BREAKING UP FIGHTS AND USE OF FORCE
NLU recognizes and respects the value and integrity of each individual’s physical safety. Never ignore aggression. If ignored, small acts of aggression can quickly grow to more violent aggression. Report any aggression through the University’s web site at: https://www.nl.edu/legalpages/letusknow/ Occasionally, arguments between students and others can escalate and erupt into physical violence. It is important that University personnel know basic techniques for interrupting fights and dealing with students who are physically aggressive. In some cases, physical intervention and use of force may be warranted by the responder. However, some tactics should be used as a last resort that are only permitted by the NLU Public Safety Office and anyone else trained in these areas. The following techniques be attempted to diffuse a situation where physical violence is imminent: Call for help immediately: • When responding to a scene/incident, the NLU Public Safety Office employee or respondent should always be ready to call for help if necessary. If there is the threat of injury, weapon or credible risk of escalation, Dial 911 immediately. Make your presence known (if safe): • Go toward the location of the incident. Make your presence known by announcing yourself (for example, “Campus Security!”) and use clear, calm commands (e.g. “Stop. Separate. Step Back.”) Create space and reduce escalation: • Tell any onlookers to leave the area. Call the students by name if you know them. • Avoid arguing, taunting or lecturing involved parties during the incident. Assess for weapons: • Quickly assess the situation. Try to determine what has happened, who are the involved parties and what is the level of violence or potential violence. Call for additional help if necessary. • Look to see if there are any weapons present. If so, utilize the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol . • In a strong voice, tell the subjects that they must stop doing what they are doing. Sometimes students/individuals are hoping an adult will tell them to stop fighting so they will have a “graceful” way out. • Make a mental note of any onlookers. All witnesses must be listed in the incident report. Diffusing the situation: • If the physical violence persists, tell the students/individuals to stop. Sometimes just directing the students to stop fighting – in a loud, demanding voice – is enough to make them stop. In this regard, provide continuous commands to “Stop Fighting.” Good verbal direction and commands play a crucial role in defusing volatile situations. Do not chase: • Do not pursue individuals off property or into unsafe areas. Preserve safety and information. Report incident: • After the diffusion of the situation, an incident report must be filed documenting all relevant details of the incident, involved parties, witnesses and actions taken by the NLU Public Safety Office. • If there was physical violence, student(s) who were directly involved in the incident MUST be instructed that they are not to return to campus until they have scheduled a meeting with the Office of Student Experience to discuss the student conduct policy. The responding authority is to instruct the students of this expectation during removal from campus.
Parameters for Use of Force
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