Use of Force Policy and Procedures

The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees Policies include Section 1.10 Safety and Security, outlining the Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) authorization to establish policies regarding the security of patrons.

Administrative Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) employees regarding the use of force while at work. As a general matter, employees are expected to use verbal commands and de-escalation techniques, rather than force, to control situations that interfere with the operation of PPLD facilities and the use of those facilities by PPLD patrons.

PPLD employees are not required to use force to defend themselves or others, including Library patrons and employees. Their primary responsibility is to observe, report, summon law enforcement, and attempt to stop altercations through loud verbal commands and de-escalation techniques while maintaining the safety of patrons and employees until law enforcement arrives. However, in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-1-704 (Use of Physical Force in Defense of a Person), employees may use physical force against another person in order to defend themselves, Library patrons, or employees, from what they reasonably believe to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force on another person. Employees may use a degree of force which they reasonably believe to be necessary for that purpose.

Procedures

1. Operations

   Any use of force by Library employees must be consistent with state and federal laws applicable to the use of force, the parameters of this policy, and the training provided by PPLD, including, but not limited to, training in Crisis Prevention Institute Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

   1. When using force, employees must immediately cease such use when the offending party stops the aggressive behavior.
   2. Staff has a duty to intervene or stop the use of excessive force by another employee when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
   3. Security Officers are not authorized to use or carry weapons in the library.

2. Reporting

   If force is utilized to protect oneself, a patron, or an employee, the employee must immediately call 911 and request law enforcement and medical responses. A paramedic will provide an opportunity for the employee and the offending person to receive immediate medical treatment and for the paramedic or other medical professional to document any visual injuries to, or medical complaints made by, the offending person.

   1. Injured employees must follow the “Injured at Work” procedure to ensure that worker’s compensation is filed appropriately.
   2. Employees must immediately report any use of force to a member of Security leadership (Chief Facilities & Security Officer, Director of Security, or the Security Supervisor for the area) and complete an incident report as soon as it is safe to do so.
   3. The employee completing the incident report should immediately obtain witness statements from all available patrons and employees in the area.

3. Review

   All instances of use of force will be reviewed by PPLD’s Use of Force Review Team based on a standard of “objective reasonableness.” The Use of Force Review Team will consist of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Facilities & Security Officer, Chief Compliance & Human Resources Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Security. PPLD’s Use of Force Review Team will review the facts of a case as they were presented to the employee when the decision to use force was made and determine if the actions were “reasonable” given the circumstances and what was known to the employee at the time.

   1. Employees will receive training at least annually on PPLD’s Use of Force Policy and related legal updates.
   2. This policy will be periodically reviewed, and any questions or concerns may be addressed to the Chief Facilities & Security Officer for clarification.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026

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