SIA Door Physical Intervention — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under UK law, when is a door supervisor legally justified in using physical intervention?
- Whenever a customer is rude
- When it is necessary to prevent crime, in self-defence, or to prevent injury, and all other options have been exhausted (Correct answer)
- Whenever the venue manager instructs them to
- When the customer refuses to buy a drink
Correct answer: When it is necessary to prevent crime, in self-defence, or to prevent injury, and all other options have been exhausted
Physical intervention is only justified when necessary to prevent crime (Criminal Law Act 1967 S.3), in self-defence or defence of others (common law), or to prevent injury, and only when de-escalation has failed.
Question 2: What does 'minimum use of force' mean?
- Never using any force at all
- Using only the level of force that is necessary to achieve the lawful objective, and no more (Correct answer)
- Using the least painful technique
- Using force only on the smallest person
Correct answer: Using only the level of force that is necessary to achieve the lawful objective, and no more
Minimum use of force means applying only enough force to achieve the lawful objective (e.g., removing someone from premises, preventing an assault). Any force beyond what is necessary becomes unlawful.
Question 3: What is 'positional asphyxia' and why must door supervisors be aware of it?
- A type of martial arts hold
- A condition where a person's body position prevents them from breathing adequately, which can be fatal (Correct answer)
- A breathing exercise for stress relief
- A technique for restraining aggressive individuals
Correct answer: A condition where a person's body position prevents them from breathing adequately, which can be fatal
Positional asphyxia occurs when a person's body position restricts their ability to breathe. Restraining someone face-down, applying pressure to the chest or back, or restricting the diaphragm can be fatal.
Question 4: What factors affect how much force is considered 'reasonable'?
- Only the size of the person being restrained
- The nature of the threat, available options, the person's vulnerability, and the environment (Correct answer)
- Only the door supervisor's training level
- Only whether CCTV is recording
Correct answer: The nature of the threat, available options, the person's vulnerability, and the environment
Reasonableness considers: the severity of the threat, whether lesser options were available, the vulnerability of the person (age, size, intoxication, disability), the environment, and the risk to others.
Question 5: After physically restraining someone, what is the door supervisor's duty of care?
- No further responsibility once restrained
- To continually monitor the person's breathing, consciousness, and wellbeing until they are released or handed to police/paramedics (Correct answer)
- To leave them restrained until the police arrive regardless of time
- To only check on them every 30 minutes
Correct answer: To continually monitor the person's breathing, consciousness, and wellbeing until they are released or handed to police/paramedics
The door supervisor has a continuing duty of care: monitor breathing and consciousness, do not restrict breathing, check for injuries, ensure they are not left in a dangerous position, and hand over to emergency services as soon as possible.
Question 6: What should a door supervisor do if they witness a colleague using excessive force?
- Join in to help their colleague
- Intervene to stop the excessive force, report it to management, and document the incident (Correct answer)
- Ignore it — it's not their responsibility
- Only report it if asked about it later
Correct answer: Intervene to stop the excessive force, report it to management, and document the incident
The door supervisor has a legal and professional duty to intervene if a colleague is using excessive force, report it to management, and document what happened. Failing to intervene could make them complicit.
SIA Door Physical Intervention
Under UK law, when is a door supervisor legally justified in using physical intervention?