.

O.C.G.A. § 16-3-24 – Use of Force in Making a Citizen’s Arrest

Private persons may use reasonable force to detain someone committing an offense in their presence, but deadly force is almost never justified.

3.2 Private Security Standard

Because SPSG personnel operate professionally and under contract, courts will hold them to a higher standard than ordinary civilians.

Force must be:

Objectively reasonable

Proportional

Necessary

Immediately defensible in court

4. TASER / CONDUCTED ENERGY DEVICE (CED) POLICY

4.1 Authorization

Only officers who are:

Documented as trained

Certified by an approved provider

Expressly authorized by SPSG

may carry or deploy a TASER/CED.

4.2 Authorized Use

A TASER/CED may be used only when:

A subject is actively assaultive

A subject poses an immediate threat of bodily harm

Lesser force options have failed or are unsafe

The deployment is defensive, not punitive

4.3 Prohibited Use

TASER/CEDs shall not be used:

On passive resistance only

As punishment or compliance tool

On handcuffed or restrained subjects

On visibly pregnant persons

On elderly or medically fragile persons unless deadly threat exists

On persons in elevated positions (fall risk)

4.4 Post-Deployment Requirements

After any TASER/CED use:

Immediately render medical aid

Monitor breathing and consciousness

Remove probes if trained or secure EMS

Document incident in full

Preserve device data

5. OC SPRAY (OLEORESIN CAPSICUM) POLICY

5.1 Authorized Use

OC spray may be used when:

A subject is actively aggressive

There is risk of assault

Distance is needed to disengage safely

Physical force would increase injury risk

5.2 Prohibited Use

OC spray shall not be used:

On compliant individuals

In confined spaces without ventilation unless unavoidable

As crowd punishment

On restrained individuals

5.3 Decontamination & Aid

Officers must:

Provide verbal decontamination instructions

Offer water and airflow

Monitor for respiratory distress

Summon EMS if distress persists

Failure to provide decontamination is a major liability exposure.

6. HAND-ON FORCE & CONTROL TECHNIQUES

6.1 Permitted

Defensive blocking

Escort holds

Balance displacement

Ground stabilization (no neck pressure)

6.2 Prohibited

Chokeholds or neck restraints

Pressure on airway or spine

Knee-on-neck

Strikes to head unless deadly force justified

7. DEADLY FORCE (EXTREMELY LIMITED)

Deadly force is justified only when:

The officer reasonably believes there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury

No lesser option exists

The threat is immediate and unavoidable

Deadly force will always trigger:

Immediate suspension

Independent investigation

Legal review

Insurer notification

8. FAILURE TO RENDER AID – DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

Failure to render aid when required may result in:

Immediate termination

Contract cancellation

Personal civil liability

Loss of indemnification

Referral to licensing authorities

9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DUTY

All contractors must acknowledge that:

They are functioning as Public Safety Officers

They have a duty to render aid on client property

They understand Georgia use-of-force law

They accept personal responsibility for violations

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that I am designated as a Private-Sector Public Safety Officer while working under Southern Public Safety Group and agree to comply with all use-of-force, medical aid, and professionalism policies.