A recent incident at a Brentwood Calgary Co-Op grocery store has ignited yet another conversation about the role of security guards in Canada, the use of force, and how public perception can, and in some ways should, help guide policies and procedures. A video circulating online showing a security guard forcibly detaining an alleged shoplifter is what is fuelling this conversation. This occurred on or around February 28, 2025. According to news reports, witnesses described the arrest and takedown as “aggressive”, with one bystander even saying it looked like the WWE (the wrestling organization).
The incident, like many others like it, have raised questions about the responsibilities of security guards, their legal authority, and the risks of using force when making arrests. While no charges have been laid against the security guard, public outcry and media scrutiny highlight a growing issue: balancing law enforcement and protecting property, and maintaining public trust.
For private security guards, especially those working in loss prevention, this incident offers some important lessons. In this post, we will take a look at the legal framework for a private citizen’s powers of arrest and use of force in Canada, the role of loss prevention professionals (LPP’s), the risks associated with the job, and the increasing impact of public perception on the security industry.
Private Citizen’s Powers of Arrest in Canada
Private citizens, including security guards, have a limited authority to make arrests in Canada. Section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada allows for an arrest to be made if:
- They personally witness a criminal offence being committed.
- They are the owner or authorized agent of a property and are arresting someone they found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property. This would include theft.
- The arrest must be made either at the time the offence occurred, or within a reasonable time afterward, and it’s not feasible for a peace officer to make the arrest.
- Anyone arrested under Section 494 must be turned over to the police as quickly as possible.
For security guards working in retail loss prevention, this means that an arrest must be based on direct observation of a theft being committed. If the security guard did not witness the act, from start to finish, detaining them may lead to legal consequences such as assault and forcible confinement charges. In the Co-Op incident, it is unknown whether the security guard had a lawful authority to make the arrest. For the purposes of this post, we will assume that he does.
Use of Force and Legal Limitations
Security guards are considered private citizens under the law, which means they do not have the same authorities as the police. Having said that, private citizens do have the authority to use force under certain circumstances, including when making arrests. Section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada states that anyone acting under a lawful authority (such as making a lawful arrest) can use as much force as is reasonably necessary to do what they are authorized to do.
A key factor is proportionality. The level of force used must be the lowest level necessary to accomplish the objective. If a security guard uses too much force, they can face criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and a loss of employment.
For example:
- If a suspected shoplifter is cooperative and following instructions, a security guard should be using verbal commands, rather than physical force.
- If a subject struggles, or attempts to flee, a security guard may use reasonable force to detain and control the individual. However, if they use excessive force, such as throwing the person to the ground unnecessarily, it may be considered an assault.
- Handcuffs are a tool designed to be used when there is a need to maintain control over an actively resisting person, or there are safety concerns that must be managed while awaiting the police.
In the Calgary Co-Op incident, the high level of force used is what drew criticism from the public. The security guard may have been acting well within his legal authorities in terms of making the arrest, and using reasonable force to do so, but the optics of the situation are an important consideration also. The public judges based on how what they see makes them feel, not necessarily whether or not it was lawful. This presents challenges for security guards as they try to perform their duties.
The Role of Loss Prevention Professionals
Loss prevention professionals (LPP’s) play a crucial role in the retail industry. Their primary duties include:
- Preventing theft through surveillance and deterrence.
- Observing and gathering evidence before making an arrest.
- Detaining suspects within their legal authorities and organizational policies.
- Ensuring the safety of customers, staff and themselves.
LPP’s must remember that, while they may have authority to arrest under the Criminal Code, the expectation is that they will use as little physical force as possible to safely detain the suspect. Every effort should be made to obtain voluntary compliance, through the use of strong communication skills.
Loss Prevention Best Practices
- Follow the six-step process for lawful arrest: Observe approach, selection, concealment, continuous observation, passing the point of sale, and exiting the store.
- Begin with verbal and non-verbal communication: Physical force should be the option of last resort.
- Use non-threatening body language to prevent unnecessary escalation.
- Thoroughly document the incident through notes and incident reports in case of internal or external scrutiny.
In the Calgary Co-Op incident, the fact that someone captured the arrest on video, and then shared it widely turned what may have been a routine shoplifting arrest into a public relations nightmare for both the store and the company the security guard works for. This example really highlights how public perception can sometimes outweigh other priorities, such as asset protection and law enforcement.
The Risks of Being a Security Guard
Being a security guard comes with many risks, including:
Legal Risks
- Unlawful arrests (actual or accusations) – Criminal charges
- Assault or excessive force (actual or accusations) – Criminal charges
- Civil lawsuits from those arrested or detained.
Safety Risks
- Injuries caused by subjects who resist arrest.
- Subjects may produce weapons such as knives or even firearms.
- Retaliation outside of work. There is the possibility that someone may approach the security guard after work or in another location and try to retaliate for what happened when the guard was performing their lawful duty.
Reputational Risks
- Negative media exposure (such as referenced in this post).
- Loss of employment due to public backlash against the company.
- Damage to the company’s reputation.
Security guards must consider many factors when choosing how to best handle a situation. They must balance the necessity to protect the property, people and assets; protecting themselves legally and physically; and protecting the reputation of the company they represent. Maintaining this balance requires a thorough understanding of the law, company policy, industry best practices, and maintaining professionalism at all times.
The Impact of Public Perception
One of the most significant takeaways from the Calgary Co-Op incident is the power of public opinion. In the news piece, there was no discussion about whether the security guard had legal authority to arrest or use force. There was also no discussion about whether someone who steals from a store should be allowed to walk free. The only topic of discussion was how the witnesses felt that the suspect was treated by the security guard.
How Public Opinion Shapes Security Policy
- Many companies have banned the use of force entirely due to concerns for reputational damage.
- Increased public attention and scrutiny can lead to stricter regulations for security personnel.
- In an effort to appease the public and protect their reputations, companies may fire security guards, even if they acted lawfully.
- A security guard’s negative reputation can impact future job opportunities.
Why Public Perception Matters to Security Guards
- A single viral video can cause long-term damage to a security guard’s reputation.
- Security guards may lose their employer’s support if the action sparks public outrage.
- A negative reputation can limit future employment opportunities.
Using the Calgary Co-Op arrest as an example, if the public outcry intensifies, the organization may feel the need to tell the public that this incident was a violation of their policies, carried out by one individual (the security guard). To show that they have taken decisive action, they may choose to terminate the guard’s employment. NOTE: At the time this post was written, that had not happened. This is purely a hypothetical exercise, based on a real situation.
Key Takeaway: Always act as if you are being recorded. Assume that everything you do will be judged by people who do not know the law, or understand your role and responsibilities.
Conclusion
While much of the details surrounding this arrest are unknown, there is still much that can be learned from the Calgary Co-Op incident, including:
- That security guards must understand and follow the law when making arrests and using force.
- The importance of developing and utilizing strong communication and de-escalation skills to minimize the necessity of physical intervention.
- The real-world consequences of public perception, and how it impacts careers, and influences company policy and decisions, as well as industry regulations.
If you are a security guard or loss prevention professional, the best way to protect yourself is to:
- Know your legal authorities, and how to apply them to your decision-making.
- Use force only when absolutely necessary, and only the least amount required.
- Be professional in your communication and behaviour at all times.
- Be aware of how your actions are likely being perceived by bystanders, and the public at large (should a video be taken).
The intent of this post was not to criticize the security guard for how he handled the arrest at the Calgary Co-Op. Too little is known, and arrests seldom look pretty. The intent was to use the incident as an opportunity to focus on the nature and impact that public opinion continues to have on the security industry, and the challenges that it poses for security professionals who are just trying to do the best job they can.
If you are concerned about these risks and challenges in your role, we encourage you to seek out training opportunities to improve your skills. We offer many affordable learning options, including Loss Prevention, Use of Force and De-Escalation that you can complete at your own pace.
References
CTV News (n.d.). Takedown in front of Brentwood Calgary Co-Op leaves some in shock. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://calgary.citynews.ca/2025/02/28/takedown-security-guard-calgary-coop-video/
Government of Canada (2025, March 7). Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46). Justice Laws Website. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-494.html
Government of Canada (2025, March 7). Protection of Persons Administering and Enforcing the Law. Justice Laws Website. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-3.html#h-115622