Security Guards

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…

Conflict management and de-escalation are critical skills for security professionals in Canada and around the world. On top of the many challenges related to ensuring safety and gaining compliance, there are significant potential legal issues to consider. In this article we will explore liabilities related to criminal law, civil justice, and human rights legislation, as…

Conflict is a natural part of any relationship, particularly in professional settings where diverse personalities, external pressures and competing agendas converge. Effectively managing conflict and finding the best solutions requires an understanding of the psychology underpinning people’s confrontational and sometimes aggressive behavior. This article explores the different types and forms of aggression, how “triggers” motivate…

In today’s fast-paced world conflict is inevitable. It’s present in our personal relationships, with our co-workers and even some of our brief public interactions. Our ability to navigate these conflicts effectively is a crucial skill for nurturing these relationships, while still achieving our goals. De-escalation is a series of strategies and techniques, often used by…