Succeeding as a Security Guard: Do You Have What it Takes?
Security guards play a crucial role in maintaining safety and order in a variety of settings. Be it retail, corporate, healthcare, or private events, their contributions are essential for protecting both people and property. Private security guards vastly outnumber police in Canada. For example, as of March 2023 there were 132,419 licenced security guards…
Read MoreConflict Prevention, De-Escalation and the Public-Police Interactions Training Aid
While conflict is a part of everyone’s life, for security guards it is a daily reality. Whether they are handling disputes in a retail environment, reducing tensions at public gatherings, or engaging in challenging interactions in private spaces, the way conflict is managed can dictate whether the situation escalates or gets resolved peacefully. A…
Read MoreLearning from Tragedy: The Importance of Situational Awareness and Personal Safety for Security Guards
The tragic death of 20-year-old security guard Harshandeep Singh at an apartment complex in Edmonton on December 6, 2024, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of situational awareness and personal safety skills for security professionals. Singh, a business administration student at NorQuest College with aspirations of becoming a police officer, was working his…
Read MoreUnlocking the Power of Active Listening: A Guide for Security Guards
In the fast-paced world of security, effective communication is key. As a security guard, you are often the first point of contact in various highly sensitive situations. Whether you are interacting with the public, coordinating with local law enforcement, or de-escalating an agitated person, strong communication skills are essential. A crucial, but often overlooked communication…
Read MoreThe Crucial Need for Security Training: Lessons from Dollarama
In a recent incident that has sparked widespread media attention, a security guard in Toronto was charged with assault following a confrontation with a customer at a local Dollarama store. Not only did this incident result in legal and reputational consequences, it has also helped shine a light on an ongoing discussion about the…
Read MoreBoosting Your Situational Awareness
What is Situational Awareness? Have you ever had a feeling that something specific was about to happen, and then it did? That wasn’t clairvoyance. It was your situational awareness kicking in! If you are working in an industry like security and loss prevention, situational awareness is an essential skill. The ability to perceive…
Read MoreSecurity Guard or Security Officer? Understanding Ontario’s Title Restrictions.
Private security guards are critical to maintaining the safety of people and the protection of property in a variety of settings, from retail malls, to office buildings, and more. With such responsibility, it is no surprise that this is a role bound by strict regulations. Presently, the role of security guards and private investigators in…
Read MoreThe Role of a Security Guard in Ontario
Security guards play an essential role in the protection of people, property, information and assets. They are often the front-line of defense in various settings such as shopping malls, industrial sites, corporate and residential buildings. As crime rates fluctuate and public policing resources become stretched, the need for private security guards continues to increase. For…
Read MoreThe Power of Perception: Practical Exercises to Improve Your Loss Prevention Skills
The ability to skillfully observe and assess their surroundings is what sets the great loss prevention officers (LPOs) from the mediocre ones. If you yourself are an aspiring LPO, developing strong observation skills is paramount. This goes beyond just keeping a watchful eye out for suspicious behaviour; it involves understanding your environment, recognizing patterns, and…
Read MoreHow To Get My Criminal Record Check
The process for becoming a Security Guard or Private Investigator is highly regulated in Ontario, and much of Canada. There are several crucial steps involved in obtaining your license. One of the most significant steps is passing a criminal record check. Both roles involve a high level of trust, and are highly focused on integrity…
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