What is the legal limit on the use of force for security officers in Western Australia?

• A. Force unlimited if necessary.
• B. Use of force must be reasonable and proportionate; deadly force generally not permitted; escalate to police if appropriate.
• C. You can use deadly force if threatened.
• D. Force may be used aggressively.

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that security officers in Western Australia must use force only in a way that is reasonable and proportionate to the situation. This means you assess the threat, apply the minimum amount of force needed to protect yourself or others, and stop as soon as the risk is controlled. Deadly force is not generally allowed for security officers; lethal measures are reserved for the rare, last-resort circumstances where there is an imminent threat to life and no safer option remains. In practice, you should try to de-escalate, use non-physical options first, and, if the danger cannot be resolved safely, call and rely on police assistance. Misuse or excessive force outside these bounds can lead to criminal or disciplinary consequences, so the force used must always be proportionate to the risk.