Should a security guard try to stop a robbery?

No. Police advise cooperating and not resisting, because money can be replaced and people cannot. Observe carefully, then call 911 once the robber has left.

Can a guard arrest a robber?

Section 494 of the Criminal Code allows anyone to arrest a person they find committing an indictable offence, but the person must be handed to police right away. Chasing or fighting an armed robber puts everyone at risk, so safety comes first.

What should I do with a fake bank note?

Politely refuse it, ask for another note, and suggest the person take the suspect note to police. Tell your supervisor and local police, following your site's procedure.

Do these rules apply in every province?

The Criminal Code applies across Canada. Workplace rules for working alone and late-night retail are provincial, so check your province's occupational health and safety law. This course uses B.C. and Alberta as examples.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Cash Handling and Robbery Response Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

What is the main goal of keeping only a small amount of cash in a till or register?

To reduce what a robber can take and make the site a less attractive target
To keep customers from asking for change
To lower the bank fees charged on each deposit the business makes
To make the end-of-shift count faster and cut down on counting mistakes

Show answer

Answer: A. To reduce what a robber can take and make the site a less attractive target

Police crime prevention advice says to keep as little cash in the drawer as possible and move extra cash to a safe. Less cash means less reward for a robber.

Question 2 of 25

Where should extra cash that is not needed at the till be placed?

In an unlocked drawer under the counter, where staff can reach it quickly
In a drop safe or time-lock safe that the cashier cannot open
In the guard's pocket until the end of the shift
In a bag in the staff room

Show answer

Answer: B. In a drop safe or time-lock safe that the cashier cannot open

Police advice is to set a cash limit and deposit extra cash in a safe the cashier cannot open. Then staff cannot be forced to hand it over.

Question 3 of 25

Why should bank deposit times and routes be changed often?

So no one watching can predict when and where cash will be moving
So the guard gets more exercise
So the bank does not get busy
Because the law sets a different route each day

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Answer: A. So no one watching can predict when and where cash will be moving

Police advise varying deposit times and routes. A fixed routine makes it easy for a criminal to plan an attack.

Question 4 of 25

During a cash escort to a bank, what should the cash bag look like?

A clear bag so people can see it is only coins
It does not matter how the bag looks
Plain and disguised, so it does not look like a cash bag
A bright bank bag with the company logo, so people know it is guarded

Show answer

Answer: C. Plain and disguised, so it does not look like a cash bag

Police advice is to disguise your cash bag. A bag that shouts 'money' tells everyone what you are carrying.

Question 5 of 25

Under the Criminal Code, what turns a theft into a robbery?

Stealing from a business at night, after it has closed for the day
Using or threatening violence, or being armed, while stealing from a person
Stealing from a business instead of a home
Stealing goods worth more than $5,000 from a store or other business

Show answer

Answer: B. Using or threatening violence, or being armed, while stealing from a person

Section 343 of the Criminal Code defines robbery as theft combined with violence or threats of violence, assault with intent to steal, or theft while armed with a weapon or imitation.

Question 6 of 25

A person points what looks like a toy gun at a cashier and demands money. How should staff treat the weapon?

As real and loaded
As a joke unless the person says it is real
As real only if the person fires it
As fake, because it looks like a toy

Show answer

Answer: A. As real and loaded

Police advice is to treat any weapon as real and believe any claim of a weapon. Being armed with an imitation weapon still counts as robbery under the Criminal Code.

Question 7 of 25

What is the best thing to do during a robbery?

Refuse to open the till
Grab the robber's weapon when they look away
Stay calm and cooperate with the robber's demands
Argue and try to delay the robber until police arrive

Show answer

Answer: C. Stay calm and cooperate with the robber's demands

Police advise staff to stay calm and cooperate. Money can be replaced; people cannot.

Question 8 of 25

During a robbery you need to reach under the counter. What should you do first?

Tell the robber what you are about to do before you move
Ask a customer to do it for you
Move quickly and quietly so the robber does not notice the movement
Wait until the robber turns around

Show answer

Answer: A. Tell the robber what you are about to do before you move

Sudden or hidden movements can scare a nervous robber. Police advise explaining any movement before you make it.

Question 9 of 25

When should a silent holdup alarm be pressed during a robbery?

Never, because alarms are illegal
Only if you can do it without the robber noticing
Right away, even if the robber is watching
Only after the robber asks you to

Show answer

Answer: B. Only if you can do it without the robber noticing

Police advise using a silent alarm only if it can be done safely and unseen; otherwise wait until the robber has left.

Question 10 of 25

There are three robbers. What is the best way to observe them?

Study the one closest to you in detail
Try to remember a little about each one
Do not look at any of them at all
Stare at each robber in turn so they know you are watching

Show answer

Answer: A. Study the one closest to you in detail

Police advice is to focus on the robber closest to you. One good description is more useful than three vague ones.

Question 11 of 25

The robber runs out of the store with the cash. What should the guard do?

Follow the robber's car in your own vehicle so you can keep it in sight
Note the direction of travel and any vehicle, then call 911
Block the door so the robber cannot leave
Chase the robber on foot so you can try to get the money back

Show answer

Answer: B. Note the direction of travel and any vehicle, then call 911

Police advise not to chase the robber. Note the direction, the vehicle and its licence plate if you can, and call 911.

Question 12 of 25

What should be done with the store's doors right after a robber leaves?

Open them so witnesses can go home
Prop them open so police can get in easily
Leave them as they are and keep serving customers
Lock them and keep them locked until police arrive

Show answer

Answer: D. Lock them and keep them locked until police arrive

Locking the doors protects staff if the robber returns and keeps the scene intact for police.

Question 13 of 25

After a robbery, why should witnesses NOT compare stories with each other?

It makes the store look bad to customers
Police do not want any witness statements
It is an offence under the Criminal Code to discuss a robbery before a trial
Talking can change memories, so each person's account should stay their own

Show answer

Answer: D. Talking can change memories, so each person's account should stay their own

Police advise not discussing the robbery or comparing accounts. Each witness should write down what they personally saw and heard.

Question 14 of 25

After a robbery, a witness wants to leave before police arrive. What should you do?

Let them go without asking for anything
Politely ask them to stay until police arrive, and note their name and contact details
Lock them in the store
Tell them they will be charged with an offence if they leave before police arrive

Show answer

Answer: B. Politely ask them to stay until police arrive, and note their name and contact details

Police advice is to ask witnesses to stay. You cannot force a witness to stay, but you can ask and record their details.

Question 15 of 25

When should you write down your description of the robber?

While the robber is still in the store
As soon as it is safe after the robber leaves
The next day, after a night's sleep
Only if police ask for it a week later

Show answer

Answer: B. As soon as it is safe after the robber leaves

Memory fades quickly. Police advise writing down height, build, clothing, weapon, voice and other features as soon as it is safe.

Question 16 of 25

Under the Criminal Code, a security guard who arrests someone must do what next?

Hold them in the back office until the manager decides what to do next
Take their photo and let them go
Drive them to their home
Hand the person over to a peace officer right away

Show answer

Answer: D. Hand the person over to a peace officer right away

Section 494 says anyone other than a peace officer who arrests a person must deliver them to a peace officer forthwith. Even so, safety comes first and chasing a robber is not advised.

Question 17 of 25

Which check on a Canadian polymer bank note involves running your fingers over the portrait and large number?

Flip the note
Look at the window
Feel for raised ink
Tilt the note

Show answer

Answer: C. Feel for raised ink

The Bank of Canada says the portrait, large number and the words 'Bank of Canada' should feel raised.

Question 18 of 25

On a genuine polymer bank note, what should you see when you flip the note over?

The portrait disappears
The window becomes cloudy
The metallic portrait in the window matches the large portrait on the front
The note number changes

Show answer

Answer: C. The metallic portrait in the window matches the large portrait on the front

The Bank of Canada says the metallic portrait in the transparent window should match the large portrait on the front, seen from both sides.

Question 19 of 25

A customer gives you a note you think is counterfeit. What should you do?

Keep the note and tell the customer to leave
Accept it, keep it separate in the till, and hand it in with the next bank deposit
Accuse the customer of fraud in front of others
Stay polite, refuse the note, ask for another one and suggest they take it to police

Show answer

Answer: D. Stay polite, refuse the note, ask for another one and suggest they take it to police

The Bank of Canada advises staying courteous, because the person may not know the note is fake, refusing it, and advising them to take it to police.

Question 20 of 25

Who usually bears the loss when a business accepts a counterfeit note?

The business or person who accepted it
The Bank of Canada
The police
The customer's bank

Show answer

Answer: A. The business or person who accepted it

The Bank of Canada says there is no reimbursement for counterfeit notes, so the person who accepts one generally takes the loss.

Question 21 of 25

In British Columbia, what does the OHS Regulation require for a worker alone in a gas station or convenience store?

A guard dog on site
A cash drawer with at least $500
A written procedure for handling money safely
A firearm kept behind the counter

Show answer

Answer: C. A written procedure for handling money safely

WorkSafeBC's section 4.22.1 requires a written safe cash-handling procedure for lone workers in late-night retail premises.

Question 22 of 25

Under B.C.'s late-night retail rules, what are 'late night hours'?

9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Any time after sunset
11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Midnight to 8:00 a.m.

Show answer

Answer: C. 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Section 4.22.1 of B.C.'s OHS Regulation defines late night hours as any time between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Question 23 of 25

In B.C., one option for protecting a lone late-night retail worker is a violence prevention program. Which item is part of it?

A sign telling customers exactly how much cash is kept in the till overnight
Letting the worker handle all lottery tickets on the counter
A time-lock safe that cannot be opened during late-night hours
Covering the windows so no one can see in

Show answer

Answer: C. A time-lock safe that cannot be opened during late-night hours

The program includes a time-lock safe, good visibility, limited access, video surveillance, signs about the safe and cameras, and a monitored personal emergency transmitter.

Question 24 of 25

In Alberta, what must an employer give a retail fuel or convenience store worker who works alone?

A baton and handcuffs, with training in how to use them
A personal emergency transmitter monitored by the employer or a designate
A key to the time-lock safe so cash can be reached in an emergency at night
A company vehicle

Show answer

Answer: B. A personal emergency transmitter monitored by the employer or a designate

Alberta's working-alone guidance says these workers must have a monitored personal emergency transmitter, worn at all times while working alone.

Question 25 of 25

Why do police advise keeping store windows clear of posters?

So staff can see out and people outside can see in
Because security cameras cannot record through glass that has posters on it
So the store looks bigger
Because posters on windows are always against the Fire Code

Show answer

Answer: A. So staff can see out and people outside can see in

Clear windows let passers-by and police see what is happening inside, which discourages robbery.

Cash Handling and Robbery Response Course 2026

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