Safety and Security for Process Servers

Process serving often involves entering unfamiliar areas with the potential for confrontation. It is very important that safety is a top priority. Here are a few steps and precautions to be taken when serving legal documents:

1.  Understand the Law and Regulations

Become familiar with laws and regulations in your area of service. A thorough understanding and knowledge of your rights and responsibilities when process serving will go a long way towards diffusing any potential problems at the scene.

2. Investigate

Obtain or research as much information as possible about the party and location before attempting service. Obtain as many reasonable details and as much background information as possible on your subject for a risk assessment. Preparation may include determining if the subject for service has a criminal or violent history, is evading service, or other safety issues known to the property or area.  This may factor into routing decisions in order to perfect service with a lower risk for safety issues.

3. Situational Awareness and Distance

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Trust your instincts and assess the situation. Pay attention to anyone or anything that seems suspicious or out of place.  It is a good idea to maintain a distance no shorter than two arm lengths from people who propose a potential threat.  This includes their arms and yours.  While personal service most often requires a breach of this rule, time outside of this safety buffer or inside the danger zone should be limited to as little time as possible.  This prevents someone from reaching out to grab or strike you without first having to take a step towards you. 

4. Maintain Professionalism

Be professional at all times. A calm and courteous approach works best. Treating all respondents, or anyone else for that matter, with empathy and respect will help diffuse any tense situations before they arise.  Don’t have an attitude, and leave that ego behind. 

5. Travel Safely and More Distance

Also known as “route awareness.”  Be familiar with your route. Plan it in advance, making note of the points of egress from your subject’s address.  For example, parking down the street or out of view from the subject’s address is generally considered good practice, depending on the area or situation. Make certain that you do not need to double back past the place of service because it is the only way out the neighborhood or area.  Sharing your route itinerary with a coworker, friend or family member is good practice.  Any route or driving nowadays may include traveling through areas where safety is a concern. It is a good idea to be able to remain far enough behind a vehicle so as to see the back tires of any vehicle in front of you at all times.  This includes while driving, having just come to a stop, or parking.  This prevents getting blocked or “boxed in” and will ensure being able to quickly drive around a potential threat.

6. Partnership

Sometimes having another set of eyes with you when serving legal documents can be helpful to thwart any potential problems.  This person can serve as backup for any potential confrontations, and can help maintain situational awareness for both during the serve.

7. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment

There are many resources available depending on the needs of the situation. Most that you will ever need, you most likely already have with you.  For example, common sense and scene assessment.  Another is your smartphone. Many models have the ability to be used as a “panic” or “distress” device by automatically dialing 911 after pressing the power button on the side for a designated number of times, and in quick succession.   This can be done in just a few seconds, automatically calling 911 if the activation is not canceled within ten seconds.  A gps pin will be sent to any party via a text message to any party you designate, and the device will begin recording video.  The whole process takes just a few seconds, and keeps your hands free should you need to use them.  

8. Documentation

It is important to document any interactions with individuals when serving legal documents. This can be accomplished by taking detailed notes, or even obtaining audio or video recordings.  Accurate dates, times, locations and descriptions can should any issues arise, or things go sideways at the scene.  In the event a process server is threatened or assaulted, a police report should always be made.  This documentation will also help protect future process servers and may factor into decisions regarding alternate methods of service. 

9. Communication

Regularly communicate with your client any concerns or issues that are observed or experienced at the scene. Diligent and timely reporting may help ensure that necessary actions are taken for future risk assessments. 

10. Education

There are virtually hundreds of avenues to obtain knowledge and practice regarding personal safety and awareness. Consider taking or participating in  classes, workshops and webinars in order to maintain safety when serving legal documents. 

Personal safety when process serving can be managed best with knowledge, investigating, vigilance, professionalism, and preparation.  Effective documentation, communication and resourcefulness will go a long way towards maintaining a safe working environment as a process server.

Thank you for using Capital Discovery Solutions for all of your needs for a process server in Columbus Ohio.