Campus Safety Supervisor Disarms Knife Wielding Student

Testimonial

Training makes a difference.

"One of my intermediate level students was recently forced to disarm a high school student brandishing a knife... The core transaction could use some work, but no staff members were injured... Thought I would share."

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I was an unarmed campus supervisor (school safety officer) at a high school in Southern California. I monitored a sporting event on campus and saw a male student with what appeared to be a folding knife protruding from his right pocket. I immediately gained the attention of the other staff members present. The other staff members verbally engaged the student to get him to surrender the weapon - possessing a knife on campus is a felony.

The male student became agitated, cursed, and paced back and forth. As the other staff members attempted to detain the student for the felony, he pushed back against them, and they fell to the ground with the student during the struggle. The student recovered quickly, returned to his feet, removed the knife from his pocket, opened it, and came at me while telling me to "back the fuck up!" Even as I backed up, the student kept advancing toward me. Fearing for my safety, I drew on my training with Alex Smith (Just Tactics LLC). I disarmed the student, pinned him to the ground, and handcuffed him with assistance from the other staff members.

While training with Alex, I always wondered how I would react and if I would respond appropriately. I had no time to think. I recognized the threat and responded. The defensive exercise worked better than I ever imagined. The amazing thing was that the student advanced toward me just as we were training. Alex always insisted on realistic attacks when teaching. He always tells his clients that the defense works best when the attack is real.

I hope others take this training and see its benefits. Times are changing, and I know I avoided serious injury because of the training!

I should mention that the student was a known gang member, carrying a backpack with narcotics and a scale for distribution.

M. Davis

Case Analysis of the Incident

Just Tactics LLC Self Defense School

1. California Penal Code Section 626.10 - Weapons on School Grounds

The Violation:

California Penal Code Section 626.10(a)(1) explicitly prohibits possession of knives on school grounds:

"Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer... who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2½ inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, razor with an unguarded blade... upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170."

Analysis:

The student possessed a folding knife on school grounds
This is NOT a felony as stated by the staff members, but rather a "public offense" that can be charged as either a misdemeanor (county jail up to 1 year) or a felony (state prison), making it a "wobbler" offense
The campus supervisor's statement that "possessing a knife on campus is a felony" is technically inaccurate but reflects the seriousness of the offense
Regardless of the classification, the offense justified staff intervention and detention

2. California Penal Code Section 245 - Assault with a Deadly Weapon

The Escalation:

When the student drew the knife, opened it, and advanced on the campus supervisor with threats, the situation escalated from mere possession to assault with a deadly weapon:

California Penal Code Section 245(a)(1): "Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year..."

Analysis:

The student's actions—drawing the knife, opening it, advancing while threatening the supervisor—constitute assault with a deadly weapon
An assault requires only the present ability to commit a violent injury and an attempt to do so
The student's advance despite the supervisor backing away demonstrates intent and ability
This is a serious felony carrying 2-4 years in state prison

3. Authority of School Safety Officers

California Penal Code Section 626.10(g) - Seizure Authority:

"Any certificated or classified employee or school peace officer of a public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, may seize any of the weapons described in subdivision (a)... from the possession of any person upon the grounds of, or within, the school if he or she knows, or has reasonable cause to know, the person is prohibited from bringing or possessing the weapon upon the grounds of, or within, the school."

Analysis:

As a campus supervisor (classified employee), the individual had statutory authority to seize the knife
The supervisor had reasonable cause to know the student was prohibited from possessing the weapon
This authority extends to using reasonable force to effect the seizure when the student resists

4. Reasonable Use of Force Standard

California Law on Use of Force:

California law permits the use of reasonable force to:

Defend oneself or others from imminent harm
Effect a lawful detention or arrest
Prevent the commission of a felony

Analysis:

The campus supervisor used force that was proportional to the threat
Disarming the student prevented immediate harm
Pinning and handcuffing ensured the student could not re-arm or flee
No excessive force was reported (e.g., striking the student after he was subdued)
The supervisor's actions stopped at restraint, not retaliation