The use of force by private security providers is one of the key challenges in private security regulation, given the security and human rights risks it entails. Law- and policymakers are faced with a lack of international guidelines on the issue and then often apply law enforcement standards by analogy, ignoring the fundamentally different roles and mandates of public and private security. 

To address these shortcomings and gather available good practices, DCAF has thus a Guidance Tool for States: Regulating the Use of Force by Private Security Providers, and it is available now in French and Spanish. This Guidance Tool is intended to support States in regulating the use of force by private security providers. The standards, requirements, and good practices contained in this Tool should be incorporated in national legislation, regulations, by-laws, as well as criteria for licensing, authorisation and registration. 

In addition to the Guidance Tool, a free online course "Use of Force by Private Security Providers: What Regulatory Approaches for States?" is available in English. It is particularly suitable for law- and policymakers and oversight actors.