Can store security search my bag?

Security staff have no general power to search. A search needs your real consent or another lawful basis. If you refuse, staff must follow their policy and may call police.

Can loss prevention staff arrest a shoplifter?

Yes, the Criminal Code allows the owner or a person they authorize to arrest someone found committing a criminal offence on the property, and they must hand the person to police right away. Many stores limit arrests by policy.

Should I chase a shoplifter?

Usually no. Chases cause injuries and accidents, and most stores have no-chase policies. Call 911 and give a good description instead.

How long does the course take?

The five lessons take about 15 minutes to read. The final test has 25 questions and you need 80% to pass.

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.

Retail Loss Prevention Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Under section 322 of the Criminal Code, theft involves taking something without colour of right and with what intent?

To damage it
To use it for more than one day
To deprive the owner of it, even temporarily
To sell it for a profit

Show answer

Answer: C. To deprive the owner of it, even temporarily

Section 322 says theft is taking or converting something fraudulently and without colour of right, with intent such as depriving the owner of it, temporarily or absolutely.

Question 2 of 25

Under the Criminal Code, theft becomes the more serious "theft over" offence when the value is more than what amount?

$1,000
$500
$5,000
$10,000

Show answer

Answer: C. $5,000

Section 334 sets the line at $5,000. Theft over $5,000 has a much higher maximum sentence.

Question 3 of 25

Under section 494(2) of the Criminal Code, who may arrest a person found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to a store's property?

Any customer who sees it
The owner, a person in lawful possession, or a person they authorize, such as loss prevention staff
Only police officers
Only the store manager

Show answer

Answer: B. The owner, a person in lawful possession, or a person they authorize, such as loss prevention staff

Section 494(2) gives this power to property owners, lawful possessors and people they authorize. Store policy may still limit when staff make arrests.

Question 4 of 25

Section 494(2) allows an arrest "within a reasonable time" after the offence, but only when the person arresting believes on reasonable grounds of what?

That the item cost more than $5,000
That the person has stolen before
That the store manager agrees
That it is not feasible in the circumstances for a peace officer to make the arrest

Show answer

Answer: D. That it is not feasible in the circumstances for a peace officer to make the arrest

A delayed arrest is allowed only within a reasonable time and when it is not feasible for police to make the arrest.

Question 5 of 25

You arrest a shoplifter under the Criminal Code. What must you do with the person?

Hold them until they sign a confession
Take their photo and let them go
Release them once the item is returned
Deliver them to a peace officer right away

Show answer

Answer: D. Deliver them to a peace officer right away

Section 494(3) says anyone other than a peace officer who arrests without a warrant must deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith.

Question 6 of 25

If force is needed to make a lawful arrest, how much does section 25 of the Criminal Code allow?

The same amount the store policy lists for every case
Enough to teach the person a lesson
Any amount, because the person committed a crime
As much as is necessary, acting on reasonable grounds

Show answer

Answer: D. As much as is necessary, acting on reasonable grounds

Section 25 protects people acting under legal authority who use only as much force as is necessary. Excessive force is a crime.

Question 7 of 25

A customer you suspect of theft refuses to let you look in their bag. What is correct?

You may hold the person until they open it
You may take the bag because you are security
You may search the bag if a manager agrees
You cannot force a search; follow store policy and call police if you have grounds

Show answer

Answer: D. You cannot force a search; follow store policy and call police if you have grounds

Security staff have no general power to search. A search needs real consent or another lawful basis, and searching without authority can be an assault.

Question 8 of 25

Many retailers require several elements before staff stop a suspected shoplifter. Which list matches common practice?

See the person select the item, conceal it, keep watching them, and see them pass the last point of sale without paying
See the person pick up an item in the store
See the person look nervous and carry a large bag
Hear from another customer that the person stole

Show answer

Answer: A. See the person select the item, conceal it, keep watching them, and see them pass the last point of sale without paying

Seeing each step and keeping continuous watch helps make sure you saw an offence. A stop without that certainty risks a false arrest.

Question 9 of 25

You lose sight of a suspect for a minute before they leave the store. What should you do?

Follow them to their car and block it
Do not stop them, because they may have put the item back or dropped it
Stop them anyway, since you saw the item earlier
Ask another customer whether the item was dumped

Show answer

Answer: B. Do not stop them, because they may have put the item back or dropped it

A break in observation creates doubt. Stopping someone who no longer has the item can lead to a false arrest and a lawsuit.

Question 10 of 25

A suspected shoplifter pulls out a knife when you approach. What should you do?

Back away, let them go, call 911 and note their description
Keep holding the bag until police come
Try to take the knife away
Chase them into the parking lot

Show answer

Answer: A. Back away, let them go, call 911 and note their description

No merchandise is worth a life. Your safety and the safety of others come first; a good description helps police.

Question 11 of 25

Which everyday action best deters shoplifting?

Greeting customers and being attentive and visible
Staying in the back office
Asking every customer to open their bag
Following every customer closely

Show answer

Answer: A. Greeting customers and being attentive and visible

People who plan to steal avoid staff who notice them. Good customer service is one of the strongest deterrents.

Question 12 of 25

How should you decide whom to watch closely?

By what people do, such as concealing items, never by who they are
By their age and clothing
By whether they look wealthy
By their race or language

Show answer

Answer: A. By what people do, such as concealing items, never by who they are

Decisions must be based on behaviour. Profiling people based on personal characteristics is unfair and can break human rights laws.

Question 13 of 25

According to federal privacy guidelines, what should a store do before people enter an area with video surveillance?

Ask each customer to sign a consent form
Hide the cameras so people act normally
Tell police about each recording
Post a clear notice that cameras are in use

Show answer

Answer: D. Post a clear notice that cameras are in use

Privacy guidelines say organizations should post clear, understandable notice of video surveillance, with a contact for questions.

Question 14 of 25

Should a store aim cameras into fitting rooms or washrooms?

Yes, because most theft happens there
Only during busy hours
No, because people have a heightened expectation of privacy there
Yes, if a sign is posted

Show answer

Answer: C. No, because people have a heightened expectation of privacy there

Federal guidelines say cameras should not be aimed at areas where people have a heightened expectation of privacy, such as washrooms.

Question 15 of 25

How long should a store keep video recordings?

Forever, in case they are needed
Until the camera memory is full, then share them online
Only as long as needed for the purpose of the surveillance, then destroy them securely
Exactly one year by law in every province

Show answer

Answer: C. Only as long as needed for the purpose of the surveillance, then destroy them securely

Recordings should be kept only as long as necessary to fulfil their purpose and then securely destroyed.

Question 16 of 25

A customer asks to see store video that shows them. What do privacy guidelines say?

People have a right to access images of themselves, with others in the video protected
Staff should email them the full recording at once
They must get a court order first
Customers can never see store video

Show answer

Answer: A. People have a right to access images of themselves, with others in the video protected

Individuals have the right to access images relating to them; other people in the footage should be protected, for example by masking.

Question 17 of 25

Who should be able to view stored surveillance recordings?

Any employee who asks
Only a small number of authorized staff, with recordings kept in a secure place
Anyone who works in the mall
Customers who report a theft

Show answer

Answer: B. Only a small number of authorized staff, with recordings kept in a secure place

Recorded images must be stored securely, and only authorized people should have access.

Question 18 of 25

A person demands cash at your till and says they have a gun. What should you do?

Try to grab the weapon
Refuse and press the alarm in front of them
Follow them out of the store
Stay calm, do what they ask, watch for details and call 911 when it is safe

Show answer

Answer: D. Stay calm, do what they ask, watch for details and call 911 when it is safe

During a robbery, cooperating keeps people safe. Noting descriptions and calling 911 as soon as it is safe helps police.

Question 19 of 25

A store in Ontario has told a person they are banned and may not come back. The person returns. Under the Trespass to Property Act, what is this?

A criminal theft
Legal for the first 30 days
Legal, because stores are open to the public
An offence of entering premises where entry is prohibited

Show answer

Answer: D. An offence of entering premises where entry is prohibited

Under the Act, an occupier or an authorized person can prohibit entry by notice, and entering when entry is prohibited is an offence.

Question 20 of 25

A cashier rings in only some items for a friend and lets the rest go free. What is this called?

Shrink from vendor errors
A loyalty discount
Internal theft, often called sweethearting
A price adjustment

Show answer

Answer: C. Internal theft, often called sweethearting

Employees giving free or discounted goods to friends or family is a form of internal theft that loss prevention watches for.

Question 21 of 25

When should you write your notes about a theft incident?

At the end of the week
Only if police ask for them
Only after talking to the suspect's family
As soon as possible, with facts, times and descriptions

Show answer

Answer: D. As soon as possible, with facts, times and descriptions

Notes made right away are more accurate and carry more weight in court. Write what you saw and did, not guesses.

Question 22 of 25

You recover stolen merchandise after an arrest. What should you do with it?

Give it to the first staff member you see
Let the suspect keep it if they apologize
Put it back on the shelf right away
Keep it secure, record it, and follow policy for handing it to police

Show answer

Answer: D. Keep it secure, record it, and follow policy for handing it to police

Recovered items are evidence. Keeping them secure and recording who handled them protects the chain of evidence.

Question 23 of 25

An older person who seems confused walks out with an unpaid item. What is the best first response?

Shout at them to stop
Ignore it because they are old
Approach calmly and respectfully, ask about the item and involve a manager, watching for signs they need help
Arrest them at once in front of other customers

Show answer

Answer: C. Approach calmly and respectfully, ask about the item and involve a manager, watching for signs they need help

Not every unpaid item is a planned theft. A calm, respectful approach protects the person's dignity and may reveal a medical or memory problem.

Question 24 of 25

A customer complains loudly that you are following them. What should you do?

Ask them to leave the store
Stay polite, offer help, and avoid accusing them
Tell them you know they are a thief
Argue until they calm down

Show answer

Answer: B. Stay polite, offer help, and avoid accusing them

Calm, polite service lowers tension. Accusing someone without seeing an offence can lead to complaints and legal trouble.

Question 25 of 25

A person you saw conceal a $40 item leaves the store and starts running. Your store has a "no chase" policy. What do you do?

Chase them because you saw the theft
Throw something to trip them
Do not chase; note the description and direction and report it
Drive after them in your own car

Show answer

Answer: C. Do not chase; note the description and direction and report it

Chases lead to injuries, traffic accidents and lawsuits. Follow your store policy and give police a good description.

Retail Loss Prevention Course 2026

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