Use of Force Training

On April 23, 2025, a Bush concert at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC made headlines for all the wrong reasons. During the performance, event security guards were involved in several physical altercations with concertgoers. According to news reports from agencies such as Global News and Oak Bay News, some witnesses felt that the security guards…

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…

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…

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…

Introduction   Given the nature of their role, and the role of private security in general, security guards may be required to use force from time to time. It may be required to protect themselves or others, protect property, prevent crimes, and apprehend offenders. However, it is crucial that security professionals exercise their authority judiciously,…

Many new Security Guards are unaware that Use of Force training is not mandatory to work in bars or nightclubs as bar security or bouncers. Currently, no training standards exist in Ontario for what is or is not appropriate Use of Force training for licensed private security. Often, martial arts style training is marketed to…

Courts follow best practices when determining if a person is properly “trained” but this is not legislated.  What the courts do look at is, based on a balance of probabilities, did the person remember their training, and did the employer go far enough to ensure that the guard had proper refresher training within a period…

Now you can complete your Use of Force and Passive Handcuffing Certificate online. We are often asked questions such as: Can Security Guards use force and handcuff people while working? Are Security Guards allowed to carry handcuffs? What kind of training or certification is required? Do some provinces have different use of force rules than…

Reality vs Fiction There is NO mandatory use of force, physical skills, or hands on training required by legislation, (other than the theory contained in all basic licensing training), ANYWHERE in Canada, except in B.C.  There is also no mandatory training, prescribed by legislation, required to carry handcuffs in Canada. (B.C. excepted again. See current…

Use of Force – How to recognize signs of Aggression and Potential Attack There are circumstances under Section 25 of the Criminal Code (Canada)that provide protection for a Security Guard who uses force on the job, however; it also holds the guard accountable for his or her actions. This means if a guard uses excessive…