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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

DIRECTIVE

NUMBER 5201

3 January 2018

Administrative Update 1, 20 April 2021

SI

SUBJECT: Police Authorities and Responsibilities

References: See Enclosure 1.

1. PURPOSE. This Directive:

a. Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities as they relate to the official

responsibilities of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) police, whose 

mission is to provide security services to protect NGA personnel, property, information, 

and installations in accordance with (IAW) References (j), (v), and (w).

b. Rescinds NGA Instruction 5210.2, “NGA Instruction for Use of Force,”

24 November 2003.

2. APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to all NGA civilian employees, military service

members, employees from other Government agencies permanently assigned to NGA, 

and contractors, hereinafter referred to as personnel.

3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.

4. POLICY. It is NGA policy that:

a. NGA maintains a police force comprising DoD/NGA Federal police officers with

duties similar to those described in Office of Personnel Management Occupation Series 

0083.

b. NGA police have primary responsibility to protect NGA personnel, property,

information, and installations via laws and security regulations as applicable to the 

following areas:

(1) NGA facilities and properties

(2) NGA Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF)

(3) NGA Campus East (NCE) IAW Reference (v)

(4) NGA Campus West (NCW)
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(5) NGA Arnold Facility

c. NGA police have the authority to take reasonable and lawful measures to maintain 

law and order and to protect personnel, property, information, and installations. This 

authority:

(1) In coordination with cognizant authorities, extends to temporarily established 

“National Defense Areas (NDA)” in emergency situations, such as accident sites 

involving Federal equipment or personnel on official business.

(2) Includes the removal or denial of access of individuals that threaten the 

orderly administration of the installation or property.

(3) Is not exercised in an arbitrary, unpredictable, or discriminatory manner. 

Removal or denial actions must be based on reasonable grounds and be judiciously 

applied.

(4) Prohibits individuals from reentering an installation or property after they have 

been removed and ordered not to reenter NGA facilities and properties. If this order is 

violated, the individual may be detained until civil authorities respond; violators may be 

prosecuted IAW laws and regulations—Federal, state, local, and military.

d. NGA will maintain a work environment free from violence, threats of violence, 

harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior.

e. NGA police are authorized to carry firearms and use force as outlined in this 

Directive and IAW References (i) and (v).

f. NGA will not employ or retain as a police officer an individual with a qualifying 

conviction for domestic violence IAW References (b) and (q). NGA will ensure that 

police officers with convictions qualifying as felonies do not carry firearms in places 

outside of exclusive Federal jurisdiction.

g. NGA will promptly report, IAW applicable law and policy, possible violations of 

Federal criminal laws by NGA personnel within the boundaries of NGA facilities and 

properties and NGA SCIFs at NCE, NCW, and Arnold.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES. See Enclosure 2.
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6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Directive is effective on the date of signature.

Harry E. Mornston

Executive Director

Enclosures

1. References

2. Responsibilities

3. Use of Force in the Performance of Official Duties

Glossary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHANGE LOG ...................................................................................................................... 5

ENCLOSURE 1: REFERENCES......................................................................................... 6

ENCLOSURE 2: RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................ 8

Director, NGA............................................................................................................. 8

Director, Security and Installations ........................................................................... 8

General Counsel........................................................................................................ 9

Inspector General ...................................................................................................... 9

Director, Office of Protective Services.................................................................... 10

NGA Police Officers................................................................................................. 10

Personnel................................................................................................................. 12

ENCLOSURE 3: USE OF FORCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES .. 13

GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................ 16
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CHANGE LOG

Change Change 

Date

Revised 

By

Pages 

Affected Change Description

1-1 4/20/21 6-7 Upated reference list.

1-2 4/20/21 9 Corrected word.

1-3 4/20/21 9

Deleted requirement no longer in 

reference.

1-4 4/20/21 10, 11, 18, 

19 Corrected references.

1-5 4/20/21 18 Updated definition to DoD definition.

1-6 4/20/21 19 Changed reference to NGA defined 

since no longer in reference.

(b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424 (b)(3) 10 USC 424
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ENCLOSURE 1

REFERENCES

(a) Title 10, United States Code (USC), Section 1585, “Carrying of Firearms”

(b) Title 18, USC, Section 922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9), “Unlawful Acts”

(c) Title 28, USC, Section 535(b), “Investigation of Crimes Involving Government 

Officers and Employees; Limitations”

(d) Title 50, USC, Section 797, “Penalty for Violation of Security Regulations and 

Orders”

(e) Intelligence Authorization Act of 1995, Section 811(c), “Coordination of 

Counterintelligence Activities”

(f) Executive Order 12333, "United States Intelligence Activities,” 08 04 December 

1981, as amended

(g) DoD Directive (DoDD) 3000.03E, “DoD Executive Agent for Non-Lethal Weapons 

(NLW), and NLW Policy,” 25 April 2013, Incorporating Change 2, 31 August 2018

(h) DoDD 5105.60, “National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA),” 29 July 2009

(i) DoDD 5210.56, “Arming and the Use of Force,” 18 November 2016, Change 1, 

06 November 2020

(j) DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1438.06, “DoD Workplace Violence Prevention and 

Response Policy,” 16 January 2014, Incorporating Change 1, 04 May 2020

(k) DoDI O-2000.22, “Designation and Physical Protection of DoD High-Risk 

Personnel,” 19 June 2014, Incorporating Change 1, 09 July 2020

(l) DoDI O-2000.27, “DoD Senior Foreign Official Visit Program (SFOVP),”

20 December 2012, Incorporating Change 1, 14 July 2020

(m) DoDI 5100.76, “Safeguarding Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and 

Explosives (AA&E),” 28 February 2014, Incorportaing Change 2, 19 October 2020

(n) DoDI 5200.08, “Security of DoD Installations and Resources and the DoD Physical 

Security Review Board (PSRB),” 10 December 2005, Incorproating Change 3, 

20 November 2015

(o) DoDI 5525.15, “Law Enforcement (LE) Standards and Training in the DoD,”

22 December 2016, Change 3, 30 September 2020

(p) DoDI 6055.04, “DoD Traffic Safety Program,” 20 April 2009, Incorporating 

Change 4, 31 August 2018

(q) DoDI 6400.06, “Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated 

Personnel,” 21 August 2007, Incorporating Change 4, 26 May 2017

(r) DoD Manual (DoDM) 3150.08, “Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Procedures 

(NARP)),” 22 August 2013, Incorporating Change 2, 21 July 2020

(s) DoDM 5100.76-M, “Physical Security of Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, 

and Explosives (AA&E),” 17 April 2012, Incorpating Change 2, 05 October 2020

(t) DoD Regulation 5200.08-R, “Physical Security Program,” 09 April 2007, 

Incorporating Change 2, 19 October 2020

(u) DoD Regulation 5400.11-R, "Department of Defense Privacy Program,"

14 May 2007
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(v) Department of the Army Memorandum IMBV-ZA, “Delegation of Authority and 

Guidance to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency related to Law 

Enforcement Activities on Belvoir North Area,” 11 July 2017

(w) NGA Instruction (NGAI) 5210.7, “Physical Removal and Denial of Access of 

Personnel From NGA-Controlled Facilities and Properties,” 30 May 2017, 

Administrative Update 1, 17 January 2019

(x) NGAI 5210.8, “NGA Physical Security Program,” 30 August 2016 17 October 2019

(y) NGAI 5750.1, “Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act Requests / Mandatory 

Declassification Review Program,” 02 December 2015 06 July 2018

(z) NGAI 8040.2, Volume 1, "Records and Information Lifecycle Management: 

Records Management Program," 30 March 2016 21 October 2020

(aa) NGA Manual (NGAM) 3021.2, “Antiterrorism (AT) Program,” 29 January 2015, 

Administrative Update, 20 November 2015

(ab) NGAM 3021.2, Volume 2, “Antiterrorism Vulnerability Assessment and Program 

Review,” 29 January 2015, Administrative Update, 20 November 2015

(ac) NGAM 3021.2, Volume 3, “Antiterrorism Planning,” 29 January 2015, 

Administrative Update, 20 November 2015

(ad) NGAM 3021.2, Volume 5, “Random Antiterrorism Measures Program,”

29 January 2015, Administrative Update, 20 November 2015

(ae) NGAIM 4540.1, “Parking and Vehicular Traffic,” 06 January 2014 22 May 2018

(af) NGAM 7410.11, “Inspector General Operations,” 02 June 2014, Administrative 

Update 16 November 2016
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ENCLOSURE 2

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Director, NGA (D/NGA).

a. Publishes the necessary security regulations for the protection and security of 

NGA personnel, property, information, and installations IAW Reference (h).

b. Establishes and implements the minimum training, certification, and physical 

fitness standards for NGA police officers IAW Reference (o).

c. Ensures the proper protection of NGA personnel, property, information, and 

installations from loss, destruction, espionage, terrorism, or sabotage IAW References 

(d), (h), (j), (k), (l), (n), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x) and other applicable laws and regulations—

Federal, state, local, military.

d. Authorizes Director, Office of Protective Services (D/SIP); Deputy Director, Office 

of Protective Services (DD/SIP); and NGA police officers to carry firearms or other 

appropriate weapons IAW References (a) and (i).

e. Delegates the authority of arming NGA police officers to the Director, Security and 

Installations Directorate (D/SI) and the Director, Office of Protective Services (D/SIP),

IAW References (a), (i), and (n).

f. Designates D/SIP to provide to the Director, DoD Peace Officer Standards and 

Training (POST) Commission proof of annual certification of NGA’s police force

compliance with the minimum training and fitness standards IAW Reference (o).

g. Supports the DoD Physical Security Review Board (PSRB) by providing the Board 

with information and assistance necessary for its assigned functions and by providing 

qualified personnel for task groups when requested by the Chair of the DoD PSRB IAW 

Reference (n).

h. Designates D/SI the responsibility not otherwise specified by law, policy, or 

regulation governing internal NGA oversight, to report information concerning possible 

federal crimes committed by NGA personnel IAW References (c) Section 535(b) and (f) 

Section 1.6(b).

i. Designates management oversight of the NGA police force to D/SI and D/SIP.

j. Designates D/SI and D/SIP to conduct preliminary inquiries as first responders to 

criminal activity occurring at NGA facilities and properties and to subsequently

cooperate with investigative authorities as appropriate IAW Reference (v).

2. D/SI.
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a. Manages the oversight of the NGA police force.

b. Conducts preliminary inquiries as first responders to incidences involving security 

and personnel protection on NGA property and cooperates with investigative authorities 

as appropriate IAW Reference (v).

c. Establishes a properly trained threat assessment team IAW Reference (j) that 

includes, at a minimum, legal counsel, employee relations, personnel security, NGA 

police force, and any other representatives as appropriate.

d. Ensures the development of criteria, establishes procedures, and monitors

compliance regarding the carrying of firearms by NGA police officers and the use of 

force IAW References (i), (q), and (v) and in compliance with applicable Laws and 

regulations—Federal, state, local, and military.

e. Periodically evaluates NGA police force programs for compliance with required

training, certification, and physical fitness standards IAW Reference (o).

f. Annually reviews and validates NGA’s compliance with the minimum training and 

fitness standards and provides validation to the D/NGA before NGA notifies the DoD 

(POST) Commission IAW Reference (o).

g. Provides program data to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 

Readiness IAW Reference (o) on the NGA police force strength and the number of 

Officers awaiting initial training.

h. Designates D/SIP to direct the conduct of preliminary inquiries not otherwise 

regulated by law, policy, or regulation governing internal NGA oversight, and to report 

information concerning possible federal crimes committed by NGA personnel IAW 

References (c) Section 535(b) and (f) Section 1.6(b).

3. General Counsel (GC) provides legal sufficiency reviews of NGA’s Police Program 

and NGA’s implementing guidance on the use of force.

4. Inspector General (IG).

a. Serves as NGA’s central point of contact and liaison with Federal, military, state, 

and local law enforcement and investigative agencies conducting criminal investigations 

involving NGA equities IAW Reference (af).

b. Conducts administrative investigations of allegations of fraud; waste; abuse; 

violations of law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; 

abuse of authority; and denial of due process involving NGA programs and operations 

IAW Reference (af).
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5. D/SIP.

a. Manages strategic and day-to-day operations of the NGA police force.

b. Oversees and manages NGA police force compliance with applicable DoD and 

Intelligence Community (IC) governing policy and Federal, state, and local laws and 

regulations.

c. Serves as the NGA representative to the DoD POST Commission.

d. Manages NGA POST Program and ensures that training, certification, and 

physical fitness standards are IAW Reference (o).

e. Ensures that NGA police officers carrying firearms have been screened IAW 

Reference (i) and that a completed DD Form 2760, “Qualification to Possess Firearms 

or Ammunition” is maintained IAW Reference (o) for each NGA police officer IAW 

Reference (i).

f. Complies with and implements procedures for protecting sensitive conventional 

arms and ammunition IAW Reference (m).

g. Ensures that notices about the Domestic Violence Amendment and procedures 

for its implementation are posted in all NGA facilities in which government firearms or 

ammunition are stored, issued, disposed of, or transported IAW Reference (q).

h. Creates standard operating procedures and/or other office-level 

directives/memoranda to address and implement NGA police force operations.

i. Ensures that all SIP records are managed and maintained IAW Reference (z).

j. Ensures that all Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests are 

processed IAW Reference (y).

6. NGA Police Officers.

a. Safeguard personnel, property, and information within and throughout all NGA 

installations and properties IAW References (n), (t), (v), (x), and (aa) in the performance 

of official duties, including the use of reasonable force IAW Reference (i).

b. Control facility access and prevent unauthorized entry, intrusion, criminal activity, 

insider threats, and threats from terrorism.

c. Inspect individuals entering and exiting NGA facilities IAW References (n), (t), (v), 

(x), (aa), (ac), and (ae).
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d. Control vehicle access to NGA property and enforce parking regulations IAW 

References (p), (t), (v), (x), and (ae).

e. Monitor intrusion alarms, duress alarms, fire alarms, closed circuit television 

monitors, and the emergency help line and take appropriate action in response.

f. Conduct patrols (foot, vehicular, or bicycle) within NGA installations, properties, 

and all common areas. For NCE, conduct external patrols of all grounds, parking areas, 

and roadways owned by, operated by, controlled by, surrounded by, or adjacent to NGA

property or facilities IAW Reference (v). For NCW and Arnold installations and 

properties, follow local guidance and regulations. Ensure all perimeter doors and access 

ways are secured.

g. Ensure that government and personal property is introduced into, removed from, 

and transferred within NGA facilities IAW References (t), (u), and (x).

h. Conduct antiterrorism measures outlined in the Random Antiterrorism Measure 

program schedule IAW References (z) (aa) through (ad).

i. Monitor the environment of NGA facilities for exposure to chemical, biological, 

radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) contamination via radiation detection 

devices, canine explosive detection teams, and explosive detection machines. Assess

any CBRNE situation and provide initial response.

j. Provide the first response and preliminary inquiry to any crime, violent act, or 

threat of violent act, crisis, CBRNE event, or emergency occurring on NGA facilities and 

properties IAW References (c) Section 535(b), (f) Section 1.7(a), (h), and (s). The 

responsibility to conduct a preliminary inquiry does not:

(1) Authorize or require NGA, or any person or entity acting on behalf of NGA, to 

conduct any investigation not otherwise authorized by law, or to collect any information 

in a manner not authorized by law;

(2) Require NGA to report crimes information that was disseminated to NGA by 

another department, agency, or organization; however, if NGA is the primary or sole 

recipient of this information, or if analysis by NGA reveals additional crimes information, 

NGA shall be responsible for reporting all such crimes information IAW applicable laws 

and regulations—Federal, state, local, and military;

(3) Alter or supersede the obligation of an employee of NGA to report criminal 

behavior by other employees of NGA to OIG, as required by law or policy, nor affect any 

protections afforded to any persons reporting such information to OIG;

(4) Alter or supersede any obligation of NGA to report criminal behavior by 

government employees not employed by NGA, as required by law or policy.
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(5) Affect the obligation of NGA to report alleged or suspected espionage 

activities to the Federal Bureau of Investigation IAW Reference (e).

(6) Extend to crimes the investigation of which is assigned by law or regulation to 

another entity at NGA (e.g., procurement fraud, criminal conflicts of interest, 

unauthorized disclosures of classified information).

k. Use less-than-deadly force, including non-lethal weapons (NLW), and provide or 

coordinate for prompt and appropriate medical attention to the party on which the force 

is used should a medical need arise (e.g., asthmatic reaction to pepper spray).

l. Report incidents and allegations of violent crimes occurring in NGA facilities and 

properties to the cognizant law enforcement agency.

7. Personnel adhere to the guidance and direction of the NGA police officers in the 

performance of their duties to protect NGA personnel, property, information, and 

installations.
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ENCLOSURE 3

USE OF FORCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES

1. General. NGA police officers, armed IAW this Directive and Reference (i), are 

authorized to use force in the performance of their official duties, as described in the 

paragraphs below. When force is necessary to perform official duties, NGA police 

officers will use a reasonable amount of force and will not use excessive force. The 

reasonableness of any use of force is determined by assessing the totality of the 

circumstances that led to the need to use force.

2. Warning Shots. Warning shots are prohibited in the United States by DoD IAW 

Reference (i). Warning shots are also prohibited outside the US unless otherwise 

authorized by applicable host-nation law and status of forces agreements and IAW

Standing Rules on the Use of Force in non-US locations.

3. Vehicles. Firearms will not be fired solely to disable a non-threatening moving 

vehicle. NGA police officers who have reason to believe that a driver or occupant of a 

vehicle poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to themselves or 

others may fire at the driver or an occupant only when such shots are reasonable to

avoid death or serious physical injury to the officer or another, and only if the public 

safety benefits of using such force reasonably appear to outweigh other risks to DoD 

personnel or the public, such as from a crash, ricocheting bullets, or return fire from the 

subject or another person in the vehicle.

4. Less-Than-Deadly Force (Use of Force). Force may be used when there is probable 

cause to believe it is reasonable to accomplish the lawful performance of assigned 

duties. The amount of force used must be reasonable when assessed under the totality 

of the circumstances leading to the need for force.

a. Reference (g) establishes policy for the development and employment of NLWs. 

For the purpose of this issuance, and in the context of the use of force, the phrase “lessthan-deadly force” is used as there is no guarantee that NLWs will not cause severe 

injury or death.

b. Any use of force can have unforeseeable and unintended consequences, and in 

rare circumstances less-than-deadly force can cause or contribute to severe injury or 

death. NGA police officers using less-than-deadly force, including NLWs, will provide or 

coordinate for prompt and appropriate medical attention to the party on which the force 

is used should a medical need arise (e.g., asthmatic reaction to pepper spray).

c. Less-than-deadly force may be used when reasonable:

(1) To defend oneself from actual or imminent threat of physical injury or death.
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(2) To defend other persons from actual or imminent threat of physical injury or 

death.

(3) To overcome the active or passive resistance offered to a lawful detention, or 

to accomplish the lawful performance of assigned duties.

(4) To prevent the destruction of NGA property.

(5) To control or restrain animals presenting an ongoing or imminent threat of 

bodily harm against oneself or others.

5. Deadly Force.

a. D/NGA may impose further restrictions on the use of deadly force if deemed 

necessary in his/her judgment and if such restrictions would not unduly compromise US 

national security interests or unduly put NGA personnel at risk.

b. Deadly force is justified only when there is a reasonable belief that the subject of 

such force poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to a person or 

under the circumstances described in paragraph 5.d below.

c. An oral warning must be given prior to the use of deadly force if the situation 

permits and if doing so does not unreasonably increase the danger to NGA police 

officers or others.

d. Deadly force may only be used when reasonable, including, but not limited to, 

under the following circumstances:

(1) Self-defense and defense of other NGA personnel. NGA police officers may 

use deadly force in order to defend themselves or other NGA personnel in their vicinity 

when there is reason to believe the target of that force poses an actual or imminent 

threat of death or serious bodily harm.

(2) Defense of others. NGA police officers may use deadly force to defend nonNGA personnel in their vicinity when there is reason to believe the target of that force 

poses an actual or imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm and when defense of 

those non-NGA personnel is reasonably related to the performance of their assigned 

mission or to their duty status, or is within the scope of Federal employment.

(3) Protecting assets vital to national security. NGA police officers may use 

deadly force to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of assets vital to national security.

(4) Protecting inherently dangerous property. NGA police officers may use deadly 

force to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of inherently dangerous property.
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(5) Protecting national critical infrastructure. NGA police officers may use deadly 

force to prevent the sabotage or destruction of national critical infrastructure.

(6) Preventing escape. NGA police officers may use deadly force, or prevent the 

unlawful escape of a fleeing subject if there is probable cause to believe:

(a) The subject has committed an offense involving the infliction or threatened 

infliction of serious physical injury or death and continues to pose a threat of death or 

serious bodily injury to the officer or bystanders; or

(b) The escape of the subject would pose an actual or imminent threat of 

death or serious bodily harm to NGA personnel or others in the vicinity.

(7) Defending against animals. Deadly force may be directed against vicious 

animals when necessary in self-defense or in defense of others.
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GLOSSARY

Ammunition A device charged with explosive, propellants, and pyrotechnics, 

initiating composition, riot control agents, chemical herbicides, 

smoke, and flame for the use in connection with defense or offense, 

including demolition. Excluded from this definition are devices 

charged with chemical agents, defined in Joint Publication 1-02, and 

nuclear and biological material. Ammunition including cartridges, 

projectiles, including missile rounds, grenades, mines, and 

pyrotechnics together with bullets, shot, and necessary primers, 

propellants, fuses, and detonators individually or having unit of

issue, container, or package weight of 100 pounds or less. Blank, 

inert, training ammunition and rim-fire ammunition are excluded. 

(Reference (m))

Armed Equipped with a firearm that has a live round of ammunition in a 

magazine inserted into the firearm, chamber, or cylinder. (Reference

(i))

Arms A weapon that will be or is designed to expel a projectile or flame by 

the action of an explosive, and the frames or receivers of any such 

weapon. (Reference (m))

Arming 

Authority

A person or persons designated by the Deputy Chief Management 

Officer of the DoD or a DoD Component head who can authorize 

the arming of persons under their command or supervision or permit 

the carrying of privately owned firearms for personal protection 

purposes not related to official duties on DoD property for which 

they are responsible. (Reference (i))

Assets Vital to 

National 

Security

President-designated non-DoD or DoD property, the actual theft or 

sabotage of which the President has determined would seriously 

jeopardize the fulfillment of a national defense mission and would 

create an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm (e.g., 

nuclear weapons; nuclear command and control facilities; special 

nuclear materials; and designated restricted areas containing 

strategic operational assets, sensitive codes, or special access 

programs). (Reference (i))

Carry The carrying of a weapon, loaded and ready for employment, on 

one’s person. Authority to carry may include the retention, transport, 

and storage to and from the work place to domicile. (Reference (i))

Deadly Force Force that is likely to cause, or that a person knows or should know 

would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily 

harm or injury. (Reference (i))
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Domestic 

Violence 

Amendment

The Domestic Violence Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 

(Section 922, Title 18, United States Code (18 USC 922)), the 

Lautenberg Amendment. (Reference (b))

Force Physical presence, action, or exercise of strength to compel another 

act or refrain from certain behavior. (Reference (i))

Imminent A level of certainty that something is ready to happen, and is more 

likely tied to circumstances rather than a fixed period of time. 

(Reference (i))

Imminent 

Threat

The determination of whether a particular threat or danger is 

“imminent” is based on an assessment of all the circumstances 

known to NGA police officers at the time. “Imminent” does not 

necessarily mean “immediate” or “instantaneous.” (Definition 

created by NGA for NGA purposes only)

Inherently 

Dangerous 

Property

Property that, if in the hands of an unauthorized individual, would 

create an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. On-scene 

commanders determine if property is inherently dangerous. 

Examples include, but are not limited to: portable missiles; rockets; 

arms; ammunition; explosives; chemical agents; biological select 

agents and toxins; and special nuclear materials. (Reference (i))

Less-lethal 

Force

The degree of force used that is less likely to cause death or serious 

physical injury to overcome violent encounters and appropriately 

meet the levels of resistance encountered. (Reference (i))

National 

Critical 

Infrastructure

(NCI)

For the purpose of DoD operations, President-designated public 

utilities, or similar critical infrastructure, vital to public health or 

safety, the damage to which the President has determined would 

create an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm or injury. 

(Reference (i))

National 

Defense Area 

(NDA)

An area established on non-federal lands located within the US or 

its possessions or territories for the purpose of safeguarding 

classified defense information or protecting DoD equipment and/or 

materiel. Establishment of an NDA temporarily places such nonfederal lands under the effective control of DoD and results only 

from an emergency event. The senior DoD representative at the 

scene will define the boundary, mark it with a physical barrier, and 

post warning signs. The landowner's consent and cooperation will 

be obtained whenever possible; however, military necessity will 

dictate the final decision regarding location, shape, and size of the 

NDA. (Reference (r))
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NGA Property Includes NGA facilities and properties within predetermined 

boundaries IAW Reference (v). (Definition created by NGA for NGA 

purposes only)

Non-lethal 

Weapons 

(NLW)

Weapons, devices, and munitions that are explicitly designed and 

primarily employed to incapacitate targeted personnel or material 

immediately, while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to 

personnel, and undesired damage to property in the target area or 

environment. NLW are intended to have reversible effects on 

personnel or materiel. (Reference (i g))

Personal 

Protection

The carrying and employment of a firearm for the protection of 

oneself or others from death or serious bodily injury. (Reference (i))

Preliminary 

Inquiry

A determination, upon receipt of allegations, complaints, or 

information that an employee of NGA may have violated, may be 

violating, or may violate a federal criminal statute, of whether there 

is a reasonable basis to believe that a federal crime has been, is 

being, or will be committed and that it is a crime which must be 

reported by operation of law, policy, or regulation. (Definition 

created by NGA for NGA purposes only)

Reasonable As described in the US Supreme Court case of Graham v. Connor, 

490 US 386 (1989), that conduct that satisfies the Fourth 

Amendment to the US Constitution standard of “objective 

reasonableness” for assessing the use of force. The US Supreme 

Court established the US Constitution Fourth Amendment standard 

of “objective reasonableness” as the appropriate standard for 

assessing the use of force in the context of making an arrest or 

other seizure of a person. The Supreme Court’s decision regarding 

objective reasonableness is Graham v. Connor, 490 US 386 (1989). 

Personnel involved in law enforcement and security duties utilize 

use-of-force options ranging from simple displays of authority, to the 

application of various levels of less-lethal force, to the use of deadly 

force. Reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged 

from the perspective of a reasonable DoD employee on the scene. 

Reasonable or reasonably means facts and circumstances, 

including the reasonable inferences drawn there from, known to the 

DoD employee at the time of the use of deadly force, that would 

cause a reasonable person to conclude that the point at issue is 

probably true. The reasonableness of a belief or decision must be 

viewed from the perspective of the employee on the scene, who 

may have been forced to make split-second decisions in 

circumstances that were tense, unpredictable, and rapidly evolving. 

Reasonableness is not to be viewed from the calm vantage point of 

hindsight. (Reference (i))
UNCLASSIFIED

NGAD 5201

19

UNCLASSIFIED

Risk A measure of consequence of peril, hazard, or loss that is incurred 

from a capable aggressor or the environment (the presence of a 

threat and unmitigated vulnerability). (Reference (i m))

Sensitive 

Conventional 

Arms and 

Ammunition

Those conventional arms and ammunition items designated as 

Security Risk Categories I-IV, as described and categorized in 

Reference (s), which have the characteristics that require they be 

identified, accounted for, segregated, or handled in a special 

manner to ensure a high degree of protection and control. 

(Reference (m))

Serious Bodily 

Harm or Injury 

Bodily harm or injury that involves a substantial risk of death; 

extreme physical pain; protracted and obvious disfigurement; or 

protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, 

organ, or mental faculty. (Reference (i)) (Definition created by NGA 

for NGA purposes only)