Security teams face termination if they use excessive force.

The moment you put on a security badge, you’re not just carrying a shield; you’re carrying responsibility. In a bustling transit environment, that responsibility shows up in how you respond to tension, how you move people to safety, and how you protect everyone’s dignity. When people think about what behavior can cost someone their job, they often imagine slips like lateness or poor teamwork. But for security professionals, there’s a line that, if crossed, isn’t just frowned upon—it can end a career. Here’s the plain truth you’ll hear in the field: excessive force is a termination-worthy behavior.

The hard truth about excessive force

Excessive force means using more physical power than what the situation truly requires. It’s not about being brave or assertive; it’s about staying within the boundaries of trained standards, policy, and the law. Security roles, especially in high-traffic environments like light rail systems, demand a careful balance: act decisively when danger is real, yet avoid actions that could cause unnecessary harm or escalate a situation further. When force goes beyond what is necessary to protect people or property, the consequences ripple outward—legal exposure, civil liability, and a breach of public trust. And in today’s world, public trust isn’t a luxury—it's the foundation that keeps riders comfortable and safe.

Let me explain why this matters so much in transit settings. A busy platform is a pressure cooker: people moving, sometimes stressed, kids in strollers, bags toppled in the rush, and a chorus of announcements in the background. In that mix, a single moment of overreach can sour the experience for dozens of riders and put innocent bystanders at risk. The city or county may later review footage, reports, and actions taken by security personnel. If the response looks disproportionate, the organization bears the cost—maybe a legal settlement, certainly a dent in credibility, and, for the officer, a loss of livelihood. It’s not just about the person involved; it’s about the entire system’s reliability.

What counts as excessive force in practice

To keep this concrete without turning it into a guide for missteps, here are the kinds of actions that would raise red flags in most security policies:

• Using more physical force than necessary to control someone who is non-threatening or already restrained. The moment someone is still or handcuffed, continuing to apply strength can cross the line.

• Striking, kicking, or using weapons against someone who is not actively resisting or who poses no imminent danger.

• Employing intimidation tactics that go beyond reasonable safety needs—like loud, aggressive posturing, threats, or actions designed to frighten rather than de-escalate.

• Engaging in retaliation or vindictive behavior after a confrontation, rather than documenting and handling it through proper channels.

• Continuing a forceful response after the situation has defused or after backup has arrived, without a clear safety justification.

It’s helpful to contrast that with what’s appropriate. Short, clear decisions—calm voice, steady stance, and clear communication—help prevent situations from escalating. The point isn’t to avoid all force; it’s to use the minimum necessary to keep people safe and to preserve everyone’s rights and dignity.

What doesn’t belong on a security professional’s radar

While excessive force is a big no, there are other workplace issues that also deserve attention, but with a different weight. Consistent tardiness, disagreements with colleagues, or showing favoritism can undermine a team’s effectiveness and erode trust. They’re serious and deserve prompt, constructive handling, but they don’t carry the same immediate safety risk as overstepping the line on force. In transit security, the difference is safety and public trust. When you’re standing guard on a platform or patrolling a station, people rely on you to keep the environment calm and secure—not to let a tense moment become a catastrophe.

How this plays out on the ground

Transit environments aren’t laboratories; they’re living, breathing cities in motion. Here’s how the principle shows up in daily work:

• De-escalation first: When a heated exchange starts, the best move is often to lower the volume, give space, and invite calm, clear communication. If dialogue is still possible, it’s usually the safest route to a peaceful resolution.

• Documentation matters: If force becomes necessary, it’s essential to document what happened, why it happened, and what steps followed. Clear notes and timely reports help protect everyone—riders, colleagues, and the organization.

• Back-up and escalation: Knowing when to call for backup is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows you’re prioritizing safety over bold bravado.

• Training isn’t a one-and-done deal: Ongoing refreshers on use-of-force policies, de-escalation techniques, and scenario-based drills aren’t luxuries; they’re essential, especially in a busy transit setting where unpredictability is the rule, not the exception.

A note for Valley Metro Light Rail security officers

If you’re patrolling a light rail system or working as a field security officer (FSO) in a busy urban environment, the guidelines you’ll operate under are designed to protect riders and ensure reliable service. The emphasis is on preventing harm, reducing risk, and maintaining public confidence. When policies stress proportionality and necessity, they’re not about limiting authority; they’re about preserving life and trust. In practice, that means:

• Training that foregrounds de-escalation, listening, and situational awareness.

• Clear use-of-force policies that define what is permissible and what isn’t, with a strict continuum that favors the least restrictive option first.

• Accountability mechanisms, including body cameras, reporting requirements, and supervisory review of any force incident.

• A culture where questions are welcomed and concerns are addressed promptly, because safety is a shared responsibility.

Why this matters for the security profession

People rely on transit security to feel safe while moving through a city. A single incident of excessive force doesn’t just affect the person on the receiving end; it affects riders who witness it, families who ride with kids, and communities who expect public spaces to be safe and welcoming. The job isn’t merely about handling trouble when it shows up; it’s about preventing trouble from becoming tragedy in the first place. In that sense, the threshold for what counts as too much is not arbitrary; it’s the line between protection and harm.

Real-talk about the career path

If you’re charting a course toward a role like Valley Metro’s FSO, you’ll want to cultivate a few core traits. First, sharp situational awareness: spotting trouble before it explodes. Second, a calm, confident communication style that can de-escalate without compromising safety. Third, a commitment to the rules and to the people you’re sworn to protect. That combination doesn’t just help you avoid termination; it helps you earn respect and trust from riders, colleagues, and supervisors alike.

Let’s weave in a quick mental model you can carry with you: the use-of-force continuum isn’t a ladder you climb by force; it’s a framework that guides you toward the least intrusive option that still ensures safety. Think verbal judo first—words, posture, stance, tempo. If those tools fail, you have a plan for the next step, but always within the policies you’ve trained on and signed up to follow. It’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable—and in the transit world, reliability is everything.

Practical reminders you can carry into your shifts

• When in doubt, slow it down. Pause, breathe, assess. Quick reactions can be deadly; measured responses save lives.

• Use help generously. If a situation begins to tilt, call for backup rather than trying to “tough it out” alone.

• Document every turn. A concise, factual account helps everyone see what happened and why certain decisions were made.

• Favor de-escalation techniques. Reducing tension protects both riders and staff, and it reduces the chance of injuries.

• Stay within policy. Your training isn’t decorative; it’s a shield for you and the public.

A final takeaway

In security roles, excellence isn’t measured by bravado or the ability to dominate a scene. It’s measured by how well you protect people and preserve trust—without crossing lines that put others at risk. Excessive force isn’t just a bad choice; it’s a violation of the core duties you carry as a security professional. When you’re out there on a platform or walking a station, you’re not just enforcing rules—you’re safeguarding everyday lives and keeping a city moving with confidence.

If you’re exploring a future with transit security, remember this: the work demands presence of mind, a steady hand, and a respect for human dignity. The line you don’t want to cross isn’t a rumor in a manual; it’s the real point where safety and trust meet. And that is the backbone of a career that matters—one that riders notice, partners rely on, and communities count on to stay safe as they travel from home to work, from station to station, every single day.