Security Guards

A guard in downtown Toronto is working a late shift at a shopping mall. Near the entrance, a man is pacing back and forth, muttering loudly and swearing at no one in particular.  Shoppers are nervous.  Some avoid the entrance altogether. The guard approaches, knowing this situation could escalate quickly.   This type of encounter…

An Essential Guide for Canadian Security Guards   Conflict is part of everyday life in private security. Whether you’re posted at a mall, hospital, residential complex, industrial site, or commercial tower, you will eventually face people who are upset, frustrated, or in direct disagreement with others—or with you. Experienced security guards know that not all…

On June 5, 2025, Ontario’s Bill 10: Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act received Royal Assent. One of the purposes of this act is to address the ongoing problem with illicit drug activities in public and private spaces, including event venues such as night clubs and concert venues. It does this by…

On April 10, 2025, in downtown Vancouver, every security guard’s worst fear happened.  While performing his duties, an experienced 62-year old security guard was attacked and seriously injured by a man who bit off the tip of his finger.  While it could have certainly been much worse, having part of one’s finger bitten off by…

Security guards regularly encounter individuals who refuse to comply with reasonable, lawful requests.  Whether they are a trespasser, are intoxicated, or simply being disruptive or abusive towards others, it is a security guard’s job to intervene and resolve the issue. Much of the time, good verbal and non-verbal communication skills can lead to voluntary cooperation. Unfortunately,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…