On February 28, 2026, a violent incident between a security guard and an alleged shoplifter was caught on video. The incident took place at a Winnipeg Dollarama. The video was posted online and has caught the attention of media outlets, activists, and government officials alike.
In the video, part of which can be viewed here, a security guard stands over the man as he lies on the floor. The guard proceeds to shout angrily at the man, while stomping on his torso and striking him in the face with what appear to be brass knuckles. It is alleged that the shoplifter had first threatened and assaulted the guard, but at the time of the video was very much in a defensive position on the floor.
The shoplifter now faces charges of robbery and uttering threats. For his conduct, the guard also faces charges of uttering threats, assault with a weapon, and unauthorized possession of brass knuckles (a prohibited weapon in Canada).
The incident has sparked outrage and protests in front of both the Dollarama, and the security company that employs the guard. It has also renewed debate about private security training standards, use of force, as well as cultural sensitivity issues.
Incidents like this are a stark reminder of the importance of mandatory training, professional standards, and strong oversight. One moment of poor judgement can damage careers, harm members of the public, and undermine trust in the entire profession.
In One Moment, An Entire Industry’s Reputation is Harmed
Private security guards far outnumber public police officers in Canada. You will find them in hospitals, shopping malls, office towers, and retail stores across the country. Their role? Protect the people and property in and related to their clients. The vast majority of security guards perform their roles with competency, compassion, and professionalism.
Yet all it takes is one incident like this, spread across social media, to cast the entire industry in a poor light. When the public watches this video, they don’t see the individual wearing the uniform. They see the uniform. It’s a security guard assaulting someone who does not appear to be posing an imminent threat. The truth is that it was this individual guard’s personal decision to behave that way. Unfortunately, he carried the reputation of the security industry on his back as well.
As a result of the guard’s actions, protests took place outside of the Dollarama and the guard’s employer. This triggered further media coverage. Now both organizations are focused heavily on brand damage control. The Manitoba government is also facing scrutiny and pressure to increase the regulation of private security in the province. Underscoring all of this is the erosion of public trust.
Let’s take a look at three concerning factors from this incident.
Factor One: The Shocking Use of a Prohibited Weapon
While much of what we see in the video is concerning, most shocking is the guard’s use of brass knuckles to strike the man.
Brass knuckles, or similar items, are prohibited weapons in Canada. Even possessing them is illegal for civilians, let alone using them. Obviously, security guards are not authorized to carry them. Presumably, they were not permitted or provided by the security company. It’s most likely that the guard brought them with him from home.
While there can certainly be questions and debate over whether the guard had the authority to use force in this situation, and whether the force used was reasonable, there is no justification for the brass knuckles. That fact alone creates serious criminal and civil liability.
Training programs across Canada stress that security guards can only carry weapons that are authorized by law, such as batons, and only if authorized by their employer. Even baton use is fairly rare, largely because of the risk and liability that goes along with their use in the field.
Factor Two: The Lawful Application of Force
Security guards, like all citizens, have a variety of use-of-force authorities available to them from the Canadian Criminal Code. However, any use of force must be considered as the option of last resort, and must be no more than is necessary in the circumstances. Force used out of anger or for retribution is never allowed.
It is important to note that this video shows only a snippet of the entire interaction. We do not see what led to the guard striking the shoplifter, or how he ended up on the floor with the guard standing over him. It is suggested that the man threatened and assaulted the guard prior to the video beginning. However, during the events caught on video, the man appeared to be in a vulnerable, defensive position. He did not appear to be attempting to continue an assault against the guard.
Use of force training programs emphasize that force must be necessary, proportionate, and stop once the threat stops. Even if force was necessary prior to the video, there does not appear to be an ongoing or imminent threat to the guard. Therefore, the continued use of force by the guard will be hard to justify. There is also the question of proportionality. Did the shoplifter’s behavior warrant being stomped on, and punched in the head? That’s a question that the courts will now decide.
Factor Three: Emotional Escalation
Another concerning observation involves the guard shouting threats at the man during the interaction. At one point, the guard can be heard yelling, “Stay down or I’ll f*cking kill you. Try me.” The guard’s paraverbals (tone, volume and cadence) during the video, accompanied by verbal threats and sporadic acts of violence towards the man as he lay on the floor, suggest a lack of emotional control. This behaviour is not indicative of someone professionally managing the situation, but of one emotionally consumed by it.
One of the primary goals of security training is to prevent exactly this from happening. The nature of the role means that security guards will regularly engage in emotionally charged situations. They will be insulted, threatened, ridiculed, and more. They must learn how to regulate their emotions during confrontations and remain capable of controlled, deliberate, and well-reasoned behaviour. Without this ability, emotions push people towards impulsive actions, often with regrettable consequences.
Why Effective Training Matters
Viral incidents like this highlight what some might call “A lack of training standards” in the industry. Across Canada, the amount of minimum training required to become a licenced security guard varies between provinces. It is common for guards to be required to complete a short basic-level course and pass a written exam. After that, training is left to security companies and the ambitions of individual security guards.
These licensing courses are designed to cover the basics in communication, legal authorities, and security fundamentals. However, they often lack hands-on training, including scenarios where guards can safely practice their new skills. This creates a gap between knowledge and skill, which can be dangerous. Without training-based skill development, guards are left to their fear-based instinctual responses, which are focused on survival. Our instincts aren’t concerned with policies and procedures when faced with threatening situations.
Professional training teaches guards how to regulate their emotions and follow structured decision-making processes. Guards with good training learn how to:
- Recognize pre-assault indicators in the subject’s behaviour.
- Use verbal and non-verbal communication strategies effectively.
- Maintain situational awareness, reactionary gaps, and tactical positioning.
- Apply their legal authorities accurately and effectively.
- Utilize reasonable force with skill, care, and control.
- Accurately document incidents.
Well-trained security guards are professional security guards.
Legal Consequences
When faced with criminal acts, violence, and confrontational behaviour, the decisions that security guards make can have far-reaching consequences. The potential for criminal charges against them are just one of the risks. Guards may also face:
- Civil lawsuits (which may affect their employer and their client).
- Loss of their security guard licence.
- Loss of their employment.
- Damaged reputations.
- Physical injuries.
Due to the significant liabilities involved with the role of security, employers have a legal duty to ensure that their employees receive proper training and supervision. When incidents hit the news, people start asking what training the guards received, whether it was adequate, and whether it was followed. In court, the same questions will be asked by the judge or jury. Good training is risk management.
Lessons for Security
The recent incident at the Winnipeg Dollarama offers several clear lessons for those working in the security profession.
- Weapons have no place in the performance of duty unless specifically authorized by law and employer policy. Prohibited weapons like brass knuckles are neither of those things.
- When faced with high-stress situations, guards must be able to regulate their emotions and maintain self-control.
- The use of force, while possibly authorized, must be considered an option of last resort.
- The majority of conflicts can be resolved through good communication and patience.
- Regular and ongoing training isn’t nice to have; it’s a need to have.
Conclusion
Every day, thousands of security guards are hard at work across Canada. They are protecting their client’s people, property, and assets. They are preventing thefts, managing conflicts, and helping the vulnerable.
There is little fanfare for the guards out there doing their jobs with professionalism and dedication. Unfortunately, one viral video of a guard acting contrary to expectations can overshadow the great work of the rest of the industry. Out of incidents like this it is that it shines a bright light on the existing weaknesses in the industry, and motivates both private companies and government agencies to improve regulations and training standards. Training protects the guards. Training protects the public. Training protects the credibility and reputation of the entire industry.
Fortunately, there is a wide array of great training programs out there. For example, SecurityGuardCourse.ca offers many courses on topics such as use of force, loss prevention, communication, private investigation, first aid, and many more!
References
CityNews. (2026). Winnipeg security guard charged with using brass knuckles in Dollarama incident [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJwts8uKGMU
Criminal Notebook. (n.d.). Definition of weapons: Brass knuckles. Criminal Notebook. https://criminalnotebook.ca/index.php/Definition_of_Weapons#Brass_Knuckles
Honeybun, E., & Ross, J. (2026, March 3). Winnipeg security guard charged following Dollarama incident where he used brass knuckles. APTN News. https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/winnipeg-security-guard-charged/