1. Rules for the Use of Force in Military Law Enforcement and Security Duties
Defense Institute of International Legal Studies
Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program

2. Introduction: Module Objectives
Guidance on
Arming
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
Participants will be able to describe when security personnel may be armed under U.S. rules
Participants will be able to describe when security personnel may use force under U.S. rules
Participants will be able to describe when security personnel may use
deadly force under
U.S. rules 2

3. Introduction
Guidance on
Arming
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
I. Introduction
Scope
Law enforcement on military installations and over U.S. military personnel
Security on military installations and for defense personnel and property 2

4. I. Introduction Mindset Combat: enemy declared hostile
Guidance on
Arming
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
I. Introduction
Mindset
Combat: enemy declared hostile
Law enforcement/security: limited force 2

5. I. Legal Framework National Law Secretary of Defense Directive
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
National Law
Secretary of Defense Directive
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction
Military Service Regulation or Instruction 2

6. II. General Guidance on Arming Personnel
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
Regular Law Enforcement/Security Personnel shall be Armed
occasional personnel may be armed
Limited authority to authorize arming
Disqualifying criteria 3

7. II. General Guidance on Arming Personnel
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
Required annual training and testing
Required safety locking device at home
No alcohol or prescription drug use 3

8. III. General Guidance on Use of Force
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly 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 4

9. III. General Guidance on Use of Force
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
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 4

10. Guidance on Deadly Force Shoot to stop
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
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 5

11. IV. Guidance on Deadly Force (continued)
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
…a person poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm either to law enforcement and security personnel or to other persons in the vicinity;
…to prevent the commission of a serious offense involving an imminent threat of death or serious bodily
harm; 6

12. IV. Guidance on Deadly Force (continued)
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
…to prevent theft or sabotage of an asset vital to national security;
…to prevent the theft or sabotage of property that, in the hands of an unauthorized person, would create an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm; 8

13. IV. Guidance on Deadly Force (continued)
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
…to prevent the theft or sabotage of national critical infrastructure;
…to arrest or apprehend a person who, there is probable cause to believe, has committed a serious offense involving an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm; 10

14. IV. Guidance on Deadly Force (continued)
Introduction
Guidance on
Arming Personnel
III. Guidance on
Use of Force
IV. Guidance on
Deadly Force
…to prevent the escape of a prisoner who there is probable cause to believe has committed or attempted to commit a serious offense involving an imminent threat of death or serious
bodily harm. 12

15. Rules for the Use of Force in Military Law Enforcement and Security Duties
Defense Institute of International Legal Studies
Regional Defense Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program